Thanksgiving

Well who isn't thankful for 5 day weekends?

Kya's priority on Wednesday was getting some Christmas decorations up so the kids put up and decorated the tree in their room.


We celebrated Thanksgiving at home with our friends, the Johnsons. Last year we made a Thanksgiving quilt to remind us of all that we're thankful for; this year we decorated prayer flags. Therin was thankful for art, Kya for birthdays, Mom for Dad's handy man skills, and Travis for my cooking. I tried Martha Stewart's Mashed Sweet Potato and Russet Potato with Herbs recipe for our Thanksgiving meal; Yum!




Many family and friends were also very successful hunters and provided us with plenty of venison for the coming year. So, much of the weekend was spent cutting, grinding, packaging and freezing venison.








Much of the day today was spent assembling a big girl bed for Kya. Should we say she was more than excited, bouncing off the bed perhaps? It is a little crowded in the kids bedroom now but we have some ideas to remedy that. Venison tacos were on the menu for dinner and Therin read us a book before bed, Hop on Pop, his first. I was a very proud mama tonight looking upon my very big seeming, sleeping children.

Hello Mr. Turkey

Weekend

Nothing exciting happened this weekend; but we were all home and maybe that was why it was such a wonderful weekend.

Therin's New Do

Why do we buy her clothes?

The "gypsy girl" skirt.








Kya dresses up almost every day in the last month. I can't think of a place we've gone recently that she hasn't worn one of these dresses. She hiked the bluffs Sunday in her gypsy girl skirt and high tops-LOVE it!

Grateful

There are days you wonder if anyone appreciates anything that you do and then there are days, like today, that make it all worthwhile.




To Therin, you are like me in so many ways. I will always cherish your thoughtfulness. You have a maturity beyond your years.

To Wendi, thank you for "Monday" gifts and you didn't even know how much I needed it!

To Monica, for all the years of friendship, laughter and support. One day, I hope to repay you. Thank you for the gift of escape and relaxation-so thoughtful and so unexpected!

To my mother and mother-in-law for all of your caring, compassion and empathy.

To an army of great girlfriends: Natalie, Celine, Polly, Wendi, Annette, Lesley, Nora and Alisha; thank you for always being there to listen, feed me, and take you up on the many offers to take my children and give me a break. I SO appreciate all of you!!!!!

To my daycare families, for acknowledging my work and dedication to your children.

MOA weekend

Eating at Big Bowl. Chopsticks are a new experience. We brought them home-hopefully they'll eat as well as they did here if I serve dinner with the chopsticks?





A few more birthday gifts to open.








A sweet mother daughter moment.


Therin-my rock. Always helpful and dependable (and reasonable, unlike someone else I know (see picture below)).

Kya was begging to go to the Mall of America in September (I don't know that she knew what the Mall of America was, just that she wanted to go.). I told her, not then, but maybe for her birthday. So, here we are. Granny came to La Crosse on Friday and accompanied us on the trip. We didn't do much shopping (except for some Christmas presents at REI) but indulged in the rides at the mall and went to the Como Zoo on a very beautiful, 60 some degree November day. We had a lovely time. Thank you Granny!

Some side notes: You may notice that Kya does not have a purse strap in pictures this weekend; she has not abandoned this obsession, it simply broke on the ride to the Cities.
Aunt Ashley may also notice that we have not let go of the Kalahari bracelets yet. I'm tempted to stop the next time we drive by to see what color the bands are that day-do you think we could get in for free if it's a blue day?

4 Years Old!

I was so touched by the number of friends that stopped by yesterday to wish Kya a Happy Birthday! Thank you so much for your generosity!

A walk down birthday lane

Last year's third birthday.


Second birthday.


First birthday.


On her actual birth day. Kya was born at 7:09 a.m. 6lbs. 11 oz. and was 19" long.

Kya is my sunshine. She forces me to really live and enjoy the present with all of her various forms of entertainment and abundant energy. Miss Kya I hope you have a wonderful birthday and a fun 4th year of life!

Therin's book

Therin's book.


Therin went to the park. Then went home.


Then he went upstairs. The end.

I asked Therin tonight if he sounded out all the words himself or if someone helps him. He said the "old timers" in the class (1st graders) help him. I love reading his stories! I am so thankful for these combined classes!