I love to crochet, especially making things for other people. A couple of years ago I made scarves for each of the boys' teachers. Last year, I did not, because we were packing and moving just before Christmas. So, this year, once again, I took the boys to Michael's and let them choose "the perfect" yarn for each of their teachers. I fear my boys are growing up as their choices were not as "fun" as they were two years ago, but I digress.

Jacob told me he wanted me to teach him to crochet so he could make his teacher's scarf. That was a great idea. However, the yarn he chose was wavy and not very conducive to learning with. So, I told him I would make this one, with the yarn he chose and teach him with some yarn I had around the house.

Then, I was at browsing yarn another day (really I have way too much yarn already, but again I digress). I saw a knitting loom and thought, that would be much easier to teach than crochet for a first timer, who is 8.

He took right to it.

I think he is proud of his work.

He is so diligent.

Santa will be hard pressed to pick a better Christmas gift for me this year. Isn't this the most beautiful scarf you have ever seen?

This is his next project. We chose some straight yarn for his teacher's scarf and he's making it himself. I think he's proud!

Now, I need a home for this "wavy" purple scarf, that I made.

Twas the last weekend of November

And all through the fam,

Our bellies were full

of Thanksgiving ham.

Ok, it was turkey, but that didn't rhyme.

Black Friday was a hit

For the stores I did head.

Now it's my checkbook

I fear in the red.

Not really, but it DID rhyme.

The stocking were hung

By the TV with care,

In hopes that Saint Nicholas

Would find them there.

I miss having a fireplace!

Candy canes light the path

Up to the front door,

To guide Ol' Saint Nick

As he completes his chore.

Since we do not have a chimney.

From our family to yours

Some holiday lovin'.

And chocolate chip cookies,

Warm from the oven.

Wishing you a happy holiday season!

I am thankful today.

I am thankful for a wonderful husband who got up early this morning, put the turkey in the oven and let me sleep. Is there anything more attractive than a man in the kitchen?

I am thankful for my awesome, healthy children. They have spent several days this week with their grandparents, and it was so quiet here. I missed the energy that is a houseful of boys! I love these guys so much.

I am thankful for our parents. My dad and Brian's mom have been so helpful to us over the years. We would not be where we are if not for their love and support... and babysitting!

I am thankful for my education. I'm still in the middle of it, but it allows me to follow my heart and help people when they need it most. I see on a regular basis just how blessed I am.

I am thankful for Brian's education. It pays the bills while I am going to school. I'm thankful that Brian has found a career that he loves. We will never be wealthy, but we are happy at work.

I am thankful that we have everything we need. We have a home, in this terrible economy, when so many are homeless. We have food, when many are hungry. We have love, when so many are lonely. We are truly blessed.

Ok, someone posted on of these "who does your child look more like" things and since I have nothing better to do than waste time playing on the computer... I did it too.

It appears that Nate favors Brian just a teeny bit more than me. Which is funny, because I thought of the three, he looked most like me. What do I know?

It said that Jacob looks equally like me. I think Jacob looks just like Brian. One of these days, I'm going to scan some pics of us as kids, just for fun. Jacob. Looks. Like. Brian. Of course, with his new glasses, someone commented the other day that he looks like me. Again, what do I know.

The really funny thing is, this thing also said that Joshua looks equally like Brian and me. Now, Brian is not Joshua's biological father, so I guess there is something to the saying that people who spend a lot of time together start to look like each other. I say, it's the mustache. I. Do. Not. Have. A. Mustache.

So, take a look at each of them (the following three posts) and tell me who you think the kids look like.

Tay Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Look-alike Meter - Genealogy site - Free genealogy

Tay Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Tay Look-alike Meter

MyHeritage: Family trees - Genealogy - Celebrities - Collage - Morph

I know I have mentioned how much I love my house. It makes me happy to drive down the road and see it, wrapped in it's white picket fence. I love the big trees in the front yard that shade the kids playing in the summer. But, those trees, like a big dog, shed... alot. Today, my dad decided to rake up all the leaves in the front yard for the kids to jump in.

Nate went first, head first, into the pile.
Jacob, more cautious, got in on the action.

I love seing them play together.

And what fun is a pile of leaves if you don't throw them up and let them rain back down on you (and everyone else in the area)?

Then you have to rake them back into a pile...

Thanks for the help Joshua!

And because we know that Nate does not do anything the simple way. Here is how Nate "jumps" into a pile of leaves.

I still have a pile of leaves in my front yard. I wonder who is going to put it in the yard waste bin... What a fun fall afternoon.

