The Best Aunt Ever!

Every year we go down to Wichita for Thanksgiving. And every year we wake up the next morning, go to the Christmas Tree Farm, and pick out our tree to bring back home with us. It has just become a family tradition. Unfortunately, this year Jake and I both had to work the next morning, and had to come back home the same night. This is where my sister, Jaime, earns her "Best Aunt" title. She kindly kept the boys over night, at my parents house. The next morning, she took them to the farm to see Santa, ride the train and spend more time with their cousins. She kept them most of the next day, before bringing them back home. The boys had so much fun, and actually didn't want to come back home. This would usually hurt a mom's feelings, but not me. I am so happy that they love going to Grandma and Grandpa's house, and they have so much fun with their many cousins. Thanks Jaime for being such an awesome Aunt, and almost like a 2nd mom to my boys. They are so lucky to have you!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm posting this early, but we will all be on the road early tomorrow. We will be going to Wichita to have Thanksgiving with, almost, my entire family. If I calculated correctly, 26 of us will be crammed in my parents house. Never a dull moment there.

On that note, I am thankful for my family. I think Jake gave me 2 great boys. They are healthy and smart, and I am so glad they have so many great cousins, that they get to be close friends with. I am thankful for my parents and how much they love all 20 of their grandkids. Their love never runs low, and I know my boys can't wait to head to Wichita, just to see them. I am thankful Jake is working so hard at work, and at finishing school. His health is really heading in the right direction and he is a great provider. For some reason, he also loves me unconditionally. Sometimes, I wonder why?! I will always be the first to admit that I am not that easy to live with.

Riley learned a lot about Thanksgiving this week, I made his top 3 list. (HA! HA! Sorry Dad.) Ultimately, his brother, Reece, is his #1 person he is thankful for. I LOVE IT! I am so glad they are still best buds, and Riley really misses Reece, while at school. Same goes for Reece.

Well, I wish everyone a happy, safe and healthy Thanksgiving. Now eat a lot of Turkey and have fun!

Happy Birthday Jake!!!

Your Birthdate: November 24
You understand people well and are a natural born therapist.A peacemaker, people always seem to get along when you are around.You tend to be a father or mother figure to friends, even to those older than you.You enjoy your role, and you find that you are close to many people.
Your strength: Your devotion
Your weakness: Reliance on others for happiness
Your power color: Lilac
Your power symbol: Heart
Your power month: June

The first line makes me laugh, because Jake is finishing his degree in psychology and is constantly analyzing me...

I was an "Angel" today!

This year, the girls at my work decided to bring in an "Angel Tree." I know, with it not even being Thanksgiving yet, it is hard to think about Christmas being 32 days away. It's coming quickly. This time of year is, by far, my favorite. It is also too easy to get caught up in the Christmas "madness." Even though this is always a very tight time in our household, financially, I know it could be so much worse. There is so much for my family and I to be thankful for. Today, I took the boys to Target to shop for a 2 year old boy, that only wanted cars and trucks. It was so much fun watching them get excited about buying a few toys that they probably take for granted themselves. I explained why we do this, and why giving has a way better feeling than getting. Although, they are still young, it is never too early to start being a good example.

Reece at the "Back Doctor"

Reece woke up 2 days ago, crying that his neck hurt. We usually don't pay much attention to Reece crying (since we've been listening to it for almost 4 years), but this time was different, we could just see the pain in his eyes. It hurt him to raise his arm, or tilt and turn his head. It was so sad. We mentioned over breakfast, we would have to take him to the chiropractor, or as Reece says, the "Back Doctor." This made him cry even more. Eventually, he realized that the pain was enough for him to want to see the doctor. Reece has seen me often at the Chiropractor, and was an instant pro. He was AMAZING! He sat down with no problem, allowed the doctor to adjust him, and didn't cry one bit. Obviously, the doctor was very careful and didn't do anything too traumatic, and when all was done, Reece was thirsty enough for a little drink of water. He still complains about a little pain, but I don't see the pain like we did the first day. Hopefully, it's just sore muscles getting better by the day.

(Yes, I'm aware that it looks like Reece is wearing black lipstick in the 1st picture. I don't know why, but occasionally my camera does this, and only to Reece. Creepy. If anyone knows why, let me know...)

The 8 is Great Tag...

A BIG thanks to Andrea, for this tag... here I go!

~8 FAVORITE TV SHOWS~

1. KU Basketball (does that count?)

2. Samantha Who?

3. Grey's Anatomy

4. King of Queens

5. Friends (even reruns are great)

6. Arrested Development (same goes...)

7. Weeds

8. Desperate Housewives

~8 THINGS THAT HAPPENED TO ME YESTERDAY~

(I can hardly remember yesterday, so I'll fill you in on today)

1. Woke up boys and helped Riley finish homework.

2. Dropped Riley off at school.

3. Scrapbooked with Dawn. (I'm only 3 years behind.)

4. Picked up Riley from school.

5. Took boys to get fall pictures taken by Dawn.

6. Ordered holiday greeting cards.

7. Got home to make dinner and do laundry and more homework with Riley.

8. Watched some college basketball.

(So that was more than 8...)

~8 FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT~

1. Longhorn Steakhouse

2. NOT Outback Steakhouse, Andrea!! =p

3. Pizza Hut

4. IHOP (love my breakfast food)

5. Quizno's/ Mr. Goodcents

6. Sonic

7. Semolina's (if only it still existed)

8. Anywhere I don't have to do the cooking!

~8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO~

1. Another KU championship.

2. A vacation.

3. Christmas.

4. Summertime.

5. Medical Bills to stop coming.

6. Watching the boys grow up.

7. Jake to finish school.

8. Any day I have off.

~8 THINGS ON MY WISHLIST~

1. Jake's health to continue to get better.

2. Boys to grow up happy and healthy.

3. More money.

4. A home closer to Grandparents.

5. Season tickets to KU basketball games.

6. Shopping spree.

7. Day at the spa.

8. Travel somewhere tropical.

The fun stops here... I tag NO ONE!

Happy 7th Birthday Britton!

Today is my nephew, Britton's, birthday! We hope you have a great day and we see you soon. Phil if you are reading this, I really need an updated photo. We love you guys! (Britton is my brother, Phil's, oldest)

Nieces and Nephews

I recently got some new, group pictures of some of my brother and sister's kids. I thought this would be the best way to display them.

Joanna's kids

Aaron's kids

Football pictures

Unfortunately, we were in Wichita when Riley's team had their professional pictures taken, so this is the best I have. It turned out that Riley's jersey DID NOT have Wildcats anywhere on it. I was pleased. One of the pictures is from practice, when he caught his first pass. I was so happy to get that one. Other than that, he was mostly, best at being in the "ready" position. You know, with his hands on his knees. I am very proud of Riley for wanting to try something new (we asked him if he wanted to play and he said yes) but, 6 might have been too young. His team was one of the youngest ones out there, and coach yelled a lot. It was frustrating for him, because all of the 6 and 7 year olds were too busy wrestling and goofing off all the time. Riley was the opposite, but the motivation wasn't quite there. He still got out there every game and practice, he is just a "laid back" kid and doesn't put too much effort into activities like this. My hope is that this will change as he gets older. At least he got the experience and he always tries.