Happy Thanksgiving

WOW!!! We had an amazing Thanksgiving. The kids get a week off school, and we enjoyed using the vacation. This was our first Thanksgiving without Dad, so it was bittersweet. Sweet in that Dad is no longer suffering and now with mom. But bitter in that we miss him dearly.

We headed to Brownwood to visit my brother Chad. His family moved there, and we went last Thanksgiving, so we decided to make it a tradition. My kids are obsessed with his kids, similar ages. So we spent a few days there and soaked up every second.

They have a great house with land. The kids played outdoors the entire time. They have goats, which was a big hit! We spent a day hiking to the largest suspension bridge, deep in the actual heart of Texas!! Outdoor fires, trampoline and smores!

We spent another day fishing and feeding ducks. We also went to an awesome shooting range!!! The boys shot a pistol and a 22, and I did too! I hit a bullseye!!!! We had a picnic in a scenic tower, and even snuck out for the adults to have a date night!!

On our way out of town, we ate lunch in an old train!!! My brothers family was coming to Houston to the next day to spend actual Thanksgiving in Houston. So, Faith Ann requested to spend an extra night with them!!! She did great with her cousins, and rode back home a day after us!! 

Then, I hosted Thanksgiving. We got a group picture with us holding a large picture of dad in the background. It really was an amazing day. Chad and his family stayed with us...so we spent the ENTIRE week with them between our houses!!! Under one roof, and loved every second. SO many laughs!!

We ran to the park to the let kids play while Chad cooked the turkey. I made the dressing and a few other sides. Then, Beau and Kate came over for dinner.  We all pitch in food. It is laid back and wonderful!!!! The kids love their cousins so much, and we treasure this time.

Trent had an adorable Thanksgiving play at school, and we snuck in end of season soccer season party, and Faith Ann is over the moon about her first trophy! As we say goodbye to Fall...we welcome Christmas with a grateful heart. The "first" holiday season after loss is hard. It's bittersweet. But it's also peaceful knowing they are above blessing our time together. Cheers to a Happy Thanksgiving and Holiday season!

Happy Halloween

Halloween season with kids is always fun! FaithAnn thought of her own costume, and I was obsessed...blue Tooth Fairy! She looked precious and was so proud of her idea. Trent was a zombie, which the costume was kind of scary!! And Hunter, surprisingly, wasn't into the costume thing this year! He settled on putting on a ninja tank and calling himself an American Ninja Warrior! 

Trent and FaithAnn had their "Boo Parade" at school. They wear their costumes and hold a book for a parade around the school. I found the perfect books for their costumes and they looked precious! All smiles!

We went to the pumpkin patch a few times, and enjoyed carving the pumpkin. Note to self....wait until the day before Halloween! Yuck! We had to deal with a soggy pumpkin full of bugs! The kids got excited each time we went to the pumpkin patch at church as they looked for the perfect pumpkin!

We did the "Trunk or Treat" at our church. Our neighbor and I decorated our trunk like "Candyland." It was so cute and creative. And Scott and I taught FaithAnn's Sunday school class, and we look forward to doing the boys class too! We have an amazing church that we are so grateful for.

It was raining on actual Halloween night. Bummer! We tried to hurry and go early before it was dark, which wasn't as fun! But, we got a few streets in and buckets filled with candy. So, all in all, it was a success!! Now, we await Thanksgiving with thankful hearts!