Where do I start?

I posted one blog post the entire month of November. Two in October. This is not for lack of anything to write about ... just lack of time and energy on my part to write and post. I get mad at myself about this because this blog is my way of documenting life with our family and I don't want to miss a moment. I want to capture it all. So, I am making a resolution now to take more photos and post more blog entries. And to drink more coffee. 

So ... where to begin? How about Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving, or really any holiday, is difficult to plan when we don't live in the same town as any of our family. Add to that the fact that Kevin hasn't had the Friday after Thanksgiving off work in at least 5 years, and it's really tricky. This year we committed to travel to Somerset to celebrate with Kevin's family the Saturday after Thanksgiving. So, we stayed home and enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal with just the four of us on Thanksgiving Day. I can't tell you the last time we were home to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade on TV. And it was so nice to do that. It was a relaxing day, the food was good, and the time spent as a family was precious.

Saturday in Somerset was a whirlwind day, leaving in the morning and getting home late that night. But the time spent with the Platts was wonderful. The kids love being with their cousins, and Kevin and Billy were able to help Joe put up his Christmas lights outside the house and help with a few other items around the house. And I got two pounds of Baxter's coffee to take home with me, so the trip was a major success.

Tuesdays and Thursdays have quickly become our lazy days at home, since the other weekdays are busy between preschool and work. I've come to love these days with my kids. We've spent quite a bit of time working with Warner's new Lego set that he got for his birthday. He can almost build it by himself, which is good since it falls apart constantly. Hopefully Santa will bring him a few more Lego sets to play with this Christmas.

Princess Maren dresses up nearly every day. When she is in full princess mode, I'm not allowed to call her Maren. She insists on Princess Maren, or Princess Belle, or whoever she's dressed up as. Never a dull moment.

 

Dressing up isn't just for Maren. Warner really loves his superhero cape and mask, along with his Hulk costume from Halloween. A few weeks ago he put both of the costumes on together. Then he runs around the house with Maren and they play "Superheroes". This is basically just an excuse to run, scream, and beat the other person with pillows (notice the pillow in Warner's hand in the picture).

The weather has been unseasonably warm the past week or so, and this past weekend we decided to capitalize on this and take the kids putt putting. There is a new course near our home that the kids ask to visit nearly every time we drive by it (which is about every day).

They were pretty good if I do say so myself. It was wonderful to be outside and enjoy the nearly 70 degree weather in December.

We've had a few "book parties" lately with the kids before bed. We get a huge stack of books, a snack (this time is was ice cream), and snuggle on the couch and read until we're either through the pile of books or tired of reading. Usually we're tired of reading first. But it's sweet time with the kids that I cherish.

We're off to Texas this Saturday to visit my parents. Outside of the 15 hour drive, I'm really looking forward to our trip. Here's to hoping I post pictures of our trip before January!