november days

So much to be grateful for this month!!

These two ♥♥

Her first piggy tails...barely! 

Leftover pumpkin bars

:: fall walks and leftover Halloween candy ::

:: good food, preferably sweet potato fries :: 

:: friday afternoons :: 

:: good brothers + a stolen phone was found ::

 :: the ability to express emotions ::

 :: our world ::

:: art talent ::

:: focusing on those things we are grateful for :: 

 :: a really good burger and some time with my sister and mom ::

:: our home, no matter how messy it is + lipstick, no matter how messy it is ::

:: sibling relationships :: 

 :: Adeline's Christmas tree ::

:: good helpers ::

 :: the chocolate in the cupboard ::

 :: apple cranberry pie ::

 :: sunsets out our back door ::

:: one awesome daddy ::

 :: the grocery store and these two helpers ::

:: a cast that helps keep a broken arm safe + two entertaining kids :: 

:: bananas!! :: 

:: cozy mornings at home + cozy nights at home ::

:: leaves ::

 :: crayons and coloring books and getting to put up Christmas ::

 :: more cozy nights at home!! ♥♥♥ ::

 :: sound of music ::

:: hot chocolate + and enjoying the lights in our town :: 

:: reading and running errands :: 

:: getting a cast off!!! ::

 :: the primary program!! (Taylor was the concluding speaker and he nailed it) ::

:: ending the month with a trip to the festival of trees last night to kick off the Christmas season ::

Looking back at the month of November, I know there were some hard and frustrating days. But I really don't like dwelling on them. It's all in the past and these good days with our little family are the ones I live for. And really, those hard times make me truly appreciate the good ones. I love November!

hosting thanksgiving

This year, Justin's mom asked if we could host the big dinner. I was so okay with it. We are the biggest home bodies and I really love decorating holiday tables (so happy my mom past that love on to me) Plus, it motivates me to deep clean the entire house. :) 

The kids had Wednesday off and were completely bored. I guess they figured I would have fun things planned for all their days off. So wrong. I was trying to get a lot accomplished Wednesday so that Thanksgiving day would be beautiful and calm. I felt both guilty and annoyed (mostly annoyed) that they were acting so miserable. In the end they realized that what I did made me much happier on Thanksgiving day and boredom is a good thing.

The thing we were really looking forward to was watching our town's high school being represented at the Macy's Thanksgiving parade! I loved watching a couple of my friends posting on social media leading up to the big day. Makes me want to go to New York even more! 

When the parade was over Justin took all the kids out on a run while I put primer on our downstairs fireplace and added some last minute touches to the table. By the time they got home, we all got cleaned up and were ready for our grandparents and cousins to come over! We had a very small crowd, but we enjoyed every minute laughing and eating one of the most anticipated meals of the year. 

After the meal we chatted some more, kicked off the season with Polar Express for the kids, and Justin's mom brought Hidden Figures for us adults. I couldn't believe I hadn't seen it yet. So good!!

On this day I felt extra gratitude for Justin's family, cozy homes, food that tastes amazing, and a warm bed to climb into at the end of the day.

an afternoon with mom and dad

Whenever we have a chance to visit grandma and grandpa, we take it. After getting my haircut from my good friend we headed over to their home and soaked up the feeling there. They made us crepes...my dad was in the kitchen making crepes!!! They tasted amazing. Then we checked out the village and laughed and laughed at all the good stories from grandpa.

I just love going home. ♥♥♥