Trimming of the Tree

The music from our Favorite Christmas CD (Martina McBride "White Christmas") plays in the background as we start to decorate for the holidays. This is a holiday season we won't soon forget. This year was a first for Riley as he is finally big enough to help with the decorating. Help might be an exaggeration (just kidding). He was in a rush to get as many ornaments on the same branch as possible. He really did enjoy decorating the tree and kept looking for more things to add.


Riley's first decoration added to our tree.


We really wanted to go the real tree route this year, but Riley's crankiness won out and we didn't stay long at the Christmas Tree Farm. Oh well, at least we looked. Maybe next year.
The decorating is not complete yet, as we want to put lights on our deck but not overkill. Simple. Pretty.






Daddy helping Riley get an ornament high up on the tree.
















"Come on dad, let's put that on top."

Fall Fun and Being Thankful

The Thanksgiving Holiday has come and gone, with our family having travelled to North Carolina. The trip there seemed to take forever. We got there late Tuesday night. We were able to visit with the family. Wednesday served up a cranky Riley who hadn't been getting enough sleep and a bit of grocery shopping for the big day.

Thanksgiving day started out normal. We did some cooking, (well my MIL and SIL)--I didn't get to cook much-part of the stuffing. Cooked for hours-ate for minutes... LOL isn't that how it goes.

We had an amazing time hanging out with my husbands family (his mom and step dad, sister and BIL, nephews and niece in law to be) as we always do. They are wonderful people and so much fun to be around.

I love that first pic of Riley, he and I were on a walk, he was walking ahead of me. Kind of makes me sad... The second pic he was picking up leaves as they were blowing all over on this windy, rainy day.

Friday afternoon we did some post Thanksgiving shopping, while Riley hung out with Granny for a couple of hours. Found a few great things from Santa for my little guy (and a couple of things for mommies and daddies).

The trip home on Saturday was nice. We had to start the trip by going to Best Buy and getting Riley a new DVD player-(8 hours in the car and no DVD player with a 3 year old....UGH). The mountains are so beautiful and the scenery through NC and TN is amazing. Can't wait to go again to visit.

I truly am blessed and Thankful everyday for my wonderful family and life...

Birthdays, Monkeys and Riley... Oh MY!

Ok first off I have blogged once (a year ago) so please bear with me...

Yesterday we celebrated my sweet sons 3rd birthday. We had a nice party here at the house with many of our friends in attendance. This is our first year not having the big bash in Michigan.

Riley had so much fun. He got many fun gifts that are driving dad and I crazy already. Paybacks, I know. I must say I'm glad I never bought anyone's kids drums...