Butterballs.

Who doesn't love a 4-day weekend!?!? These are so rare, that we make the absolute most of them. Jason and I spent Friday night knocking out some laundry and food prep so we could enjoy the holiday weekend that much more. We woke up Thursday morning, and the cooking continued, as we prepared to head to Lancaster for the Lineberger gathering. 

 

Emerson, Scarlet, and I watching the parade at home.

One of my two turkeys.

We spent Thursday in Lancaster, watched the rest of the parade, ate plenty of good food, watched football, and then topped it off with dessert! It was nice enough to even play outside and walk off a little gravy as we chased Emerson in the Jeep! And there's so much we are thankful for. Not just this Thursday in November, but every day.

My other turkey with her Poppy.

A boy and his Uncle.

Great Aunt Norma, Grandma Flowers, and GG...post meal.

Look at my little angel! The light around this girl amazes me.

Friday at home meant we had lots of time to decorate. The tree is up, outside lights and wreathes are complete, and our hearth is decorated and warm. Perfect night for The Wizard of Oz! Emerson has a fascination with tornados, and watched every second.

The true weekend was just getting started when we headed to Toledo Saturday morning for a post-Thanksgiving gathering with the Zielinskis. This was our first trip in the new car that was more than a half hour. Turns out, the DVD player wasn't even  used, since this is what Emerson did the entire trip.

The middle row of seats was perfect for me to hang with Scarlet, for the little bit of time she was awake.

 

She can get toys to her mouth now...and chews on them, and her fists and fingers regularly! Check out those Michelin arms!

 

We got to Toledo just before the OSU vs. Michican game started...

 



This is what the boys look like after Michigan scores.

Cousins.

And this is how we celebrate a win!

The weekends are escaping me in the holiday frenzy. So much to do...so little time. Yes it really is the most wonderful time of the year. I just need an extra weekend in the middle, that no one knows about, to prepare for it.

Sibling love.

In the mornings, we all end up in our bed. Scarlet is usually up a little before Em, and when he wakes, he joins us. Yesterday morning, Em cuddled up and laid his head on Scarlet's belly. She promptly grabbed onto his moptop with both hands and started pulling. Em found this hilarious! He kept going back for more! Love the love.

Welcome to the long weekend!

We are so ready for the long weekend. Of course, who isn't? I've been back to work for 5 weeks now, and while things are going quite well, we all need a little down time. We've also been dealing with battle of the illnesses among the four of us, so looking forward to some extra sleep to help get us all back to healthy. And I always look forward to gobs of mashed potatoes, fill-in-the-blank casserole, making gravy with Grandma, and the parade. God Bless the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! It's one of my favorite holiday traditions.



 

"Come here, Emerson, I just want a little nibble."

 

"Ahhhhh! She's scratching me!"
I swear to all that's good in this world, I will continue trying to get this photo.

Just hangin' out one warm, sunny afternoon.

Thumb-love.

Blankie-love.

Rough day at the office! (This pic was taken at 6:30pm...this is how she stayed until 7am.)

Ohp! Wasn't ready for this picture!

Sooo close to rolling over. I didn't tell her that her brother did it when he was just 10 weeks old.
(She'll be 18 weeks on Monday.)

Mean-Muggin' Scarlet

99 times out of 100, Scarlet has a sweet, angelic smile on her face. Here are some of the other faces that fill up that 1%...

I would not want to meet up with THIS Scarlet in a dark alley!

This is her patronizing look. Playing along with me. "Really, Mom, who takes a picture like this in a cemetery?"

Confused-mean.

Mad-mean.

"Scarlet, I know I said just one picture...but you kept falling over, so I had to take three. Yeesh!"

Girls in White Dresses

This past weekend, Jason and I celebrated our sixth wedding anniversary. We recently watched our wedding video with his best man (whose wedding is coming up next month) and were reminded what an awesome day we had with all of our nearest and dearest. And wow, what fun!

Jason and I usually keep low-key for our anniversary, and this year, kept true to that. We grabbed a burger and a beer at a local restaurant. And it was perfect. We talked a lot about how it seems crazy that it was only six years ago we got married. So much has happened in that six years. We've moved houses. We've both changed jobs. We've lost a Mom. We've welcomed two amazing children into our lives. And how absolutely lucky are we to have had each other through it all.

"A little bit softer now..."

This weekend, we also celebrated Scarlet's baptism. Our sweet little girl was surrounded by friends and family on this important day, including Godparents Aunt Melissa and Uncle Jared. She'll one day know just how lucky she is to have people who care so much about her.

Spencer, Emerson, and Kendall...waiting oh-so-patiently.

Blessed.

Our special girl.

Proud parents.

And Godparents!

One with big brother...

One with Poppy...

Add in the Great Grandmas...

Now Nana Vicki...

And Zielinski Grandparents...

Now the Jankos!

And one more...with Aunt Jeeka!

Nana Vicki was rather strategic and snatched up a sleepy little girl as soon as we got back to the house!

Let the children come unto Me and do not forbid them;

for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 19:14

A little scary...and a lot sweet.



I've never been a big fan of Halloween. I think it's weird, and a little creepy. Even as a kid. It may have something to do with the fact that I don't like candy all that much. Now, if they passed out french fries, door-to-door, that would be my kind of holiday. Some of my indifference to the holiday may have to do with the fact that I hate (HATE) being scared. I can't even watch previews of scary movies. Much less watch the movie itself! I once made it 60 seconds into The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Sorry, Jared. I tried.

 

Of course I love how much the kids love Halloween. And we always have fun with the traditional activities. This year, Emerson toyed around with the idea of being Super Mario or being a "skelekon." Eventually, I made him choose, since we needed to get a costume, and he landed on being a skeleton. I think it's important that kids choose their costumes, within reason. I remember some of my costumes...a crayon one year, a gypsy for three years straight. For my gypsy costume, my Mom used a bandanna and sewed on canning jar lids as my earrings. Jason once went as a road. Yes, a road. He had sweats and glued on cars, reflectors, etc. I love the creativity behind costumes! So long as they're not scary.

 

 

Creepy, no? Hard to believe that's my sweet boy under that mask.

Best Dad ever. I just think it's unfair that the wizard ran out of brains. Maybe next year, Jason ;)

A quick pic with the Cabbage Patch Doll before they headed out to trick-or-treat!

And this is what Scarlet did that evening. What a sweet doll she is.

This little stinker finds her thumb, a lot.

Cider, Donuts, and Pumpkin Carving!

On a cold and rainy Saturday morning, I can think of nothing we'd rather be doing than carving pumpkins, eating donuts, and drinking apple cider!

 

Aunt Jeeka cuts, Emerson pokes through!

 

I think Scarlet is a little concerned about how Jason's is turning out.

So proud!

 

Family O' Pumpkins!

This photo was at Emerson's request. And then there's Jason.

Showing off their good work!

Cuddling with Poppy! Can you see Scarlet passed out in the corner?