Our Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving full of lots of food and family. Patrick's family was here with us! It has become a tradition. We love having them here for our Thanksgiving weekend festivities!

 

Wednesday for me was spent baking with my littles!

 

 

Those bowls and spoons kept them busy for a while! They did all take a turn actually stirring the pumpkin bread!

 

Growing up, we always made rice krispie treats the night before Thanksgiving so since Bailey was born I've kept that tradition going.

 

 She likes the marshmellows more than the actual rice krispie treats!

 

On Thanksgiving Day we watched the parade which Bailey loved this year! The babies really paid attention some also which was cute, I cooked off and on all day (of course!), we got outside and took a few pics of the girls, and we ATE a lot of yummy food!

 

 This is not a great picture but the only one of all 5 of us on Thanksgiving :-)  

 

 

 The girls just stared at their plates for a minute not knowing where to start!They don't usually have that many choices on one plate at the same time!

 

Look at my little beauties! I made these little dresses quickly during nap on Wednesday. I had hoped to embellish with some embroidery or flower or something but no time!

 



 

 

They rocked them! I love these sweet faces more than anything.

 

After the kids went to bed, Patrick, Priscila and I headed out for a little Black Friday shopping. We weren't very successful and came home empty handed but we had fun!

 

Black Friday for us was Christmas tree day!!

 

 

 

We found a gorgeous tree! It is up and decorated but only has ornaments on the top half since we have two little sets of hands to pull them off! I considered putting a gate up around the tree but so didn't want to do that so I went with the half decorate tree instead! It's still beautiful! I'm blogging by the light of the tree now :-)

 

In other news, Elfie is back! He returned a day late this year but returned with a bang! He brought donuts, Christmas plates and cups and a couple goodies for the girls!

 

 

They were super excited!!

 

Speaking of Elfie....

 

it's about that time and then bed!

 

Goodnight all!  



The past week..

I honestly can't remember the day by day happenings of the last week but it involved our new sitter starting, some crafting, two birthday parties, and a couple Mommy/Bailey dates to run errands. 

We'll start with what I do remember.. Our sitter, Jamie started on Thursday! She did great! The girls knew I was leaving and were a little fussy so I got some fruit snacks out to distract them while I left and she said they were fine after that. They even napped for her! While they were sleeping she unloaded the dishwasher, washed what was in the sink, cleaned the stainless steal, made Bailey's bed and dusted! How lovely! I got a good start on Christmas shopping while Bailey was in school! 

That face of Peyton's cracks me up! Bailey used to do that when she was younger! 

Later that day, the kids and I went over to Candace's for a surprise b-day party for Marta! It was fun to hang out with some of the girls! Patrick came and picked up the little girls so Bailey and I could stay a little later. 

Earlier in the week on Tuesday, Veteran's Day, we had a craft night at our house! Patrick had picked up some canvas' on sale for Bailey one day so they painted on those and I started a project for Bailey's room! We also did all the kids hand prints for Thanksgiving turkey's! 

That's my kind of night!! I definitely stayed up until 1:30 am finishing up those letters. I was pretty sleepy the next day! 

Either Monday or Tuesday we all went to "the new" Walmart. It's really not new anymore but around here that's how everyone refers to it! It's farther from our house so we don't go often but they have the big carts so we may start going more! 

The girls had fun in the cart! 

It's the little things! 

On Friday I have no memory at the moment of what we did during the day but as soon as the babies went to bed that night Bailey and I took off for the mall! Children's Place was having sales and I didn't want to wait! We flew around to a few stores and had so much fun! My girl loves to shop! :-) She brought quarters from home for the ride and of course we had to get a cookie! We were back home and she was in bed by 9 so it wasn't too late of a night. 

Modeling her "Elfie" pj's and one of her new headbands. She's such a pris! 

Saturday morning was Aaden's 6th Birthday party! It was at Chuck-E-Cheese! MaKayla and (little) Aiden rode with Bailey and I. Patrick stayed home with the little girls as it was nap time for them so we didn't think they'd have much fun. The big kids had lots of fun!! 

One of the sales I ran to the mall for was these little hats for $1! 

How cute are these littles trying them on!? Brooke got hers off and then went after Peyton's! Little skunk. Peyton liked hers! We napped and were lazy most of the rest of the day Saturday. Bailey and I ran out in the evening to pick up dinner, Pancho Villa! Yum!! 

