Happy Thanksgiving!

Full plates + hungry tummies = Happy Thanksgiving!

Delicious Multi-grain Rolls, Gravy and Mashed Potatoes in background.

Broccoli Casserole (on top) and Stuffing
The Turkey (it never had a chance)

The Boys helping Papa inject the Turkey full of marinade.

This year was the first year I have had to cook the entire thanksgiving dinner all by myself. It turned out really good. I cooked a Boneless Turkey Breast Roast, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli Casserole, and Multi-grain Rolls. Then we bought two pies from Costco a Pumpkin and a Pecan. It was quite the delicious feast. We have always lived near family so Thanksgiving was easy we just had to bring something. The boys had a blast giving the Turkey shots of marinade. Stew told me he was a Doctor and Doctor's give shots. He was so matter of fact I had to hold back laughter.

So, that brings me to the "Things I am thankful for this year". I am thankful for my wonderful husband and two sweet boys, for my Heavenly Father, for My Family and Joe's, For being able to cook the Thanksgiving dinner, for our health, and for the US Army that provides my husband a job where we can afford to let me be a stay at home mom (thanks Dear!).

What are you thankful for this year?

The Thornewood Castle

Here is the outside of the Thornewood Castle where we had family pictures taken today. Scroll down to see some of the pictures. They are in an earlier post. I had to share this picture of Skoebie and Joe as we were walking in. (Hey, I just figured out how to insert a link!)

Practicing for pictures

This is what it looks like at our house getting ready to have pictures taken. Skoebie climbing the bunk bed and eventually falling down, and Stew practicing his faces. Cheese, Pirate Smile and a Pirate Salute. Of course for the real pictures we didn't get really great smiles from either of the boys, but we did get a couple of Pirate Smiles from Stew. I was just very thankful that Skoebie didn't get hurt right before walking out the door. He is really determined to make it to the top bunk by himself. It can get dangerous sometimes when Stew thinks he will try and show him how to do it while Skoeb is still on the ladder. Good times. I will be glad to get our stuff back because our bunk bed is built a little differently and it should be easier for them to manage.

Skeobie and Bo

Skoebie decided this morning that he needed to share Bo's bed with him. It was really funny. Then he had to give Bo a hug and tell him, "Lova Bo." After I asked him if he was laying on Bo's bed with Bo he rolled over to his tummy and pretended to be a puppy too. These two are peas in a dog bed.

Gerbera Daisies, My Favorite

Look what Joe, Stew and Skoebie got me the other day! I love Gerbera Daisies. These made me feel really special. Thanks Guys!

Family Pictures 2008

We just had these family pictures taken at the Thornewood Castle www.thornewoodcastle.com It was a beautiful setting. It was really nice to get out and have these done. Enjoy!

Bo's bath

Tonight I pulled Skoebie from the tub and took him into Joe to get jammies on. Before I got back to the bathroom Stew yells, "Mamma, Bo's in my tub." I grabbed my camera as I went to the bathroom and this is what I saw. Bo loves the boys rubber duck and constantly tries to make it his new toy. I laughed when I saw these pictures on the computer because I noticed Stew's tongue was out, then Bo's, then Stew's.

Reading

This morning when the boys woke up Skoebie grabbed a book and sat down beside Stew and asked him to "Read". I love the fact that he thought that Stew could read him the book. These boys love books and reading stories. Skoebie has started trying to read books to himself that he is familiar with. He loves to pick up Go Dog Go! and turn the pages saying "Go Puppy Go". Stew is at the age where he will pick up a book and look at the pictures and tell you what he thinks is happening, or what he remembers from the story. This love for books that the boys have makes me one proud Mamma.

Joe was vacuuming after dinner the other night and Skoebie was terrified of the hose attachment. Stew had crumbled cookies so Joe had to vacuum the table while the boys were sitting there. He just kept saying, "No thank you". Stew kept saying "Do it to me Papa!" Then Skoebie would act interested again and go from happy to terrified. Joe had to hurry and finish vacuuming the crumbs.

Beggar

This was the scene after dinner the other night. Notice Bo's drool! Yuck! I also enjoy that he picked the weakest link at the table to stare down. Go Skoebie, you can resist the tempation to feed the "Puppy". We are trying to teach Bo to not beg, and the boys to not feed him. Then we hopefully won't have to experience this anymore.