SCOTT AND CASEY

This weekend I had the pleasure of doing an engagement session with Scott and Casey. They were SO MUCH FUN!! These two are so much in love, they just can't hide it! Enjoy their slideshow by entering the password "casey" under the client section HERE.

THANKFUL

Happy Thanksgiving!! We have had the best week!! The girls were out of school all week, which was a MUCH needed relief from our schedule. None of us realized how much we needed a break. We enjoyed our week by just being together, hardly leaving the house, getting our home reorganized, clean, and ready for the upcoming weeks. We had a great time decorating for Christmas (which for me is usually a dreaded event, but this year I loved it!! - pictures to come soon). The girls played together so nice all week, just enjoying being home with nothing to rush off to. Thanksgiving day I had so many little helping hands in the kitchen. We talked about how one day we will be cooking together with all THEIR kids helping out too! We have so much to be thankful for.

Emily made a wonderful green bean casserole!

Kirsten was in charge of making the homemade mashed potatoes, and daddy's favorite yeast rolls.

Hannah made a homemade macaroni and cheese all by herself!! Everything was soo yummy!

Three extra helpers plus two dogs in the kitchen - yep definitely time to add in the much -awaited very long kitchen island (meanwhile, the old TV stand is filling in somewhat well).

And a Thanksgiving walk with Dad while mom gets everything ready for the table (and runs out to snap a picture when they return!).

Time to start thinking about Christmas!! :)

TRUE LOVE

I just had to snap this picture of Emily sleeping with her book. Ever since my little sweetie turned three years old on November 11, she has slept with this book (remind you of someone, Nana?). Her sister Hannah bought this book "The Little Mermaid" at her school book fair, along with a few more age appropriate books for Emily as gifts for her birthday. Well, Emily has taken to this book like none other. Sometimes she will sit for the longest time staring at the picture-less book, and you would think she was really reading it! It's only a few weeks old, and you can already see how well-loved it is. I asked her yesterday as she was dragging her book all over the house - "Boo, why do you love that book so much?". I was very curious as to what her 3-year-old reason would be. She stated very simply.. "Because it's mine. Hannah gave it to me." I think I have discovered Emily's love language.... it's the same as Hannah's.

IT'S OFFICIAL

Winter has arrived. It seems a bit early this year.

What kid can resist? It seems to be an instinct as soon as a kid steps out into the snow - to stick out their tongue!! :)

Even the dog tries to catch a few flakes with his tongue.

Can't you just hear the song?? "Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes..."

It's time to say goodbye to any kind of gardening until next spring.

Good-bye purple daisies.

But we get to welcome the holly.

MY CUTIE BOO

I just had to take the time to play with some pictures of my own kids for a change!

MY THEME SONG FOR THE WEEK

FOR ALL YOU "JON AND KATE PLUS EIGHT" FANS

While we were at the Eastern Christian Convention, which was at The Hershey Lodge, in famous Hershey, Pennsylvania, there happened to be a "Women of Purpose" convention going on at the same time our "Moving Mountains" convention was there. We were delighted to discover that Kate was speaking at it. We were able to sneak in line at their convention and grab a few signatures and meet her in person. She acted just like she does on TV, which is why I like her so much. She is so real. She doesn't hide anything. And the Hershey Lodge happens to be right across the street from the hospital that her sextuplets were born at!!

EASTERN CHRISTIAN CONVENTION

This weekend I had the honor of being a part of the Children's Ministry Program for the Eastern Christian Convention. My friend Joanne and I headed up a service project for the kids - we had them put together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. It was a powerful experience for all who witnessed these children being so self-less as they thought of and prayed for these children on the other side of the world. One thing that will always stand out in my mind is the little girl with muscular dystrophy who pulled herself across the floor on her elbows while she went down the line filling her little shoebox for another child. I have so many more things to share about the convention, but you can see a slideshow of that service project by entering the code "ecc" HERE.

THE LAST OF THE LEAVES

I think these past few days are officially marking the end of the peak colors of the leaves - they are falling so quickly. The trees are starting to get that bare winter look about them. I had a great time with this family (actually three brothers and their families) on Sunday. It was much like herding cats to get so many little ones all smiling or at least not making silly faces at the same time!! But we had seven adults performing all kinds of funny dances, antics, tricks and bribery and I think it all just might have paid off!! You can enjoy the slideshow by entering the code "ella" HERE.

NICOLE AND FAMILY

I had the pleasure this week of having not one, but two sessions with this Russian family. On our first attempt, it started pouring rain about 20 minutes into our session. Nicole was an absolute bundle of energy - she was so fun and so full of personality. And she will soon be a big sister!! :) You can see both of their galleries by entering the password "nicole" HERE.

FOR OUR FAMILY - HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY EMILY!

Emily had so much fun the past few days getting packages in the mail from all of her aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Every time she heard a truck go by, she would run to see if there was a package by the door. Her aunts have requested videos of her opening her gifts - and blogging it is the easiest way!! So, for our family, here is Miss Boo opening her birthday gifts.

She is so proud of her Aunt Jennie shoes. When we were in FL this past summer, Emily spent her days in Aunt Jennie's closet trying on every pair of shoes she could find and clomping around the house in them. Aunt Jennie surely knows what Emily loves!!