Thanksgiving with the cousins

Thanksgiving in Muskogee was a lot of fun, but I'm tired today! With six children under 5, there was no stillness for the 3 days we were there. From negotiating placement of pack-n-plays for naptimes to nursing babies to changing diapers to the older 3 chasing each other around the house, it was truly a whirlwind of activity! I dearly miss my siblings, their wonderful spouses, and their beautiful kiddos. It makes me so sad that we all live so far apart. It also makes me wish I had a private jet at my disposal and could see them whenever I wanted to.

I'm posting some of my favorite pictures from the holiday. Because we won't see each other at Christmas, Grammy bought all 6 kiddos Christmas pajamas for her Christmas card pictures. I'll put a few of them in here, too.

Jax (7 months), Avery (5 months), Vance (4 months)

The babies are DONE with the picture-taking.

Emerson loves her cousin Addie (she's 2 also).

My sis-in-law Liz, Addie, Parker (almost 5), brother Jace, Vance

My sister Miley, Avery, and brother-in-law Eric

Jax is attempting the world record for sock pulling distance.

Grandpa & Emerson petting Coolie, the palomino. Emerson was a little too scared to sit on him.

Avery is so precious! She stole her Aunt Becca's heart for sure.

The 3 amigos... ornery already.

I LOVE their matching PJs... I'm thinking it's going to be a new tradition.

Thankful

What I'm thankful for today:

1. I'm thankful that I'm spending today with my siblings and their families at my parents' house.

2. I'm thankful that the hottie baseball player I used to secretly spy on is now my husband.

3. I'm thankful that I have two healthy babies and that I get to be home with them every day.

4. I'm thankful that I have the privilege of living in America, despite the state of the union right now.

5. I'm thankful for my friends who keep me sane and grounded and give me great recipes & child-rearing tips.

6. I'm thankful for Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls.

7. I'm thankful that my speeding ticket from yesterday won't go on my record.

8. I'm thankful that I'm about an hour away from eating Thanksgiving dessert. Not just one piece, but a sampling of everything on the table. Thankfully we worked out this morning.

Earth's Best Coupons

I love the Earth's Best brand of organic baby products. I make my own baby food, but for travelling purposes, it's nice to have a few jars in the pantry. I also love their rice, oatmeal, and multi-grain infant cereals. Click below for a page of coupons:

http://www.earthsbest.com/promos/promos.php?cat=coupon

Monday's Playdate

Jeesh, I've fallen behind on my blogging lately. I have no one to blame but myself and my seemingly endless projects that just sit and wait for me to start on them. I'm one of those people who doesn't like to go to bed at night with dishes in the sink and doesn't feel good unless my to-do list is completed daily, so you can imagine the insanity I face on a daily basis with two little ones at home and way too much on my plate! Life used to be so simple...

On Monday my dear friend Kyna came over for lunch with her two beautiful girls. Lexie is one of Emerson's best friends, and Paislee and Jax are only two weeks apart. It really is a blast having two sets of kids so close in age!

Black Friday ads

I'm not one who likes to fight a crowd while shopping, but if you're intersted in venturing out on Black Friday this year, here is a great list of ads that have already been 'leaked.'

http://www.918couponqueen.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1016

Don't forget that at most stores, you can buy these items early, then go straight to the customer service desk on Black Friday for your price adjustment. Saves time & the chaos of waiting in ridiculously long lines.

Friday in the park

I needed our playdate today. I needed to get out of the house and feel the breeze and walk through the fallen leaves. I needed to talk with my friend Leslie and be blessed by her constant encouragement. I needed to watch my big girl run around and play with her friend Claire and marvel at how big they're both getting. I needed to see my friend hold my baby boy and love him with another mother's love. I needed to be reminded why my job as a stay-at-home mom is the most perfect job in the world.

So thank you, Leslie, for being my friend and being exactly what I needed today.

(And thank you for being so talented with your picture-taking and editing. I love each of these!!!)