Pilgrims, Indians and Thanksgiving

This November we have a lot to be thankful for.  We continue to be thankful to God for our wonderful healthy boys.  We are thankful for Brad being successful with his new work venture.  As the boys would say we are thankful for “our hearts” and for God “strengthening us.” We are thankful for our families, our friends, our home and so many things.  One day I will hit 1000 gifts written down. 
 
This Thanksgiving season both of the boys had performances and feasts at school.  First up was Gavin’s and after the pumpkin pie and fresh whipped cream was made I headed to spend some one on one time with Gavin to hear him sing on stage all the songs he had been practicing. 


We may have heard them before but they never get old.  In fact they cuter each time.  Gobble Gobble Gobble a turkey am I and the You put the turkey in, you take the turkey out….and then you thank the Lord, AMEN!   Gavin was in the front of the line to lead his class of pilgrims and he saw me through the glass doors and was so excited. 
 



He got into all the different characters.  He was chanting like an Indian here.  Ay yah yah yah.


Then Bradley had a special day for the parents in his class.  He made his Indian costume and they sang us Thanksgiving songs but the parents joined in too.  Afterwards he had a feast too with Chic fil a as part of it so he loved that.  Brad was checking out his Indian hat.  He drew him shooting a bear so Brad thought that was awesome him including a gun with blood depicted coming out of the bear.  It’s the small things that can make us proud. 


For Thanksgiving we went to Charlotte and all the family met there at Nathan and Joanie’s. 
We had our third feast of the season and this was the biggest yet.  This was Nathan’s plate loaded up. 
 
Eeek! Livi I think we ate too much food!!
   
Bradley and Aubrey pondering life’s biggest questions.  So tough that Bradley had to wear a helmet. 
 
 
We decided to exchange the gifts for the kids on Thanksgiving since we were all doing our own separate things around the holidays.  With Santa and other family to include it makes it hard to get together (all of us) again.

Jackson got the football he wanted!

Easton literally asked for guns! Seriously?
 
Gavin got the bow and arrow he wanted too. 

Bradley got baseball cards and a baseball bag and ball.  He wanted to be all set for spring.

Aubrey and Livi were so excited to get their American Girl doll bike seats.  Now they can take them riding on their bikes with them.

Bradley was confused as to what it was so he asked her.  So funny how boys and girls are into completely different things.  He said, it’s for your doll??


Gavin being silly with Uncle Bubba

uhhh, ya’ll aren’t watching football are you?

We got these pictures only because Uncle Andrew was up high trying to fix a light in their foyer. 
 
It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and Joanie already said she is hosting again next year! Well, maybe not but it was still great.  

November News

This November started off with a Fall Festival for Bradley’s school.  The PTA raised a lot of money and the kids had lots of fun. 

The big hit was having the Aloha Safari Zoo there and a big snake laying in the middle of the grass.  Also, they brought the pig.  The class who sold the most raffle tickets for each grade got to witness their teacher kissing a pig.  Very cute idea but Bradley’s class did not win.


Gavin is still silly in November.

We had a surprise baby shower for Liz at our HUHF group.  It was complete with a pre Thanksgiving feast and she got lots of baby essentials which was a total blessing.

Another banner made. 

 
We had a great time playing games and enjoying Liz’s favorites with her.  Sonic drinks and Ccups cupcakes. Definitely not hard to love those things.
 
We tried to see Santa early this year at a festival of trees but the line was crazy.  We got a few cute pictures out of it. 






That night we went to a housewarming party for Amanda.  She had the house built and she is a first time homeowner.  So happy for her.  Happiness means letting the kids play with fire? They were totally on Dad territory with that one.  Brad also helped her on moving day and I do have a good picture of that.  I didn’t take too many with my camera at the party.  I honestly was trying for the kids not to ruin her new house that was all still very white inside.


Also in November, Bradley must have liked all the campfires since he decided to build one with a lamp in the hallway.  He set up seats to sit around it.

We thought about all the things we were thankful for.

Easton and Gavin took scissors to their hair and snipped a few good pieces off down to their scalp.
 
Gavin often likes to move his bed stuff down in front of the door and practically barricades it.  I think on this night I had gone out for a girls night out and he was waiting up for me. 

On November 24th, Mike and Liz welcomed baby Amelia Rose Salvog into their hearts and lives. She came on Saturday night and on Sunday morning after church I was able to go see her.  Liz did so great and was so strong. Milly is cute, tiny and rosy red.  She also helps me with my girl baby fever.  Shhhh! So glad to witness a third blessing for this family.