The Holidays have begun

The kick off to my favorite time of the year has begun. I just love the Holiday season. I guess in my book it should begin with Halloween because I love that Holiday too. But something in the air happens right around Thanksgiving and lasts until the first of the year that makes my heart feel so good and grateful for every moment I get to spend with family and friends.
We celebrated Thanksgiving over at Tom's dads this year. What a great day. The food was excellent and the company was wonderful as always. The spirit of the Holiday shown through as we all gathered around the tables to feast. The only sad part was missing the rest of our family and their company. But for this particular occasion we have to limit ourselves to one family a year. Just know that the rest of you were in our hearts.
I must say that I love having a birthday in November. The best dessert of all time. Pie, especially pumpkin, can take the place of a birthday cake in a heartbeat! This year for my birthday all I asked for was not to cook. So Laine and Kaylee made me breakfast in bed. Scrambled eggs, bacon and toast. Delicious. Chesney and Jaycie helped me eat it. Then for dinner Tom bbqed some steaks and make mashed potatoes and corn. We were even lucky enough to get some of mom's home made rolls left over from the feast before. What a wonderful dinner. Kaylee snuck past me at the store earlier and bought me a lovely silver necklace that says mom. Absolutely beautiful. Laine and the girls got me some bath salts to help me relax in my tub. And all of them gave me an outfit (that I bought earlier). Such a wonderful family I have. Then we spend the next night at my mother's to celebrate. My grandmother made me a wonderful apron. And my mother made me some crochet teddy bear ornaments and two little animal purses that I asked for in miniature! I love getting my mother's work. I don't think I could ever get enough.
I am so grateful to everyone in making me feel loved. You are all hero's in my book.
We started putting up the Christmas tree and decorating the house for the holidays. I am looking forward to the fun family activities we have in store this year. Making sugar cookies for Santa. Decorating gingerbread houses, and going for a sleigh ride to see the Christmas lights. Then of course, the big day itself with all the fun and excitement brimming. What a wonderful time of year!

Halloween 09

Halloween this year was different to say the least. This was the first year that we stayed home for Halloween. In years past we have always gone to my mothers house for a big Halloween party. This was the first year that she had decided not to do it anymore. Even if she had decided to we would have had to decline our invitation. Laine and Kaylee are old enough now that they want to Trick or Treat with their friends so for the few years they have left to do it we needed to stay put.

With that in mind, it was a good thing that we were home. Halloween was on a Saturday this year. The Monday before Tom came down with the flu. For three days he was home sick. Then on Thursday, Chesney, Jaycie and I came down with a really bad chest cold. Jaycie, I would dare say had the same flu that Daddy had. So Halloween came and no one was up for the festivities.

It did turn out nice though, since we were on the down side of our sickness we still got everyone dressed up and took the little ones out Trick or Treating. Laine was a Werewolf. Kaylee was a Cowgirl. Chesney and Jaycie were both Princesses. I made Kaylee's shirt and both princess outfits. Very proud at my first attempt at something so complicated. Then we just stayed in the rest of the night. Chesney and Jaycie had the most fun answering the door and handing out candy. So all in all a good Halloween.