Today :-) 

Sunday (today), started out lazy but then Bailey and I headed out to grocery shop in the afternoon then after dinner we all went out to Target and Lowes. I took down the last of the baby gates in the living room today! With the exception of the ones guarding the end table but those are up against the couch and don't take up any extra living space which is the part that drives me crazy! I glued the shelves on the book case so they can't be pulled out and at lowes we bought straps to attach the shelf to the wall so with all that being done it will be child proof. 

I will be strapping the kids dressers and cube shelves to their walls too! I am always a nervous wreck when they're playing in their rooms and guard the shelves as they play! It will be nice to not be as worried! I always play with them in there but won't feel like I need to sit in front of the dresser anymore. 

A little side note for me~ Peyton and Brooke started with sippy cups tonight for their milk and did well with them so we're going to give no bottles a shot! 

Off to bed I go! I am hoping to get a few projects done this week so hopefully I'll have something to share soon! 

Happy Birthday Marines!

 Today is the Marine Corps 239th Birthday. I am very proud to be married to one of the few, the proud. 

I have definitely had a love/hate relationship with the Marine Corps over the last 8 years but it has provided a good life for us and I have made some of the most amazing friends.

 

Us at our first Birthday Ball in 2007

  One of my favorite ball photos of us. (2010). I was 5 1/2 months pregnant with Bailey at this ball!

 

Our most recent ball, a couple weeks ago. 

:-)

And one of my faves from his first deployment

Iraq '09

It's after midnight now, I am off to bed!

4 day weekend!

My little beauties are getting good use out of their matching coats! 

 

Here's a little of yesterday.. 

 We all played in Bailey's room most of the morning. The girls had so much fun and were so silly! 

 

 

 

 In the afternoon we went on a family outing to Sam's and Walmart for groceries.

 

 We played outside in the evening for a while, came in for dinner then played until bedtime. I made homemade crunch wraps for dinner. They were SO yummy! A new fave in our house!! 

Once the kids were in bed I went out to Kohls and Target for a little me time :-) and stayed up too late when I got home as usual so I was super sleepy again this morning when Brooke woke up at 5:50! Why?!?! 

Today Patrick went hunting for the first time with our neighbor. They stayed out until after noon but no luck. The girls and I snuggled and played at home all morning.

 

We sat like this in the recliner for quite a while watching Disney Jr. They were snugglier {probably not a word. ha.} than usual this morning! No complaints here. After they napped we were getting ready to head out for a bit when Patrick walked in. Bailey wanted to stay home with Daddy so I went out alone. I enjoy taking the girls out with me but it is definitely easier to run in lots of places when I'm by myself! I go to places like Pier 1 and Kirklands. I never take the kids with me to those places, I am always afraid they will knock something over and I'll have to buy it! Plus the stroller, even the umbrella one doesn't maneuver around well. I found some great sales! I was so excited with my purchases today! The last exciting purchase of the day is one I have been waiting for. lol. I know they've been out in Orlando a while but now they're here!! 

Are you ready?.....

 

 Whaaaat! They are so delish! 

Later this evening we played outside and had a little family photo sesh before the girls went to bed. 

I am now relaxing with a glass of wine and The Walking Dead is coming on so I'm out! Goodnight :-)

 

Woo hoo for Friday!

Another early morning for Miss P. Bailey was up super early also. She's been laying in bed a little while when she wakes up singing. It's funny. Brookie slept in until 8:30! I knew there was no way the girls would be going down for naps together at the normal nap time so we loaded up and got out of the house. We went to Kohls but didn't last long. For some reason Bailey was on a crazy high today! She was SO hyper. Not bad just FULL of silly energy. She was just too much so I decided we'd shop later. We stopped at Panera and got lunch (at 10:30!) on the way home. The little girls went down for naps. Bailey and I ate then went outside to get the sillies out! It was pretty chilly today so we bundled up! We played with a couple neighbors then when Chloe and Cain came out they were heading to the park and invited Bailey so off she went. I stayed out a while chatting with Kaelyn then came in and got back to laundry. The girls took great naps! Maybe we should try getting out every morning before nap! 

They slept 2 1/2, almost 3 hours! 

After they got up and ate lunch we went to Target. I was going to get Bailey but they were just fixing lunch and said to just leave her there to play. So I did. 

