Thanksgiving 2011

We hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday. We traveled back 'home' to enjoy a Thanksgiving dinner with Adam's family, and a Thanksgiving supper with my family. Needless to say, we were STUFFED! We enjoyed spending time with our families and we are already looking forward to Christmas. Harper had a lot of fun this year; so much fun that she didn't take a nap. She enjoyed running around and playing with her cousins all day. She was SO tired but behaved fairly well. She was asleep within 3 blocks of heading home. I guess she didn't want to miss any action!

Harper with her oldest cousin, Nicole
They both love to color

Harper decided to take a dip in my parents' hot tub - she loved it! It was in the upper 50's on Thanksgiving - so we thought it'd be 'warm' enough for her to get in

My mom and I

Harper and Bump watching her video from Santa

Harper, Uncle Rusty, & Cousin Cody helping break up the bread for the stuffing - a new tradition that has been started with Harper

Upcoming Blogs:

• Christmas Tree
• Christmas List
• Video from Santa
  

Funnies # 4

I'm experiencing some technical difficulties with trying to upload my Thanksgiving pictures to Blogger - so hopefully I'll be able to post a blog about Turkey Day soon. In the mean time....

Whenever we drive past the swimming pool we tell Harper that the pool is closed and that it will open again next summer. Harper has now taken the initiative to voice that pool will open "next summer" on her own. She also says "next summer" when driving by the football field and park as well.

As you may know, we are working on potty training Harper. This has been frustrating because she has NO interest in her potty chair. I asked Harper the other day when she was going to go on the big-girl potty and she replied, "Next summer!"

Let's hope it's before then! Little stinker......

Nursery Rhymes

Harper LOVES to sing. Some of her favorites are: Happy Birthday (which we end up singing to EVERY.PERSON.IN.OUR.FAMILY), Twinkle Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, ABC's, Baa Baa Black Sheep, Wheels on the Bus, This Old Man, and If You're Happy and You Know It. We are currently trying to spice up our mix with a few Christmas carols :)

We usually sing for a good half hour - let's just say that my voice is sore by the end. No joke!

Here is a video of Harper singing a few of her favorites.

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Black Friday.....I mean, Thursday????

I don't know about you, but I am not fond of the 'Black Friday' shopping/deals beginning on Thursday evening. I think people should enjoy spending time with their families, instead of worrying about their shopping trip.

Maybe I feel this way because I have never gone shopping on Black Friday, so I don't really understand the big deal. Honestly, it does not sound like fun to me. I don't like big crowds when I'm trying to shop, I don't like waiting in line, and I have road rage. Therefor, I don't think Black Friday is for me.

I just cannot believe that some stores are opening up at 10 PM on Thanksgiving and most others opening at midnight. For crying out loud, let the employees and customers enjoy their families! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is so relaxing hanging out with family, and there is no stress of buying gifts for everyone. It's a day to eat way too much food, maybe drink a little too much wine :), watch football, and bond with family! Sounds like a perfect day to me! I don't need to be pressured into interrupting my day to go shop.

Sorry if you are in favor of the change of Black FRIDAY shopping, I'm sure you'll have a ball. When is enough, enough? Soon we'll be shopping the day BEFORE Thanksgiving.

Check out the story below regarding this debate.


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/black-friday-backlash-early-openings-112000843.html

Thank You

I know I'm a day late, but Happy Veteran's Day to all those who have served the good ole' US of A!

There really are no words that even come close to the thanks and respect I have for the men and women who have served and protected our nation. So I will keep it short and simple and say "Thank You!"

As I was at the store yesterday, I noticed an old man proudly donning his VFW cap and it brought a smile to my face. I planned on thanking him for his service but Harper had other plans. Veterans should feel very proud of their dedication to the US and should show their military pride everyday. And WE should thank them everyday, not just on Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. I thank a Vet every chance I get - whether I'm passing by a Humvee on the interstate or I see a man/woman in their BDU's out in public, I show my respect.

This is one of my favorite commercials of all time! Remember - Veteran's should be thanked everyday, not just one day out of the year!



A special thank you to my favorite vet, my husband! I am so proud of you and honored to be your wife! I love you!

Time for More Pictures

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Halloween 2011

We had so much fun with Halloween this year. Kids make everything better - Harper is at the age where she is just starting to understand what is going on. It's a lot of fun.

On Friday night we carved pumpkins. Harper didn't care for the carving - but she loved staring at the pumpkins when we lit them up. I made a traditional happy face and Adam made an Iowa Hawkeye. The Hawkeye pumpkin was a big hit with a lot of the kids!

Speaking of pumpkins........

Harper had more fun handing out the candy than the actual trick-or-treating. She stood at the door all night and watched the kids walk by. She'd run into the living room and shout "some one's here!" before the kids would even have time to ring the doorbell. Harper would then run back to the door, knock on the glass and wave at the kids. She was not scared one bit. It was fun to watch her interact with everyone.

A little trip down memory lane....

Halloween 2009

Halloween 2010

And here's a funny video for you....make sure your volume is up at the end ;)