Giving Thanks

  Thanksgiving is by far one of my favorite holidays in the year.  Family, food and fun.  It doesn't have the hustle and bustle of most of the other holidays for us.  It's relaxing.  Maybe that is what I love about Thanksgiving.

I always love doing projects with the boys and I don't know how much longer they will love to do them with me.  So, I need to take advantage of it while it lasts.  I found this fun idea in Family Fun magazine a few years ago, had it clipped and saved for later fun.  Now was later and we had at it.  It was a perfect "project" for Alex. 

 He unwrapped all the candies by himself and loved that he could do this (for the most part) by himself.  Our little candy acorns!

Ever since Alex was born we have done the same thing for Thanksgiving each year.  We wake up, play a little and head to the gas station to pick up some donuts and the Star Tribune. After getting back home we enjoy our annual donuts, fruit and juice and then proceed to enjoy coloring the turkeys in the paper and watching the parade.  Alex is getting to be such a coloring-phene.  They were both so excited to see their favorite characters in the parade such as Spiderman and Sesame Street.  They even liked the dancers!

While the boys were coloring and watching the parade, Andy and I watched the parade and looked through the ads for the best Black Friday deals. I also finished up the Thanksgiving pies I had started the night before.  I found a recipe for Pecan Pie and Carmel Apple Pie off the internet, Andy suggested we make them again.  But, the best recipe (in my opinion) was the French Silk Pie recipe.  I got it from a friend, Jen.  It was amazing...if I do say so myself :)

Our number one rule on Thanksgiving (and most weekends when we are home)...stay in your jammies as long as possible. So, after naps we woke up refreshed and ready for the big Thanksgiving celebration.  My Mom made these awesome shirts for the boys...we are spoiled!

Thanksgiving was celebrated at my parent's home this year with my brothers, Aunt Irene, Uncle Jeff and cousin Cassie who joined in on the festivities.  It's nice and low key.  We usually play games, talk, watch some football, drink a little and of course eat.

Cassie brought a crafting Thanksgiving wreath to work on with the boys for Grandma and Grandpa.

Alex loves to help set the table.

The Andersen's

The Guse's

We love having Uncle Pete home.

                  The turkey carver, Uncle Luke.                           Sisters (in-law)

Aiden and his GodMom...She will be an excellent Mom some day!

Grandpa and Grandma Johnson

Let's Eat!  My favorite part of dinner? Yes, the food was delicious, but I would have to say hearing Alex sing the song, "Call Me, Maybe". 

Each night at dinner we go around and state our worst thing for the day and end with our best thing for the day.

About a week ago, after this was done at dinner and I could tell Alex wasn't really listening but quickly moving from person to person I told him, "Alex, if you can tell me what Mommy's worst thing was today then you can have a huge fudge ice cream sundae".  

His response?

Without hesitation, "My worst thing today is that I'm not getting a huge fudge ice cream sundae".
He cracks me up!

Finally time for pie! Aiden and I loved our pieces of french silk. Andy had some pecan pie and Alex went for the caramel apple pie.  Uncle Pete though?  Every year Pete has a bet to each each slice of every kind of pie.  I always want to make more pies just to see if he can eat them.  In addition to my 3 pies, my Mom made a pumpkin pie.  

Leave it to Pete...he did it!

Alex wanted some pictures...

Okay... here comes something completely out of character. If you know me at all that is not how I usually talk because I will actually poke fun at Andy most days and tease him.  I love him in a unique way and I'm sure he is thankful for that ;)

I am so thankful this Thanksgiving for all the love and family in my life.  I am most thankful for such a wonderful, supporting and down to earth husband.  He keeps me grounded and is forever my rock.  How cheesy? Guh.  I am also most thankful for the two little men in my life.  They make me smile just thinking about them.  They have such unique personalities and I am better because of them.  

I thank God for them and Andy each day.

Daddy's Bad Leg

 Playing football a few years back (about 10) Andy tore his ACL, had surgery and was back to normal.  Until recently, when he re-tore his ACL and meniscus.  Not that it could ever happen at a good time, because I know if was very painful for him, but if it had to happen...I guess now was the time.  Right after this happened, I already had taken two personal days.  This made it easy for us to get into the doctor and make some appointments.  I was surprised at how fast they were able to schedule a surgery.  We were able to have the consultation appointment on a Thursday and not even a week later Andy was in and getting fixed. 

 

The boys don't really understand what is wrong with Andy.  Whenever Alex is trying to get out of something, or especially whiny he will state, "But, Mom, my leg is broken and I can never walk again".  Yes, he is a bit of an exaggerator.  I have no idea where he gets that from. :) They don't understand why Daddy can't wrestle or come kneel with them for prayers at bedtime.  But, they are definitely enjoying more movie nights like this Polar Express 3D night.

