We WILL cut down a tree today!!!

We needed a tree this weekend. We have decided to do "Santa" on St. Nicholas day and try and make Jesus' birthday a little more sacred and a little less about the presents, so we really needed a tree today, as St. Nick's day is next weekend. So...After driving around for a half an hour, we finally found the Christmas tree farm and it was CLOSED! To make a long story short...we found another one...and 3 hours, lunch, and two screaming kids later, we had our tree! Jody thought it was pretty funny that the farm we finally found was called "Joe's Christmas Tree farm". With gas and lunch, this tree cost about $125.00 :) but we did end up having a fun, crazy trip, as usual with us!

Haircuts all around...

It sure is nice having a hair stylist in the family. Aunt NikNik did an awesome job on EVERYONE's hair, and I do mean everyone! Even my mom and friend Sarah got a new do! She did a fantastic job and Charlie's first haircut was extra special.

Eat, eat, eat!

Thanksgiving food and fun were never better than this week!

Riding the Metro!

We had a great time today riding the metro, Charlie especially enjoyed himself! We visited Arlington National Cemetery and China town.

Thanksgiving Guests

We have Thanksgiving guests! Grammy, Grandpa and Nik Nik have come for a visit!

Daddy's home!

After a boondoggle, oh excuse me, TDY (temporary duty)down to Biloxi for one day...which he turned into five days of leave so he could rent a car and drive down to Baton Rouge to see his entire family and see LSU's homecoming game...(do you feel the jealousy?) Jody is home again! Can you guess what goodies he brought for the kids?

Trash Passes...

We have a family prayer time every night that we refer to as "familytime". Each night one of us takes a turn reading a book, leading the prayers and then doing something fun, like starting a goofy story that we take turns finishing. It has really worked to end the day well, incorporating prayer, reading and snuggle time! The last two nights have been very entertaining, as it has been Grace and Maggie's turns. Grace wanted to say the "Trash Passes" prayer and it took us all a moment to realize she was refering to the Lord's Prayer. (Trespasses...:) It was pretty cute and we tried not to laugh because she is very serious when she is the leader, as is Maggie, who of course can't read yet so dramatizes her stories while creatively explaining the pictures. I got some pics of her "reading" and praying and it was too cute not to share!

Leaves falling...

Our trees have dumped thousands of leaves in our yard in the last three days. It is as if all of a sudden they decided, "It's Fall! We better get going!"
The result is beautiful and the kids had a blast playing in them. Fortunately, Jody has a snow/leaf blower so it wasn't much work.

More Birthday!

Breakfast in bed, a jumpy-jumpy (translation: trampoline), and Chuck E. Cheese. What more could a three year old want? More Birthday!

Pre-Birthday Party!

Maggie turns 3 tomorrow! We had several gifts arrive in the mail today and we just couldn't wait, so we had a pre-Birthday party tonight! She is at the best age for a birthday...no demands for anything in particular, and completely thrilled with everything she gets! Her only request was for Chuck E. Cheese (ugh!)which we will do tomorrow, and Dora cupcakes.

Burke Lake

The schools were out today for teacher conferences so we enjoyed a beautiful morning fishing a little at Burke Lake park.