Christmas Prep

When you're prepping for Christmas the first thing you need to do is put the tree up. We got a new tree last year so this is the first time we got to use the new tree.

 We made sure we got one that wasn't pre-lit so when the lights go out we don't have a repeat of my bloody fingers last year. 

 Putting the star on is a little trickier on a taller tree

 But I LOVE how it turned out and now I'm realizing I didn't get a shot of just the tree when we were done. o-well

 We also did our gingerbread houses. This year it was every man for himself.

 Of course the architects house always turns out amazing.

 Some didn't do as much helping as others....

 Jonah's house we just did a little square but then filled it with candy. It was perfect.

Now we're ready for Christmas!

Basketball fever

We signed Will up for basket ball this year. He told me he wanted to try it and then when he found our I signed him up he was ticked and didn't want to do it. I'm not going to lie...the first couple games were really rough. He wouldn't go for the ball, he wouldn't run, he didn't even try and it was so hard to watch because we wanted him to have fun! Finally we told him we'd buy him ice cream after the game if he took a few shots...didn't even have to make it...and that totally did the trick. Candy is definitely Will's love language.

 It totally worked! All of the sudden he's running, dribbling, and even made some shots! And he really liked it! He had a fun team and ended up loving the season even after the slow start.

Way to go Will!

November Nuttiness

November came and went so fast we barely saw it happen! 

Since our "bonus room" is now done we spend A LOT of time in there. It's heavenly. 

 

 

We also noticed that this tree was just aching to crash down into our living room. I don't think it would've lasted another winter without crushing our house. And since Trav knows how to do everything he became a lumberjack for the day and saved our house.

 

We spent half the day as a family cleaning it all up, which was actually kind of fun. I wish I would've gotten more pictures of everyone helping but I was too busy helping to take pictures. We got that puppy taken care of!

 Now our front yard looks so open and big. It's crazy what a big difference it makes!

 

One of the kids took this and I threw it in just so Trav and I could have a picture together.

 We also had a good snowstorm early on. The kids always love the first one and spent hours building their fort.

 And a snowman...

 For Thanksgiving this year we were at my parents house and everyone was there! It's been a couple years since we've had every single person! We rushed outside to a take a few pictures, and yes, my family is the one where kids aren't dressed for the weather.

 It was good to have the crew together and we had a great Thanksgiving.