Thank God for the family we have! My early morning dance practices have yet again taken a toll on our family.  Andy is able to drive himself to work, but cannot pick the boys up or help too much in that way.  My Mom has been so gracious to come and wake the boys up in the morning and take them to daycare.  Even on a day she was sick.  She has also been picking them up two days a week from daycare when I tutor after school.  Immediately after surgery, my dad came over every couple of hours to bring Andy food and switch his ice packs.  He and my brother, Luke, put up our Christmas lights all around our house. I don't know what I would do without the help and love of family.

Andy's parents came up on the Sunday after surgery in the late afternoon/evening and brought Papa Murphy's for dinner.  They played games and Legos with the kids. Dave and Andy played some cribbage and cleaned Andy's guns.  Kathy got a glimpse of life today with a one-year old when we suddenly had a "CODE BROWN!" ...That hasn't happened in a while.

Although it has been and is going to be a long process, I am grateful that Andy was able to get his knee fixed and pray that he heals quickly and healthily. 

I Love Me Some Personal Days

A couple of weeks ago our daycare was off on a Wednesday and Thursday.  This "forced" me to take a couple of personal days.  Okay...I was happy to take two personal days.  I have been so busy this fall with coaching dance, conferences, teaching, tutoring, running the boys to ECFE, preschool, and Church choir.  I was happy to take two days to just be with my boys.

I did some research on fun things to do in the area.  I wanted to take them somewhere new and I thought this would be the perfect time.  Most people are working, going to school, or just plain busy during the work day.  Upon the recommendation of a friend at work (Vanessa), we headed over to Jumps and Downs in Shakopee.  The inflatable play center.  For the most part, we were the only ones there.

Although he looks up to his big brother and wants to be just like him, Aiden was a bit hesitant to start jumping.  Located in the Shakopee Town Square, they had six big inflatables, a ball pit, air hockey table, and little toys for little kids to play with. After getting approval from the girl working, I jumped in with Aiden and it didn't take him long to warm up.

After spending the morning at Jumps and Downs, the boys and I ran home to pick up Andy and take him to his doctor's appointment for an MRI.  The next day, we would learn that Andy would soon need surgery on his torn ACL and meniscus. 

We did a lot of around the house fun things too.  The boys love puzzles and spent a good couple of hours working on them.  Alex enjoys helping Aiden with the "easy" board puzzles, but enjoys floor and table puzzles as well.

Daddy left to go deer hunting with my Uncle Jeff and brother Pete for the weekend.  Yes, even with a torn ACL and meniscus my man is a hunter at heart.  The little ones and I had a movie night in which we had popcorn and goldfish with water.  We watched "The Polar Express".  One of our new favorites!

Before Andy left, Alex and I were able to go see Wreck it Ralph! in the monster theater of Lakeville Movie Theater.  There were some "Scary" moments, but overall he really enjoyed the movie.  I didn't think it was half bad either. 

 

On Saturday of that weekend, my mom and I ventured out to Canterbury Downs in Shakopee with the boys for their annual Craft Show.  It was so much fun.  We didn't even get to most of the crafts, but it is fun to see what everyone is making and creating.  I even purchased three Christmas presents while we were there!

That Sunday; Andy, my parents, the boys and I all made it to the 10:45 service to see Alex sing in Church.  If you think my kid is all brave, he does have his moments.  It's a pretty big Church and he was a little nervous.  He threw up just seconds before going up to sing, but he still managed to make it up there and try his best. 

He's in the back row...not very visible :)

 I'm so proud of my little Alex for getting up there and singing.  I know I would have been so afraid at that age.

Deer Opener

 It's officially deer hunting season.  The season has taken on a different meaning for me since having kids.  I used to go shopping with my mom and get some Christmas shopping done.  Now, it's about the kids.  I'm not taking them shopping.  Instead, we got up this morning to go down and visit Grandma Guse for the day.  To my surprise, I woke up to a text stating "I got one" from Andy.  So, almost as soon as we arrived, we got to see Daddy's catch of the day.  And, the 9 point buck sure was a good catch.

First, the boys had fun playing tag with Grandma Guse.

 

Good job, Daddy!

Aaron was wondering if Grandpa wanted to hold up his "deer" next to Andy's.  Lol...

Aaron and Alex were driving around the yard picking up sticks wherever they could find to put into the gator and make a pile.  

We had a nummy lunch and then Grandma made some s'mores in the microwave.

After some playing and a fun game of Uno, the boys were exhausted.  We left for home and Aiden was fast asleep before we hit tar.  Alex was soon to follow.  They both slept until about 4:45 once we got home, too. On our way home, Andy called and stated they were done hunting.  They had maxed out.  Way to go, Daddy!

After a nap; Bethany, Abby and Norah Olsen came over for movie night.  This is our second year of movie night on deer opener weekend.  When the men are away, the women and children will play!  The boys were super hyper and both really excited to have friends over.  They had a pizza, peaches, pudding and juice dinner followed by a television movie and some America's Funniest Home Videos.  Then they were off to bed!  Thanks for coming over, Olsen girls!