Happy Thanksgiving!

We are off to visit family for the holiday and I just wanted to say that I am grateful for:

My husband! I love you Babe!
My cute kids! I love you too!
Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
A testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ and his Atonement for all mankind
A warm place to sleep, and good food to eat
Health
Freedom
Choice
Love and Chocolate!

The other day the kids and I went up to Palmyra to visit the Sacred Grove and Joseph Smith's home. I wanted to make it a memorable experience, however just as we were getting the camera out, I remembered that the flash drives were still at home in the computer....and the girls were rather wound up after a few hours in the car. However, as we walked, I asked Ereland what she knew about church. And she told me, "Jesus loves me and wants me to be happy!"
How peaceful are the simple truths of the gospel. I am so happy that she knows this at such a young age.

Anastasia also surprised me just a few days after we got home from our trip north. We were at story time and "Miss Sara" asked all the kids what they were thankful for. The responses were generic, family, friends, food....(the f trifecta!) But my little miss Anastasia said she was grateful for Jesus. I later told her how proud of her I was and that when she tells other people about Him, we are being missionaries, just like her Aunt Breanna.

I realize how blessed I am to have such wonderful kids. They keep me busy, but they fill my life with joy and happiness.

Stay safe and enjoy your holiday season.

I love the muppets!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I know it isn't today, but I came across this picture and it was a nice reminder about how it all started....

{P.S. I love you!}

I love the way you look at him!

I love you when your angry!

I love you when you are ALL happy!

I love those silly faces!

I love you when you are excited to see me!

I love you when you laugh!

I love you when you help!

I love you when you think I'm crazy!

I love you always!

How come?

How come I look forward to that minute when the house is quiet?

How come I can't wait for you to go to sleep?

How come when I get that minute, I miss hearing your voices, and seeing your face?

How come I was so blessed?

I am going to miss fall!

I noticed today how bare the trees are starting to look. I am afraid that the beauty of this area that has kept me so alive is leafing! Haha! Get it? . . . leafing. Okay, really I had to take the girls out to get a quick shot or two just to have something beautiful to look at this long cold winter. Heres to warm thoughts and the miracle of hot chocolate!

Halloween Fun! with Circle Time!

I enrolled the kids at Circle Time with the Public Library a while back. I think it has been the best thing I have done for Anastasia since we moved to NY. She LOVES it! They usually start with an action song like five little monkeys, and then read a story and do a craft about the story and then play and pop bubbles. I asked her what her favorite part is and without hesitation she screamed, "smashing the bubbles"! That's my girl!

This year they also had a Halloween Parade. The kids dressed up and went trick or treating through each section of the library, fiction, non-fiction, reference, etc. Doughnuts and Juice Boxes were downstairs for the "usual" circle time! Now they want to dress up like butterfly fairies every day! Can you see the sugar accumulating in their blood?

No words! Well maybe just one.....ERELAND!

Waiting...Waiting...Waiting at the "A Store"

The only store I feel like we ever shop at is Walmart. It has been a while ago, but when Anastasia started recognizing letters in signs and especially as we were teaching her what her name looked like, she has called Walmart the A store because of the A's she saw. Even though she has learned that it is Walmart she still prefers the A store. The kids and I were waiting for dad to grab some things for us...."the natives were growing restless"...... so I had to improvise. Cheers to your viewing pleasures!

Family!

Big Dave (or Grandpa Smoochie to others) came for a quick hello while on business. He was kind enough to bring his camera and expert talent, and snap a few quick pics. I was so grateful to have a family picture with Cardin. Here are a few of the good ones!