Happy Thanksgiving!

This morning we woke up early and did the Turkey Trot. It was chilly. Even Jessica said that Colorado hasn't gotten this cold yet. The kids and I did our 1 mile walk and Jessica did the 5K run.

Hayden and Ellie with their shirts and numbers


Had to get a picture with Aunt Jessica


It is hard to tell put Hayden is going along with the aerobic warm-up exercises


Hayden and Ellie at the starting line

At at the 1/4 mile mark Ellie starting complaining of her legs hurting. I put her on my shoulders for a couple of minutes but that was hurting my back too much so we went the rest of the way at her pace. It was slow going.

The kids at the end of the race. Hayden was trying to act tired. Ha!

The kids played at the bounce house they had at the park and we headed home.

Pre-Thanksgivig

Since the kids are with my ex on Thanksgiving and Jessica and Matthew are spending Thanksgiving with Matthew's family... we had Thanksgiving on Wednesday. We had a blast!

Before company came over Michael and Mandi colored while Ellie played on Mandi's Iphone.

We had 15 people over which is a good number for us. It was Me and the kids, Grandma, Aunt Leslie, Mom and Joe, Mandi and Michael, Jessica and Matthew, and Uncle Henry, Aunt Kathy, Ruben, and Eileen.

Eileen is such a teenager with her zebra cover for her phone and "texting 2000 message a day"! Holy toledo batman!!!

After dinner Michael broke out Rockband 2 and we all played.

The boys setting up and picking out a song


Marvelous Matthew on the drums


Magnificent Michael on guitar


Hot Fingers Hayden on bass


Hayden bowed out after a tough song and Eye of the Tiger Eileen was his replacement


Mom and Aunt Leslie were so moved by the music they had to hug each other


Ellie was in awe of the band's brilliant performance

There was a break and switching of band members. I call this group The Babies because they are the younguns of the bunch. ;-)

Jamming Jessica on bass


Eye of the Tiger Eileen moved to drums


Radical Ruben was on guitar




Mandi was enjoying the ambiance of the evening

Oh, I can't forget the most important band member of the night


The crazy chick dancing in the front row! Hahaha!

All three of us girls (Me, Jessica, and Mandi) played a 3 song set and of course we rocked. With all the good food, good company, and playing we were tuckered out. We are going to bed and get ready for the Turkey Trot in the morning. I am hoping that it stays above freezing.

Cowgirl

Mandi had gotten these boots for her last year. We thought they were a size 6 but they were a size 9 and Ellie can now fit in them. She absolutely loves these boots. As we were getting ready to go to Grandma's house for our Sunday visit she picked out this outfit and thought she was looking cute.

Then she added the cowboy hat that Poppa Joe gotten for her Halloween costume


and last but certainly not least... she added the Hannah Montana sunglasses to complete the outfit.

Movie Night

Last night we had Movie Night with the neighbors. Tonight's main attraction was Lady and the Tramp. Of course Heather and I have fond memories of watching Lady and the Tramp when we were young but none of our kids have seen it.

Hayden, Lydia, Ellie, and Duncan ready for the movie


Of course the girls are into the movie


The boys were too and don't let them tell you otherwise.

We all had popcorn and pumpkin pie. The kids also stay up past their 8 pm bedtime and they loved it. Tonight will be game night. Heather and Jim bought Buzz Junior and so we are going to try it out.

Baking Time

The kids came home from a weekend with Cliff's and after 20 minutes of transition time they were both back to their normal selves and wanted to bake a dessert. At first they wanted to look through the cookbook to find something but I stated we didn't have time to go to the grocery store, bake the dessert, eat it and get in bed by 8 pm. I looked on the back of the Hershey's cocoa can and discovered that we had all the ingredients for their Hershey's 'perfectly chocolate' chocolate cake.

Ellie was a big help during the baking process although she did spill milk over the counter and floor. Hahaha. That's all part of baking, right? ;-)

Hayden and Ellie's favorite part.... well maybe second favorite behind actually eating the dessert.

Happy Day

I had a wonderful day today. Woke up in a good mood... tired... but in a good mood. I felt at ease on my impending Head-to-toe Physical Assessment test that I had to do on my partner (we hadn't practice on each other at all but I had practice on my friend, JoAnna, tons) If I didn't pass the test then I wouldn't be going to clinicals. I did very well. I forgot to check skin turgor and breast exam (consisted of inspecting to see the breast were symmetrical and asking pt if she has any nipple discharge, scars, rashes under the breast). Instructor said that I could be her nurse any day... awwww.

When I came home today there were books on my doorstep and they weren't for Hayden or Ellie.... Yay! I know I shouldn't have my signed up for Good Cook Book Club but I did. I received Rachael Ray Yum-o Family cookbook and Ellie Krieger cookbook The Food You Crave. The recipes in both books look delicious. The kids are going to starting 'cooking' a meal once a week. Well, help cook a meal once a week and they will picking out the recipe, making the grocery list, and buying the groceries, etc. I tend to do too much for Hayden and he should start to learn how to cook and follow recipes. Gotta teach them young. ;-) Then maybe he will have a better appreciation for all the cooking I do the rest of the days. Hahaha.

I am excited about The Food You Crave cookbook. I fell in love with Ellie Krieger when I would go over to Grandma's on Friday to help her with her garden and afterwards we would watch the Food Network. All her recipes are so fresh and yummy looking... plus she looks fresh and healthy which leans me to believe that she eats healthy like that in her own life. I want healthy glowing skin like hers. ;-)

I am rejuvenated with new recipes in hand and the confidence that I am able to do this Nursing thing.

I definitely need to make a prayer of thanksgiving for my women's LifeGroup for praying for me. God is good!

Gift

Grandmas was going through her jewerly box and found some old necklaces and gave them to Ellie.

Ellie absolutely loved them




Now Ellie has two cross necklaces.

You should of see her. It was like grandma had given her a million dollars. When Mom showed up to grandma's house Ellie immediately ran out and showed her. Ellie said, "Now I have the same like you." I didn't realize Ellie noticed that Mom does wear a cross necklace. She is very observant.

Halloween costumes

Since it was Cliff's weekend with the kids, I wasn't able to take them trick-or-treating. I was over at grandma's helping her pass out candy and the kids stopped by and I was able to get one picture.

Hayden was "Grimmy" and Ellie was a cowgirl

After they went trick-or-treating they headed to church's 'Trick-my-trunk'. There were several car trunks decorated and the kids went from trunk to trunk. They also had games, bounce house, etc. Hayden changed his costume because "Church is about God and God doesn't believe in killing and that is what my costume is about". He wore his Sock Hop black 'leather' jack with a white undershirt and sunglasses. Both of the kids said they had a great time and received lots of candy.