MI(A) Thanksgiving

Well, our plans to travel to MI for Thanksgiving were almost MIA. Before we left Titus got a nasty cold virus. After fighting a high fever for days and a trip to the pediatrician we called off our trip. Then we discussed the possibility of only part of our family going....and then in the middle of the discussion Titus' fever broke and he finally started eating again! Although he was still sick we decided to try traveling with a semi-sick child versus splitting up our family. Overall, it worked out great. (Minus him not sleeping at night) We always loving seeing our "Michigan family."

Titus & Meegan
The girls thought it was fun to drop things from upstairs to downstairs.
Daddy's Nana & Grace
Faith had a bloody nose the first night.
Taking a bath in Aunt Cindy's big bath tub.
This is becoming a tradition, the girls love bubble baths.
The kids on Thanksgiving day at Aunt Colleen's house.

I have lots of pictures of Titus pulled up on things.
Grace loved the dogs!


Trying to play twister with Aunty Cindy & Daddy.
Cindy has a fancy glass coffee table so we covered it with a throw blanket for Titus' safety. Here he is playing with Aunt Cheryl who tried to get him to say Mama. He was only saying Dada. Just a week laster he started saying it!!
Titus & Stephanie
The "Babysitters" Payton & Aiden We went out on a date while the twins helped babysit the kids.
Aiden loved Titus.
Titus takes his first "step."
Titus snuggled up and slept with Daddy's Nana or Nan. But it didn't last long as the dogs barking woke him up.

Kohl loved Titus because he dropped food.
Faith loved Aunt Cindy's french toast. She ate so much she skipped lunch.
I love this picture because you can see Titus dropping food for Kohl.
Daddy's Nana & Faith
Our attempt at a group shot.
Saying goodbye.

We had a great trip! (Except for lunch at Cracker Barrel ;)

Holiday Card Dilemas

My Christmas card is a big deal to me...just ask my husband. I put a lot of time into thinking up a super creative card idea that reflects our year. And I have to say we have had some cards I love like the nativity with our thumbprints, I Spy, & even a recipe card. However....last year our life was not exactly holiday card perfect. I was pregnant, overwhelmed, and out of creative ideas for turning the experiences of our past year into a card. So, I e-mailed a Christmas letter of sorts. It made me sad, but it was the reality of my life in 2009. So, I had big plans to get back in the grove this year. I had a great idea of taking a picture of my kids in construction hats and doing an "Under Construction" themed card. But....alas it has not happened.

We didn't get a special family photo for the Christmas card done this year. But, I did have a lot of great photos from the past year so Shutterfly has come to the rescue! I found a holiday card that matched my style (black of course) and by turning my photos to black & white I was able to make a very nice card with 5 of my favorite photos from 2010. After looking through their extensive selection I also got the idea of doing a Top 10 Blessings for 2010. So, thanks to their holiday card collection my Christmas card for this year has been saved! Maybe next year I can go back to my super creative card with a lovely print of our family picture tucked inside. But, aren't you excited to check your mailbox and see what I came up with?

What would be in your top 10 list of blessings this year? Shutterfly has definitely been blessing me. I got 14 free books to give away at my Shutterfly House Party, lots of free shipping offers, promotion codes that helped me make photo books for my family, and 50 free cards for being willing to share this post with you. Thanks Shutterfly!!

Deck the Halls

Before Thanksgiving we were able to warm up our decorating skills by Decking the Halls (or maybe more like the walls) at my Momo's house. Josie met us there and got in on the festivities. We also sorted through her special things to share with family members as she has chosen to simplify her collection. We are really enjoying the special things we brought home. I think of her every time I see them.

The kids did a pretty good job of entertaining themselves. One of their favorite things to do at her house is drag out all her pots & spoons and "cook."

Wish I had taken one of the finished decor. But I guess the pictures reflect Momo's favorite part of our visit us- not the decor!