Today, I took the little boys to the eye doctor. I knew Jacob would need new glasses. He had has glasses for two years now for reading and watching TV (which he has not been wearing when he should). That being said, Jacob was told today that he now needs to wear his glasses every day. He is nearsighted and has astigmatism, which he must have inherited from me. But, I must say he looks so cute and studious:

Nate on the other hand was quite disappointed to find out that he does NOT need glasses. I think he feels left out since everyone else in our family wears glasses. He is a bit farsighted, but not enough to need glasses, yet. The doctor agreed, it's only a matter of time...

Happy birthday to my favorite nephew SHAWN! We had a great time hanging out with him and his friends yesterday. I think he had fun too, if this photo is any indication. "I only missed it by this much."
Unfortunately, I did not realize that my camera battery was nearly dead. This was the last photo I got, and it didn't even flash. But, I did get one (very bad) picture of the object of Shawn's affection. That would be Hilda; she the only girl in the picture. She is such a tiny thing, which is particularly funny considering Shawn is at least 6 feet tall.

This is Shawn's friend Matt. I wonder what the result of this ball was. He's not giving any indication in this picture. I think he's holding his breath.

Here's Joshua. Doesn't look excited here. Can you get a good picture of someone bowling, because everyone seems to look like this, lol.

Hey, Shawn gets to bowl too. And I think he did too shabby either.

This is Aunt Sheri's princess. Also known as Shawn's little sister Faith. She is such a cutie!

This is Shawn's dad, Jeb. I'm so glad he came and brought Faith. Shawn was happy to have them both there too. Oh, and Jeb kicked our collective behinds at bowling.

Jacob got into it too. I didn't get a picture of Nate due to the dead battery. But, I think we have to do thing again soon. The kids loved it.

And what's a birthday without a birthday cake, even when you're 15! Somehow Shawn acquired the nickname Pacman. My understanding is that it had something to do with playing badminton in PE last year. Anyway, he was very happy with his Pacman cake. He is so easy to please.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHAWN! I LOVE YOU!

I love being a soccer mom. Even when it means getting up early on a Saturday morning, lugging the lawn chairs, water bottles, snacks, sweaters and my coffee, from one field to another to catch both boys' games. Even when we have two practices at two different schools at the same time. Actually, that doesn't bother me so much, because I am in class at the time and Brian is juggling practice. I don't even mind slopping across the muddy practice field in my work shoes, because I go straight from work to meet them there.

Ok, so soccer is a bit inconvenient. Actually, it's a bit ol' pain. But, I seriously love it! And the kids love it! And they are so cute in their uniforms...

Here's Nate playing goalie.

Way to block that kick, NATE!
Could they be any cuter? This is the under 6 team.

Here is Jacob's team warming up.

Practicing some dribbling.

Teamwork! Pass that ball.

This one says it all!

If you have children, I'm sure you will relate to these photos. My utmost respect to the outrageously expensive professional photographers who can take an unruly group of children and create a lovely portrait to hang over Grandma's fireplace. They deserve every penny. And if they can capture the "real" family behind the picture, even better. I shared some of the photos my friends Melissa took of our family recently. She sent me these yesterday, and I just had to share them too. They make me smile, because they are so US! These are the pictures behind the photos on Grandma's wall.

Jacob was not in the most cooperative mood that day.

This one just makes me smile. Is it too much to ask everyone to look at the camera?

Melissa and I and the little boys were waiting for Brian and the older boys to move the car when this guy came flopping down the beach. He looked like a penguin. This one makes me smile too, because it reminds how much fun I had with my friend and my family that day on the beach.

Happy Veteran's Day to those who serve our country.

In honor of some of my favorite Veterans:

First my hubby Brian. He was in the Navy. He earned his GI bill to go to school and now he is teaching math to at-rick high school students. I am so proud of him.

My Daddy was in the Marines and spent two tours in Vietnam. Regardless of your views on the war, he was in a dangerous place, doing what he felt was right.

My father-in-law, who I didn't get to know, because he passed away soon after Brian and I met was in the the Army. Now, there is the opportunity for some good humored rivalry.

My Brother-in-law Paul was also in the Navy.

My uncle Ken was in the Army, as was his wife Mona.

My uncle Rick was in the Marines.

My friends Aimee's Daddy was also in the Navy. He is just one of those amazingly thoughtful men. I hope I get to meet him on of these days.

My hat's off to all of you and those who served before you, along side you, and after you to keep us safe. My thoughts are also with those who are missing a loved one today who paid the ultimate price for our freedom.