 

 I got all the girls matching coats and new shoes for Peyton and Brooke! I was so excited!! I've been on the hunt for coats and shoes for a while now. It was a perfect day to have new coats, we put them on when we got home to play outside. I cleaned out my car and Adam vacuumed it for me! We stayed outside for a couple hours until Patrick got home and Bailey came out of Chloe's then came in, had dinner and played until bedtime.

 Patrick got something today that came in a box. The girls had so much fun playing with it! 

 Patrick has the next 4 days off for Veteran's Day! :-)

Home day

Today started with Peyton waking up at or slightly before 6am! She clearly hasn't learned Mommy doesn't care much for super early mornings! Haha. We played and had breakfast then got ready to take Bailey to school. Mom and Dad left when we did to head back home. The girls went down for naps at 9:30 since they were up so early! It was nice that they woke up on their own before it was time to go get Bailey. I hate waking them up! It was raining when we first got home so we came in and had lunch then the rain stopped so we went outside. It was such a great day, warm and breezy! We went for a walk then I pulled the pack n play out into the driveway for the girls and I started cleaning the garage fully expecting maybe 5-10 mins before they would start fussing but no, they played and played then Bailey got in with them and they all played for a while longer! It was fabalous! 

I am happy to say I got the garage all picked up and swept! It is no where close to organized but at least it's picked up now! One day I will have a clean and organized garage again and if/when I downsize my vehicle I will park in there again! :-) 

 

Happy girls at lunchtime! 

We played a while when we came back in and snacked then I laid the babies down around 3 for an afternoon nap. I thought for sure after such an early morning, early, and short nap and outside time they would fall right asleep but nope! I was wrong. They did not fall asleep! I left them in there for some "quiet time" while I cooked dinner then got them back up and we went back outside. Now that it gets dark so early we have to play outside before dinner instead of our summer routine of dinner then outside until bedtime. We played for an hour or two then came in, ate dinner and headed for the tub. I have mastered giving the girls a bath together but Bailey loves getting in with them too and that is harder since her hair is so long and thick, her bath takes longer. The little girls start standing up, and trying to move around more once I'm done washing them and they make me nervous! I hurried with Bailey's hair and got them all out. Right about then, Patrick got home so he helped with Pj's and played with the girls a little while before they went to bed. Once they were in bed it was only 6:45/7ish and way too early for Bailey to go to bed but we were both so sleepy we snuggled on the couch and watched Sofia the first for an hour then she went to bed. I got a second wind around 8 and so now here I am at 11 still up. So much for going to bed early and getting a good nights sleep! I really haven't done anything since 8. I caught up on SVU and got my pinterest fix for the day. Now I am off to bed!

October, that's a wrap!

It's Wednesday but I'm "wrapping up" my busy week. My parents have been here a week and leave tomorrow. Thursday was Bailey's Halloween party at school. Friday was Halloween. Our ball was Monday. Doesn't sound like a lot but it felt super busy! 

Bailey's Halloween party was fun! I was on the Mom comity to set up and break down which I love! I signed up for every holiday party, of course ;-) 

 Spooky snacks! I made the cheese stick brooms and the ghost bananas.

One of the crafts was decorating picture frames. I took all the kids photos in front of a back drop. :) 

   

Bailey's finished frame! 

 They played pass the pumpkin.

The other craft was Frankenstein hand prints! 

That night we finally carved our pumpkins after the babies went to bed! 

 Halloween was lots of fun! We attempted to get all the kids in one photo and got most of them but still missing a few. We have such a large group it's a hard task!

 I dressed up this year! I've missed dressing up the past few years!

 Patrick literally pulled up from work right as we were leaving to Trick-Or-Treat. He almost missed it. Glad he made it!

 Taking pictures of Peyton and Brooke was almost impossible. We should have started earlier in the day before all the neighbors were out but didn't have our act together in time. These were the best pics we got! Snow White and Tinkerbell.

Bailey was Princess Aurora.

The last big event of the week was the Ball. I look forward to the ball every year. I love getting dressed up and spending a night away with my hubby. This year I woke up the morning before with my eye all swollen. I went straight to urgent care instead of waiting for it to go down on it's own. The Dr. said it may have been a bite or something. It was my eye lid not inside my eye. She prescribed some antibiotic drops. It was still quite swollen and painful by ball time. I was so bummed. I couldn't wear eyeliner so I made do with some mascara and plum eyeshadow but I think I covered it pretty well. By the end of the night though it hurt so bad I just wanted to go to sleep!