Our Thankful Tree

My most favorite new tradition for our family was our Thankful Tree. We began our tree the first of  November and added to it each evening we sat around the dinner table. We asked each person to come up with a new thing each night. We would think about it while we ate dinner then pray giving thanks for the specific things mentioned. We then wrote them on a leaf the boys and I cut out. Listening to the boys each night share what they were thankful for was heartwarming. It amazed me all they could come up with and how much they were able to grasp about being thankful. I'm not sure I can get rid of our Thankful Tree now that the Thanksgiving season is over. I moved it to our dining room as something we can reflect on even during this Christmas Season.

I have a few photos but blogger is telling me I must now purchase space for photos. Going to have to look into that for now will post without.

His wonderful works!

Psalm 145:5 - They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—

    and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

A Visit from Friends

This past weekend we got to have company come stay with us. Some of our freinds, The Rocconi's got to come stay with us a couple nights. They have a sweet baby girl, Bryn who was born in March that we had not gotten to meet yet. We all loved Baby Bryn, including my boys. Brayden asked just this morning if we could have a baby sister. I told him he needs to talk to Daddy and God about that. Bransen didn't leave Bryn's side and wanted to help Robin do everything with her. We had a great time just hanging out, visiting and playing. Robin and I took the kids to a nearby mall for Cabella's and a train ride. We were thankful for time with friends and look forward to the next visit. 

 I love this picture. Poor Robin entertaining all, including the 2 dogs. 

 Sweet Robin couldn't tell my wild boys no.

 They loved Bryn's games on the IPAD

 Look at that pretty smile and beautiful blue eyes on Baby Bryn

 John and Brayden playing Angry Birds Space

 Bransen chasing Bryn

 Animals at Cabella's

The huge fish at Cabella's

Sweet words

I wanted to record some of the sweet words and funny comments coming from my little guys mouths.

Brayden has recently decided he wants to sit in the very back of our new car. We got him a high back booster and moved it to the very back. My main reservation with this was the fact that he could no longer buckle himself in due to the fact of it using a car seat belt. I mentioned a few times for him to try to see if he could do it himself so I wouldn't have to crawl back and fasten him. From then on he was determined to do it HIMSELF! And he did. I had the boys load up and forgot something in the house. I ran back in while they were getting loaded. When I got back to the car Brayden was super excited because he had buckled himself. I praised him and told him what a big boy that was and was glad he was able to accomplish that task. His response was "I told Jesus thank you for helping me". Thankful he realizes that God helps us even in the small things.

Brayden and Bransen had been given some money from both sets of grandparents for a Halloween surprise. I told them that I would take them to a local store which they love called "Rural King" (its a huge Farm and Ranch store with great toys) and they could use their money to make a purchase as long as it was less than $10. As we were driving I asked what they might like to buy. Brayden thinks a minute and says, "I know what I'm going to buy", "one of those black and white rabbits".  I gathered myself, laughed and said I think they are going to cost a little more than $10 (thankfully).

As we have watched many many NasCar races, then Olympic Events and then Cardinal Baseball games, the boys began to pick up on the National Anthem. For a long time Brayden has called it the Racing Song. Recently they have picked up that it is more than just the Racing Song. Bransen's new favorite thing to do is line up all his cars in a huge double car single file line (which includes probably near 50 cars). Bransen then states, "Hand on heart" and insist that everyone places their hand on their heart. He begins "Hosaycansee" and then says "Boom boom boom" when rockets red glare and ends the song with a plane noise and motions a plane flying because of course their is always a flyover. I have got to get this on video. So cute!

Dale Jr and his Crew Chief

Wednesday evening the boys had a blast getting to dress up as Dale Jr and his Crew Chief (or Kyle Busch) depending on what mood Bransen was in at the time. We started off our evening with a fun meal of mummy dogs with spiderweb ketchup. We first went to our friends the Bollman's which live in our subdivision and trick or treated them and then walked down their street with the boys' friends Alex, Ty and Carter. They both really enjoyed it! We then came home and Josh built a fire pit while we handed out candy to all the kids that came by. It is crazy to me how into Halloween people around here get. Most people are out in their driveways to hand out candy so it is a great time to meet and visit with your neighbors. We probably visit with ours more on this night than any other time of the year. I have a hard time with this holiday. Don't really like much about it, hence my title Pumpkin Party and Fall theme I use instead of Halloween. I buy the boys costumes they will at least dress up in the rest of the year and I decorate with fall and Thanksgiving decorations instead of Halloween. 

 Dale Jr and his Crew Chief (or Kyle Busch if you ask Bransen)

 They loved their outfits.

 Good friends - Alex and Ty

 Alex, Brayden, Carter and Bransen

 They were off! Very excited but not sure what about as we headed to the first house.

 Brayden leading the way to the first house.

 Brayden and Alex

 Getting the hang of it, a table set up out in the driveway

 My boys

The boys and I sitting out in our driveway

Bransen really enjoyed handing out the candy, Brayden went in when he got too cold.