Fresh Cut....

On Friday morning we went with some friends to cut down our Christmas tree. It has been a tradition of ours since we got married to cut down our own tree the day after Thanksgiving. It was so cold when we got there and I was not prepared for that, I am in winter denial. The place that we went to was so cool, equipped with a tractor ride out to the tree farm and free hot chocolate. After walking to the end of the field we found our tree. We are trying something new this year and got a softer fluffier tree which I am still debating if I like or not, the ornaments weigh the branches down. I am so happy that we went and got our tree, it really helps it feel like Christmas time and the kids are so excited!


Carlee and Ellie on the tractor ride.


our tree


Dave and Andy showing how strong they are


the finished product, we finally have our tree in front of the window (oh and another droopy star.)

The K Family....

This morning I had the fun opportunity of taking my friends family photos. I have written about this family before, they are awesome and I am so greateful that they are in our lives. To see even more of their family click here.

Kim really likes B&W, and I like color, so I had to add one of my favorite color ones.

The Leaf Sucker Truck....

Last year was our first fall in Ohio and as the leaves started to fall on the ground I started thinking that everyone in this state was nuts. The more the leaves would fall, the more piles of leaves we started to see on the curb (or as they call it here the "tree lawn"). Andy and I had many discussions about what the reasons could be. The one day we say it, the leaf sucker truck. A giant truck with a huge sucker hose comes around and sucks up every ones leaves. It is pretty amazing. I am so used to Utah, where you rake one time, put them in a garbage bag and you are done with it. Not here, here we have raked 4 times already and we still have more leaves to rake. I love the idea of the leaf sucker truck. It encourages people to keep their yards clean and they compost the leaves somehow and recycle them, brilliant if you ask me. So, needless to say, the kids and I are a little obsessed and stand at the front window when the truck comes to our house. It is very entertaining. On this particular day the truck had a malfunction and leaves were flying everywhere, it was snowing leaves, making us even more excited for the upcoming season.

The big messes are always quiet....

Yesterday Tessa was having one of her more clingy days since she only had about a 30 minute nap. We had a busy morning followed up with taking Porter to school, going back to the school to be in the library (I am the checkout person when Porter's class goes in), back home for a quick nap, and then back to the school to pick up Porter. I had to make dinner at some point so I finally just had to set her down and let her figure something out. While I was making dinner and on the phone with a friend, I realized how quiet Tessa was being and thought it was so great....until I turned around. See for yourself.

A few weeks ago I bought that huge box of hot chocolate from Costco, how can you go wrong with all of that for 5 dollars? Anyway, Tessa loves to open the pantry and see what she can get her hands on, she definetly hit the jackpot. I laughed so hard when I saw what she was doing then turned around to finish making dinner. I did not take the packet away, she was too happy and she was going to get a bath anyway.

Feeling Splendiferous....

Today at our local Borders they were having a special Fancy Nancy story hour with crafts, games, and raffle. You were required to wear your best holiday dress in honor of the new Fancy Nancy Christmas book that just came out. We have been a fan of Fancy Nancy for a few years thanks to Aunt D. Fancy Nancy is so cute, funny, and extra girly, right up our ally. We don't have the new Christmas book yet but were lucky enough to have it read to us at the story hour today, very exciting!!

3 in a tub....

Last night all 3 kiddos were in the bath at the same time making things a little crazy and out of control. When Porter started Kindergarten we told him he had to take a shower or a bath by himself because he was getting older, but last night he just wanted to get in on the action, so I let him. It is amazing how much laughter can come from just sitting in a bunch of warm water with your siblings. I remember taking baths with my cousins and loving it. These photos are so going to be in their wedding videos one day.

Put another log on the fire....

Today was such a beautiful day, 60+ degree weather. I drove Summer from one end of Cleveland to the other, looking at the monster houses, eating lunch on the beach, laughing at the guy with his zipper down, hitting the mall, going grocery shopping, eating sloppy joes, singing Reel Big Fish, talking about old boyfriends, smiling about the amazing men we ended up marrying, and the night is just getting started....









The title is for you Dad.

Summer's at my door, literally!!!!!!

Yesterday afternoon while I was folding laundry there was a knock at my door. I looked out the front window and saw my friend Kim's van and just thought "oh, that's cool she is stopping by." I went to open the front door but could not see through the outer glass door because we still have a giant paper Frankenstein hanging on it, although I did notice another pair of feet wearing the exact same shoes I have, but a lot nicer looking and newer. Again I thought "oh, she must have brought Meghan by to visit too." (Meghan is her 15 yr. old daughter who often babysits for us).

I opened the Frankenstein and there was my best friend from high school, Summer, standing there saying Trick-or-Treat!!! I freaked out, shut the door, and started crying. All the while Kim is standing on the porch laughing at me.
I just could not believe it. I have not seen Summer in the longest time. I would have bet a million dollars she was not coming. Summer has 3 kids, a hubby that is working full time and going to school to get a masters degree, I know money is tight. Oh and not to mention she is here without her kids!

Summer has been a great friend for the past 12 years, she has been with me through a lot. It means so much to me that she would come here to visit me, she also came to see us when we lived in Maine.

I feel so loved right now. Lately we have had a lot of visitors of people who love us and care for us. I just want everyone to know how much that means to me. I know how tight money can be (hello Andy does not get paid hourly for is 80+ hours a week he does), I know how hard it is to miss work, school, and put your life on hold to travel, it is not easy. So again, I just need you all to know that your love and kindness means the world to me. You have helped me to feel cared about, loved, and not alone, when I am so far away from all of my family. It is because of you that I have gotten through some of my toughest days.

So now I am off to wake up Summer, I only have her for 2 more days, I need every minutes possible.

We have a walker....

I love this girl she is so cute, funny, smart, sassy, and amazingly sweet.

Boo....(not boob Mike....)

We had a great Halloween, it started out very scary when I had a haircut and left the salon crying because they chopped off my hair, and believe me when I say I took a pre-natal vitamin this morning hoping that it will help my hair to grow faster.
After the tears stopped and Andy returned home from morning football, we got our act together to prepare for our Halloween party. I made chili and frog eye salad which went great with all of the other pot luck items that people brought. It was a very spooky night with food, trick-or-treating, and friends.


The party kiddos, everyone looks so cute!!


The cutest baby witch ever!!


Daddy and his lttle girl.


Carlee the witch and Quidditch Harry Potter (I love his costume, I made it, thank you Lauralee for your guidance.)

Halloween Eve....

We had a wonderful Halloween eve at Porter's school for a parade and party, 60 degree weather, dinner at Martin's Deli (a bay secret) and Bay High's last football game of the season, which made it all the perfect fall day.

Porter's school party was fun, a little stressful because I was in charge, but rewarding in the end. I love seeing him in his element with all of his friends. One thing I noticed about his class is that all of the kids get along so well, and they talk so kindly to one another.


Porter in the parade.


Spider races


The whole class, the little girl in the snow white costume wants to marry Porter.


At the football game, poor "other team" they had no fans there.