6 years, 11 houses, 13 kids!

This year I KNOW more candy made in into mouths and on the floor rather than on the houses! A rainy, cold Sunday afternoon brought our guests inside for our annual Gingerbread House decorating party. A house full of sugar-filled, rowdy kids made it a successful Sunday and began the season of holiday cheer!

He found us!

While we were out doing some Christmas shopping, Santa found us! I left my kids on a bench outside while I was making a few purchases in a store (yes Mom, you read that correctly...ALONE!) This is what I saw when I came out. Nothing but huge grins ear-to-ear.

Only 6 more months...maybe?

I remember feeling the exact same way about 28 years ago...OUCH! Will got his expander placed yesterday. 28 nights of turning the key to widen his palate and then leaving it there for 5 more months (hopefully) while the palate fuses together. Anything to make a handsome smile.

Free Range ~ Adventure Mom & Dad

A very anticipated girls night turned into a mini-date night as a friend became sick and my husband gladly took her place and joined my friends. We (or at least I) have anxiously been waiting to trapeze for over a year! No, I am not joining the circus yet but this was the best 2 hours I have had in a long time!

Climbing up a 24 rung ladder, feeling your heart start to beat faster and faster, chalking your hands, hearing the harness clink, grabbing the bar, waiting for the READY...HEP!", jumping, finding first position, dropping your hands, grab the bar again, kick your legs 3 times, and back flip to your finale! Then we added a release/catch by an instructor on another trapeze.

We easily fit in 5 rounds and I think most of us will be back again. Each lesson they teach you a new trick or 2!

HK on Trapeze from Steven K on Vimeo.

Free Range ~ Christmas Decorating

I will admit it...I am overly OCD about our Christmas tree. It is tall, fat and beautiful and I have been collecting Christmas balls for years! I don't want anything on my tree except my collection and each year these homemade ornaments (by kids) take over.

This year I surrendered and bought a new tree for the game room upstairs. I handed over all the homemade ornaments and lots of beads to the kids. They were quiet for a good hour and here was their final product. Absolutely gorgeous!!

4 Years Old!

To the most special 4 year old in my world. What was supposed to be an intimate family birthday, turned into a house full of 18 people (all related!) and even more due to arrive today. A truly special day for a special girl.

Happy Thanksgiving!

We rushed downtown this GORGEOUS morning for the Turkey Trot. The kids ran a 1K (0.6 mile). It was Fran's first race ever and her first question this week was "Mommy, what tutu should I wear?" I wonder where she gets that from??

And as always, the best part of the race was the unlimited snacks at the finish line. Happy Thanksgiving!