More of a Good Thing

 Ross wanted to cook a big Thanksgiving meal for our family.  He and Jordan came up with the menu and worked all day long to prepare an amazing feast for us.  I know it was a lot of work and trouble to go to, but it was very thoughtful and kind of them to want to do that for our family.  We appreciated it for sure!!!!

Walker got in on the cooking action.  After assisting with the beans, he ate about half a bag of marshmallows that were intended for the sweet potato casserole.

Yummy!!!!

 Papaw and Aunt Carolyn came over a little before dinner, so we were able to get some playing in before eating.  

 Aunt Carolyn always makes things more fun!!! Especially when she pulls out her iPad with the playlist of college fight songs....Haley and I may or may not have busted out the MRA fight song moves when our song came on....good thing there was no video taken....

 Jordan and Ross were so sweet and brought the Christmas gifts for the kids since we won't be seeing them next month.  EK was beyond thrilled with the Lalaloopsy workshop!

 And could this car be any cuter??????

 Thank you Jordan and Ross for being so generous to us!!!! Amazing dinner, fun gifts, precious family time...it doesn't get any better!!!!!!

Back Together Again!

The Jones girls were reunited this week and I LOVED every minute of it!!!! Jordan and her fiance Ross came home for Thanksgiving and we had a blast getting to visit with them!!!!

Ella Kate and Walker have had such a fun time playing with their aunts and new uncle-to-be.  They all have more energy than me, so they are great entertainment!!!!

It was so great to get to know Ross a bit.  He is so nice and obviously adores my sister and although he is a Yankee who does not understand our obsession with college football, he's a keeper! So excited and happy for Jo and Ross as they begin their married life!!!!

I am so very thankful for my family and now that everyone is all grown up, I know holidays and get togethers will become increasingly difficult to come by....so for now, I am feeling beyond blessed for such an amazing week with some of my favorite people in the world!!!!

Princess Butterfly

Today was the Open House at the Weekday Preschool.  The kids dressed in all their Indian gear and showed the parents a little bit of what they do at school each day during Integrity Time.  They were so cute singing all their little songs and finger plays and my oh my, my child loves to perform.  Ridiculous.  

After they did their daily routines, we got to go to their classrooms and see some of the work they have done this year.  I sure do love a handprint craft!!!!! EK chose the name "Princess Butterfly" since

 Big G calls her a princess and Meemaw loves butterflies.  I think EVERY little girl had Princess Something or Another as her name!!!!

 Check out these little turkeys.  Silly boys!!!!

We are super excited for all the activities to come over Thanksgiving break.  Jordan and Ross are coming to town...Aunt Carolyn is coming to visit...Biometric Fingerprints for our adoption....Jones Family Thanks-Mas in Starkville...the Egg Bowl...Thanksgiving with the Nelsons...Nelson family pictures....THERE IS A LOT GOING ON and we can't wait!!!! We have so much to be thankful for!!!!

Junction

Weekends in North Mississippi make my heart smile!!! Yesterday was quite gloomy, and the Bulldogs added another L to their season, but seeing so many of our favorite people in one place is a W in my book!

Love these 2!!!

We went by the Gordon's tent and were so excited to see the new family of 5!!!! It is so fun for my kids to grow up with my friends' kids!!! EK and MR are just too sweet!

And how about the newest addition Max!!!! I could eat him up with a spoon.  He was not super thrilled to be a part of my picture but I am sure he will get used to us sticking our cameras in his face all the time!!! The Gordons are doing so great!!! God has truly been all over the last few weeks and has been at work to perfectly weave Max in to their amazing family!!!!

My BFF Lauren was in town too.  This is by far the best part of football season! Everybody in one place! I got to see Sally and her bunch too but we somehow failed to get a picture.  Boo.

EK had a mini reunion with her BFF from Hburg Elleigh.  They were soooooo excited to see each other.  While I talked to Elleigh's dad, these two chatted it up like little old ladies.  So precious.

We got to see Haley and Robert too.  Congrats to Robert on his new job in the metro Jackson area!!!! Woo Hoo for being a grown up!!!!!

The fun visits continued as we headed to the Heritage tent.  EK was super excited to see the McCullens.  Sure do miss that family!

Ava was working on those rubber band bracelet things...apparently they are the "it" thing right now...well, EK watched her every move for a solid 30 minutes!  I am afraid millions of rubber bands may be in our future!

J got to catch up with some of his students from Hburg as well.  Always a good time!!!!!

EK has been quite disappointed this season because the bakery cart is no longer by our seats.  Thanks to the Heritage peeps for hooking my girl up with her beloved dog bone!!!!

We met up with G and Kay Kay to take in all the action.  The patriotic tribute is always my favorite and the singing of the National Anthem by 56,000 people was really special.

We had a great day with wonderful friends and family! Can't believe there is only one more game this year in Sville!!! Let the countdown to baseball begin!!!!!!

Princesses on Ice

Thursday night, was the much anticipated Princesses on Ice performance.  Ella Kate LOVES all things princess, and has literally been looking forward to going to see the princesses skate again since last year.  While we were at Disney World, she kept asking where all the princesses skates were.  Poor girl was a little confused.  Anyway, the show was amazing and so well done.  Disney doesn't cut any corners! Ella Kate sang along and watched with such wonder.  It makes me tear up to watch her as she gets to experience magical things.  Go ahead and make fun of me J!!! We had a fabulous time with G, Kay Kay and Haley and we can't wait for next year's show!!!!!

From the phone

So here are our latest happenings as seen through my iPhone....

EK went to the dentist for a check up...and not just any dentist...MY pediatric dentist!!! Dr. Simmons has been practicing dentistry for 51 years!!!!  It was so sweet to watch the way he interacted with EK and there is something that is just comforting about the fact that the office has not changed at all...blue carpet, wood paneling and all!!! Dr. S did however update his toy wall....I mean, a crown, wand, and a name brand Ariel toothbrush?!?!?!

We got to hang out with our besties the Blairs and Laysons and a special treat was the Rays were in town, so the girls got to play with Vera Kate too!!!! A HUGE mess was made and a grand time was had by all!

Cousin lovin...these 2 are so sweet together.  JD is GREAT with Walker as well.

The weather has been perfect for playing at the park.  EK, Anne Marie and Ruthie decided to give makeovers under the playground equipment instead of playing.  Whatever.

Mom took the kids to Papaws, so J, Haley, Robert and I hit up the bowling alley....living it up like we were in jr high! We had a fun time hanging out together and all pretty much decided not to quit our day jobs to take up professional bowling!

Walker was obsessed with Robert's boots.  Poor little guy had a hard time balancing/standing/walking in those size 15s!

Football is serious...too bad the Bulldogs stink!

J and I went to see Jackson Prep do Les Mis and oh my word...that was incredible! They did a fabulous job and I was blown away by them!

Yesterday, my sweet friend Sarah invited a group over to her house to help the kids make blessing bags to keep in our cars to give to the homeless.  It was such a neat thing to do and opened up a lot of conversations with the kids about loving and serving as Jesus did and also about being thankful for all we have been blessed with.  

Here are my two little stinkers before school this morning.  It pretty much is a miracle that Walker actually was still for this to happen.

And this has happened at our house.  Yes, I realize it is the 12th of November.  I don't care. =)