Thanksgiving 2014 at the Lake

Thanksgiving week we headed to the lake. Jackson rode back with Papa on Tuesday and then Jimmy, Camden and I came out on Wednesday. Jackson loved his time there with Nana, Papa, Uncle David, Aunt Lis and Sebastian. It was only one night but he sure was excited to see us the next day!

Papa decided to make peanut butter cookies with Jackson after his nap

Papa rolled the balls and Jackson pressed them down. Good teamwork!

We spent an afternoon at the playground. This guy loves to slide. And he isn't afraid to go by himself! He'll even go headfirst on his tummy.

Helping Camden walk up the ladder

Pictures with Daddy

Thanksgiving morning mom woke up feeling sick so David, Lis and I got in the kitchen and started cooking prepping everything. In the end I think mom only had to make the dressing and then she was in charge of getting everything reheated/cooked and ready to serve.

Thanksgiving dinner - Smoked turkey, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, dressing, rolls

A homemade pumpkin roll for dessert and David's chocolate pecan pie didn't make it in the pictures but it was absolutely delicious!

The next morning we had a lazy morning in our pjs playing and snuggling

Reading and riding three wheelers

This sweet handsome boy melts my heart.

Peekaboo!

Camden and Sebastian were having fun playing together and giving hugs. Soon the hugs turned to this

Nevertheless, this was the next reaction

Jackson built a fort under the great room coffee table and spent time coloring in there

Then these 2 decided to get in on the fun too

Is this view not the most gorgeous view to wake up to?! I would give just about anything to wake up to this every day!

We went to the Ritz Carlton to see the life size gingerbread house. See last years house here and you can see the 2012 house here

We took some pictures playing outside at the Ritz. And I am having fun playing with my camera more and trying to take better photos

Tree Lighting at Avalon

We went to Avalon to check out the Christmas tree lighting. They also had a parade and had some fun balloon crafts for the kids. They had ice skating performers and even live bands playing. It was packed when we got there but we enjoyed watching the ice skating and then grabbed dinner before heading over to the big tree for the lighting. We met up with some friends there too. We all enjoyed it and the boys were really in awe of the fireworks. They've seen fireworks before but not as close and not as great as this show! And they had fake snow blowing everywhere!

Static-y hair!

 All tuckered out on the way home

The Art Barn

We went to a birthday party at a place called The Art Barn. It was the cutest place! Farmer Sue owns the place and has horses, chickens, goats, donkeys, sheep, pigs, etc. She starts off telling all the kids some basic rules while there and then gives them brushes to go brush the animals. The animals were very well kept and clean. She lives on the land and also has a "barn" in the center where the kids do some artwork and also have food/cake at the party. I took both boys while Jimmy had another obligation that morning. Camden loved the animals but was not interested in hanging out in the barn to paint or eat. So I was in and out trying to keep both boys happy. While Camden wanted to be out, Jackson was inside and kept insisting I stay with him.

After painting and eating she took the kids on hayrides behind the tractor. I went too and took Camden. It was slightly tricky because he wanted to get down but Jackson enjoyed the ride! It was a fun morning and a really cute place to have a party.

Camden brushing the donkey

 Jackson feeding the horses hay

 Looking for someone else to brush

Here is Jackson's chicken he painted. he had a little help on some of it :)

Cirque Du Soliel: Amaluna

Jimmy and I hadn't been to a Cirque show in about 5 or 6 years and we decided it would be fun to take Jackson. We left Camden at home with a sitter. I am sure he would have enjoyed parts of it too but it was nice having time with just Jackson and I am also not so sure Camden would have been able to sit still the whole time. We went to a 4pm show and Jackson had school that morning, so I got him from school at 1 and went home and put Camden to bed. I told Jackson that we were going to the circus and he didn't have time for a nap but that we were going to have quiet time. For someone who is rarely quiet and doesn't like to do things alone he did so well. He sat quietly on the sofa and drew pictures on the magna doodle and looked through a few books and did some puzzles. Now if only I could get him to do that on a normal day too! Ha! Around 3:15 we left for Cirque. On the car ride he insisted he was not sleepy yet he promptly fell asleep and slept for a good 30 min.

We woke him up when we got there and he was so excited. He had no idea what to expect since we had never been before. Before the show some of the performers walk around and joke with the audience. They sit in your lap or next to you, start eating your popcorn or throw your popcorn all over you. Jackson thought it was hilarious and when someone asked him his favorite part he said when the lizard threw the popcorn. Ha! We all really enjoyed the show and afterwards went to Fellini's for pizza. I really enjoyed our special time with Jackson. We don't always have much alone time with the boys but I think it is important for us to have special time with both separately.

Thanksgiving projects from School

Preschool projects are so very cute. They turn all the letters of the alphabet into animals each week and paint, glue, cut and create other fun treasures. Many times you can tell the teachers have a hand in helping the kids. They are only 3 and sometimes need assistance. But I still love seeing what they make everyday. Most of all I love to see how proud he is of the things he makes! :)