Tree Hunting....a little late

Things have been so busy around here this month. I have taken over 1000 pictures this month (no exaggeration) and have yet to record the memories. It may take a few posts, but I'll do my best!!

A yearly tradition for us is going to the tree lot, finding a live tree, and then going out to get dessert. This was Atalie's first and Charis's 3rd trip. Though we chose our tree quickly, we played in the lot a little. Charis had a blast running around the trees and being chased by Paw Paw. Atalie, as usual, just took it all in. Charis loves running around the lot, weaving in and out of the trees. Atalie was just happy to be with family. We finally decided on a small tree, much smaller than previous years. It ended up being perfect for Charis to help decorate.

After loading the trees up on Paw Paw and Bean's car, we headed off to Applebee's. I was not happy to find that my favorite splurge, The Apple Chimi-Cheesecake, had been discontinued. Atalie had a great time at the table, tasted her first lemon, and made a huge mess on the floor. Charis devoured her ice cream. Are you surprised to hear that she had a hard time winding down for the evening?

YUM!

Forgot these...

Here's a few pics I forgot for Thanksgiving...
Keex and Atalie snuggling...

The girls and Bean and Paw Paw dancing...

Paw Paw reading a self-edited version of Cinderella...

Atalie listens intently. :)

And stories told by Uncle Jason.

It's been a while...

since I've updated. Lots has been going on!


Some things don't change. Yes, this is normal around our house.


The recent Nor'easter took out half of 2 of the trees in our front yard. Bradford Pears are not the sturdiest of trees. I rode down the street after the storm passed and a neighbor had one of those scarecrow-on-a-stick yard decorations still standing. But, no, not our tree. Maybe I should have staked a scarecrow to our trees.


Brian strapped Atalie to his back and proceeded to rake up the remaining mess in our yard.
Snow White helped. Well, sang and twirled in circles. Close enough.

Since then Atalie has been sick and managed to get a black eye at church. Pitiful, huh?

Of course that goofy picture was the one that showed her black eye the best. :)
Next came Thanksgiving. Brian worked this Thanksgiving, so the girls and I went to my parents' house and spent the day with them.


The next day Charis helped clean in anticipation of Thanksgiving #2.
Brian was home for this one and we invited both of our families over. I cooked my first turkey, which went amazingly well! I forgot to take a before picture, but here's the carcass. Just what you wanted to see, right? I have since been informed that, yes, that is a little weird.

Charis played her version of football in the front yard with Brian and her cousins. She busted her lip, but she was having so much fun that she didn't even care.


Then Sunday we had Thanksgiving #3 with Brian's entire family (grandparents, cousins, uncles, etc etc) in North Carolina. The girls slept on the way there and woke up just as we arrived. The firefighters posed for a picture (or 20, since I was taking them). They have a great yard and field, so Charis played with her cousins outside and got nice and muddy. Atalie chowed down on sweet potatoes, rolls, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce. It was a hit! Then Carie graciously rocked her so she could catch a quick snooze.


This week it's been leftovers (my favorite!). I made a yummy apple pie using leftover cranberry sauce. YUM! And Charis made Brian a turkey sandwich. Well, mayonnaise sandwich with some turkey. :)