November Random

    November flew by in a blink of an eye!  I can't believe we are in December.  It will be the New Year before we know it! Here are some random pictures from November.  

The elves are back and they brought the kids awesome advent calendars this year

I did more organizing and worked on the game closet

I finally got my fancy tree for the living room.  We still have our family ornament tree, but it is now in the family room.  Having two Christmas trees brings me a lot of joy

Best sisters

We always take advantage of nice days and go on walks

This goofball loves her sunglasses!  

She also loves her swing

Thanksgiving

   Here are some pictures from our Thanksgiving this year.  Thanksgiving looked a little different this year much like everything else has.  There was no Turkey Trot race for me to do this year.  I still woke up and ran a 5k on my treadmill because it makes me feel just a little bit less gluttonous!  We made special turkey cinnamon rolls for the kids.  They got a kick out of them.  We had appetizers for lunch, and then ate our big meal around 2:30. The kids had a blast setting the table this year and actually fought over who got to do what.  It was delicious and we all stuffed ourselves silly!    

   Usually, we are in a bit of hurry to head out for Black Friday shopping.  This year there were no sales, so I have to admit that it was kind of nice to relax and just enjoy the day.  Since we had no sales to go to, we decided to play some Bingo.  The kids loved it when we played at the Gaylord this summer.  We also got prizes for each round.  I think everyone won at least once, but Gracie was the big winner and won the most times.  It was a nice Thanksgiving even during a pandemic.  

Turkey cinnamon rolls

Sweet Emmy wearing her special Thanksgiving shirt

I was trying to get a shot of the shirt, but she really wasn't cooperating

My little helpers

Setting the table

Grace is such a good helper

I tried to get a picture of these two, but Dawson was being a goof ball and wouldn't pose nicely

His annoyed face

Time to eat

This was Bryan's plate.  The plate to the left is also his.  Yes, he ate all of this!   

Ella ate a lot this year!  

Gracie enjoying her food 

Joey smoked a turkey.

What a beaut!  

So much to be thankful for!  

Bingo time

Soccer Tournament

   Before our county got shut back down again, Dawson was able to play in a soccer tournament.  It was a Pride tournament and he got to play with most of his fall team.  It was our first tournament and it was nice that it was only a few minutes from our house.  I didn't attend any of the games because it was limited to only one parent.  I think he had a total of 3 games over the weekend.  They played well and he said he had a great time.  I love that he enjoys soccer so much.  Here are some pictures Joey took.  

Ashlyn is a Teenager

    I can not believe that we have a teenager!!! I know I start each birthday post with that same sentiment, but I really, really can't believe that Ashlyn is officially a teenager!  The day that Ashlyn was born was hands down the best day of my life!  She gave me the best gift ever of being a mother!  I feel so incredibly lucky to be blessed with such an awesome girl.  

      Ashlyn has turned into a typical teenager.  She would now much rather be in her room than hanging out with her parents.  She is adjusting well to middle school.  Sixth grade was a big change from elementary school.  Now that she is in 7th grade, I think she is getting the hang of things a bit more.  She is advanced math and I an amazed at the math she is doing at her age.  She is doing well in all of her classes even though she is doing it virtually.

    Ashlyn is a lot like her mom and she is very introverted.  She would rather be by herself than surrounded by a group of people.  She loves to read and her favorite show is Stranger Things.  She has recently gotten back into Harry Potter and asked for a lot of Harry Potter stuff for Christmas.  She still loves art and likes to create things.  She is OBSESSED with cats and begs us daily for a cat.  (Not happening because of Dad's allergies). She does have her fish and loves taking care of it.  She also got a frog for her tank and loves bringing Emmy in her room to watch the frog.   

She is definitely the oldest and is very bossy and dominant with her younger siblings.  She does help me a lot when I need it and I love that she is at an age that I can delegate more responsibility to her.  Since she is a teenager, she is definitely full of lots of sass and attitude, but I keep reminding myself this is par for the course and I was the same way at her age.

Having a teenager definitely comes with its challenges, but I am so glad we get to go through this new journey with Ashyln. She will always be my first baby and will always have my heart.  Happy birthday sweet girl!!!

My beautiful girl

  Since we are still in middle of a global pandemic, birthdays are still a bit of a challenge.  We are really challenged with a lack of options of ways to celebrate.  Ashlyn decided that she wants to have a party with her friends this summer at Water World.  She decided that having a November birthday isn't much fun.  We plan on doing that this summer.  She went to school on her birthday in person.  After school, we met my family at Olive Garden for dinner.  Olive Garden is Ashlyn's favorite restaurant.  We had an excellent server and a really good dinner.  After dinner, we went back home for cake and presents.  Ashlyn's big gift from us was a Nintendo Switch Lite.  She had really been wanting one.  She got lots of other good stuff from my family.  I think she had a really nice birthday.  

My attempt to take a picture at dinner.  Ashlyn was trying to hide behind her menu

I finally got her to smile

Her cake and flowers.  Ashlyn requested a cake from Diary Queen and it was really good.  

Gram got Ashlyn an Ebelskiver pan so she could make them at home.