Thanksgiving Celebration #1 - Friends!

Last Saturday we celebrated Thanksgiving with our friends!! Heather hosted this year and it was so fun! It was completely casual and all the kids got to play together. We had tons of yummy food...

Locked the kids in the basement -- Haha!!

Tried desperately to get a picture of all the kids together....

And settled for a picture of us instead....

Friday Confessions

This week flew for me!! I love those kind of weeks!! We have a pretty big weekend planned...I'm going to my first ever OSU game! Although, I'm not looking forward to the weather, I'm super excited!!!

Let's confess....

1. We broke a big rule last night. We did. We snuck a picture with Santa. (hanging my head in shame). We took an impromptu trip to the mall and Ava begged me to sit on Santa's lap!!! I didn't want to get a picture package because the cheapest one is $27!! And Bass Pro is free?? Thanks, I'll pass. But I still wanted a picture, right? So I had Hannah sneak a picture. Not bad for a sneak...Haha!

2. I confess I have never seen a child clean a chicken bone like my child. The other night we went to BDub's for dinner and I got her an adult meal and I got a kids meal???? And we both cleaned out plates!

3. I confess that I am so loving all the Christmas peppermint stuff! Coffees and candies and smells and just yumminess. Hershey's Peppermint Bark? Buy it. You will thank me.

4. I confess that I am super bummed about my Sirius radio expiring. I got it free for a year with my car. On December 17th, we will part ways. And I'm going to miss that little bugger....

5. I confess that I do NOT love Peanut Butter pop tarts! Yep, I said it. Pop tarts, chocolate, and peanut butter. Recipe for amazeness. And I just don't think it is. I've tried twice and I'm just not in love. Sorry, Kellogg's!

And I got a little bonus parenting trip for you today! How nice am I??? If you are looking for a way to get your child to lay out their clothes the night before, pop up out of bed all bright eyed and bushy tailed, get dressed, and hair combed and shoes on, completely unpromted...

Just buy them a new Jake shirt. Guaranteed success!!! She was ready to leave before my hair was even dried!

Have a great weekend!!

My Favorite Picture

Ava: Mom, do you know that picture of me and you in China?
Sara: Which one, honey?
Ava: When we were laying on the bed and laughing? That's my favorite picture.

And this may have been my most favorite moment ever. And I got it captured in a picture. Perfection.

Annual Holiday Parade!

Do you ever take your child to a function that you think "it's not that big of deal" and then realize that your child is amazed and it warms your heart to see her so excited?!?!?!?

I last minute decided to take Ava downtown to the Annual Holiday Parade. We bundled up and parked at OC. We found a spot and snuggled in. I had never been before so I didn't know what she would think. She LOVED it!!! I'm so glad we went!!! And it got us in the holiday spirit! But I'm still not putting up my tree...Haha!  

 Afterwards we went to do a little holiday shopping. Little girl HAD to have this new jersey! How could I tell her no? And soon after she stripped in the car to put it on, the Buckeyes scored a touchdown!! GO BUCKS!!!

Cleft Clinic

 On Thursday we had Ava's annual Cleft Clinic appointment. Her appointment was at 9:30 and she has been begging to come to work with me. I figured this was the perfect time since it wouldn't be too long. She was pretty good except for the farting. She let a big one rip! Everyone pretended like they didn't hear it, but I know they did. And then I explained to her that when she has to fart, it's time to go into the bathroom to handle it in private. Haha!!!

We got to the appointment and settle into a room. It was all fun and games at first!

But then we waited and waited. Did I mention we waited some more??? Well, I did. Ava, well, see below...

She perked right up when the first Dr. came in and promptly asked him why they still had skeletons up because Halloween is over. Skeletons being the skull replica that I'm sure they use to show facial bones. Haha!! The Dr. took it all in stride.

We had a great appointment!! No changes or anything to worry about right now. We will be looking at surgery probably around the time she turns 7. Of course she doesn't understand that. She thought they were going to rush her into surgery! Poor girl.

We currently have no cable at our house after the storms on Sunday. So we have been doing alot of this....

I'm thankful that all we have is no cable. Some people lost their homes, some lost personal belongings. We were lucky! But pray for my dad. He lost a portion of his roof, but luckily it was covered by homeowners and is being replaced today. They are still without power and have been staying in a hotel. Keep them in your prayers!!!

Friday!!!

Hello, Friday!!! You are welcomed with open arms today! Let's get to it, shall we??

1. I confess that Ava doesn't know the perfect timing just yet. The other day John and I were having a little heated discussion about the garage door. Right in the middle of it, Ava yells "Dad! Can I have a guinea pig for Christmas?" Need to work on that timing thing...but it did get us laughing! Haha!

2. I confess whoever invented the chocolate peanut butter pop tarts may be one of my most favorite people EVER!!!

Chilling at Mommy's work for a bit 

3. I confess sometimes I wish I had my own room and my own bed. I love my husband and my child. However, they both take about 3 minutes to get situated to go to sleep and it's so annoying!!

4. I confess that I keep a secret stash of Ben & Jerry's in my freezer. I found out last night it's not such a secret any longer and also is no longer there. John and Ava polished it off. Thanks, family! :)

I love how this kid plays...

Have a great weekend! It's going to be so weird not going to a football game tonight!!

Meeting Baby Aubrey and the darned garage door!!!

Ava's teacher at school, Miss Ashley, had a beautiful baby girl back in October. And last night, we got to go over to meet Little Aubrey Kathryn!! What a little peanut!!!

After leaving Ashley's we had to rush home to meet the garage door guy....So let me give you a little backstory...

Tuesday night, we came home from work and school and the garage door wouldn't open more than 6 inches. John was working. It was freezing. It was raining. It was windy. Not a great night for this to happen. So I called Kelly, my neighbor, because what else was I supposed to do? Lol!! She told me to come over for dinner. I cracked up and asked how that was supposed to get me in my house. So we went to dinner and then Kelly and I came back over to force the door open. Well, genius Sara parked her car in the garage. And closed it. I was thinking John would fix it in the morning. Well, he couldn't. And we couldn't force the door open again. So my car was stuck. After a pleading Facebook post, we found a guy who came out same day. We have new springs and my car is out of the garage! Woohoo!! You were pretty interested in the project and posted camp in the kitchen to keep an eye on Pete, the garage door guy!

So thankful today for friends with great connections!!