Getting ready for Christmas

 Calvin decided it was time to get rid of his loose tooth and was brave enough to ask his Dad if he would pull it out. J-P couldn't have been more thrilled and immediately got some string and tied it to the hall closet door. 

 Task accomplished! Calvin officially has no front teeth! J-P commented that when he was a boy, he was missing his front teeth when he was three. He ran into a brick wall while running full speed pushing his Tonka Dump Truck. When they grew back in, he smashed them out again when he hit a car on his bike riding with no hands on the handle bars. My husband's middle name is Danger!

 Apparently, people have been complaining about a little nameless ninja who snatches up loose toys, shoes and even crumbs on the floor. Someone was brave enough to snap a photo of this reckless thief who takes things when no one is looking. She is ruthless, cunning, yet a subtlety of charm and I can't help but find her utterly scrumptious! 

 Our nightly snuggle before the chitlins get some shut-eye

 A girl after my own heart.....she can't resist fashion.

 Our beloved little tree all dressed up and ready for Christmas!

 Our stockings all hung by the chimney with care...

 And one little elf,(the kids named Tingo), who flies back to the North Pole every night to tell Santa if every one has been naughty or nice!

 A few sprinkles of Christmas around the house, nothing compared to the Queen Sarah of home decor. She has the best decorations.

 Our German Ginger Bread House. The kids asked me if that was Hansel and Gretal and the witch that tried to eat them. I didn't know what to say, because it does look like that, but then I didn't want the Ginger Bread house to turn into a nightmare! Hey my kids are sensitive, no I don't know where they get that from.;)

Handmade snowflakes made me think of home.

  

 Some merry cheer on the door

 Oranges? We use to get one in the bottom of our stockings every year for Christmas! 

I love that tradition!

 Christmas chains

 Calvin painted this with apples halves, I loved it so much I framed it.

It has nothing to do with Christmas, but I was just snapping away.

 Cosette on vacation from her pjs

 Is that a perfect bod or what? I mean just look at those abs, amazing.

 Our Christmas dog

He wore his flannel shirt with pride

Cosette

 Cosette has so much personality and she is starting to express herself differently. Even her facial expressions are becoming more pronounced. This picture isn't a good example.

 She likes to keep tabs on the goings-on outside. Her high-chair is positioned at 

the window to allow her curiosity to be free.

 She is constantly making us smile and making us say,"Ahh!"

 

I made a cupcake Candy Cane Wonderland for the church Christmas party. 

Thanksgiving Holiday

Thanksgiving was spent at John's ranch in McMinnville.  Jeanette cooked a feast fit for a king and we ate, drank and were merry! The kids went for a hayride which I think is turning into a Macy Thanksgiving tradition.

Oliver was a good sport the whole day even though the night before he was up all night hanging over the toilet. He had a nasty bug and was the only one that got it. Thank goodness.

The newest thing out at the ranch is a rope swing ! 

Grandpa spending some time with Coco. That girl is turning into a stinker!

What's Thanksgiving without relaxing and watching the tube?

I was able to capture John hand mixing whipping cream that took him a good solid
ten minutes with a few breaks due to hand cramps. It was delicious! 

More books.....she actually has book addiction

We went to the McMinnville parade the day after Thanksgiving.  Most of the parade was rained out. Wimps! I thought here in Oregon they do everything rain or shine?

Afterwards, we went to a tree farm and picked out that very special one and
made it our Christmas tree. All the trees regardless of size are $15 and they cut it for you. What a deal, right? That's one plus living in Oregon.

J-P fastened it down snug and tight and we drove our little tree home.

Wishing You a Old Fashioned Thanksgiving!!!

I have never had the gracious opportunity to prepare and cook a Thanksgiving feast, but one of these days, when I can host a proper Thanksgiving dinner, I will.

 I am in love with old fashioned pictures no matter what time of year it is. This Thanksgiving season I found myself looking at some images on-line and thought I would share some my favorites that inspire me to always mix the old with the new.

One year, when we were still living in California, we drove to Oregon to spend Thanksgiving with J-P's father and family. I had checked out a Thanksgiving book from the library 

to take with us, to get us in the spirit of the season. 

The version that we learned from the book that's stuck in my head reads like this:

"Over the river and through the woods to grandfathers's house we go!

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the wood to Grandfather's house away.

We will not stop for doll or top for it's Thanksgiving Day!"

J-P was the one who drove the sleigh(Suburban), and he didn't and doesn't like to stop for anything, he likes to keep on truckin'!

I love the holidays, but I get a bit nostalgic for my family and long to be in their presence this time of year.

May everyone who reads this, have a full thanksgiving of good food, hearty laughter, and the makings of good memories! Love to you all!