A few thanksgiving photo's

I'm happy to announce, that we had a very nice thanksgiving! I wished I could have been able to spend it with the rest of my family as well, but I did speak to them. I didn't get a lot of photo's as I was busy trying to prepare the food, but here are a few that I did manage to get.

The girls checking out what is good in the kitchen!

Dad (my FIL)

Aunt Stacey & Sage & Hunter!

Aunt Stacey & Rach!

That was a little peak inside our thanksgiving day. Along with watching the Macy's Day Parade! I hope you all had a great holiday! Now, its time to start getting ready for Christmas! :)

Thrusday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Monica This weeks list is 13 things I would love to have for Christmas! 1. A New Car 2. A SLR Digital Camera 3. A Red 6qt Kitchen Aid 4. A Circut 5. Carribean cruise 6. Spa Day 7. Ipod 8. Cake Decorating Classes 9. Culinary Classes 10. The new Nicholas Sparks Book 11. A Wii 12. Animal Crossing for the Wii 13. New Laptop

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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving! It is a hard one for me, being away from my family and friends, but we are making the best of it. We are thankful for being able to spend our first Holiday Season, with my in-laws. Our family wishes yours the very best. Enjoy your Turkey & Pumpkin Pie!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving:

To get in the spirit of thanksgiving, we made some turkeys. The kids traced their hands, and made pretty turkeys! :)

Here are all three!

Here is Rachel's:

Here is Hunter's:


Here is Sage's:

Aren't they cute??? Such fun!!

First Attempt.....

In having girls, you know you have to to become the best Hair dresser ever! My daughters always want their hair up, or in some pretty way. Well, consider I never really do much with mine, its hard for me to do that. I've been practicing, but still need improving. I've always liked their hair up in a French Braid but I can't do them. I learned how to do my own, but it was an inverted braid. Haven't done it so long though, I don't know if I could still do it. Today I decided to give it a whirl and try to do a French braid on sage's hair. Here are the results.






I don't think I did to bad, for my first attempt, and on such a wiggly girl, but diffidently need to practice.

Feeling Crafty....

I had mentioned that we signed up for the Kid Ornament swap, with The Crafty Crow & Full Circle. Well, after looking through several craft books, the internet, and racking my brain, we came up with a ornament. Today we did a test run, and wanted to share our results with you. Let us know what you think. We are hoping to have them finished, and mailed out by the end of the week.

The Simple Women's Daybook!

Outside my window..... A little chilly, but the temp is on the rise again....the sun is trying to peek through the clouds. :)


I am thinking.... Thanksgiving is only 3 days away! Oh, how I am going to miss my family this holiday season....


From my imagination.... A chart for our chores, and some boyscout stuff!


I am thankful for.... Times I get to speak with my friends.


From the kitchen.... Strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting! :) Maybe some homemade Mac & Cheese for lunch.


I am wearing..... My pj's still.



I am reading.... Christmas with Anne, and some Charlie & Lola books with the kids!



I am hoping.... What to do with the kids this week. Hunter is on Vacation, trying to keep them occupied, should be interesting! :)



I am creating... Our Christmas Ornament for the Kids Swap.... so we can mail them out on time!



I am hearing.... The Disney Channel, and Hunter and Rachel singing!



Around the house.... Laundry, Cooking, Crafting, writing, all kinds of stuff!



One of my favorite things.... Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, with gravy! Then Pumpkin Pie with lots of whipped cream!



A few plans for the rest of the week..... Make a word wall for Hunter (still didn't get it done last week), cooking(pies to be made), Reading, scrapbooking, Story time, lots of memories to make with Hunter while he is on vacation, and talking to family and friends. :) Happy Thanksgiving everyone!




A picture I am sharing.....

Sage creating a beautiful Lego Masterpiece!

Saturday Fun for Free.....

Have you heard??? (ok, sure most of you have) Home Depot, has a kids building workshop the first Saturday of every month. Back in Maine we used to take our kids to it all the time, til gas prices sky rocketed! They got a cute Home Depot apron, and when they completed a project, they would get a pin from that particular project, and a certificate of completion. My kids collected quite a few. They do it down here to, but Home Depot is a bit away from us. In either direction.


Through the grapevine, I heard that they do a similar thing at Lowe's. Only they do their's every 2 & 4th Saturday. Now, I know most of you up in Maine the closest one is in Augusta, so I suggest maybe do a big trip once a month and try to hit it. So we decided to give it a try this morning.... Well worth it! At Lowe's they give you an apron, and their own little pair of goggles, to keep! :) Upon completion of their project, you get a patch (instead of a pin) along with a certificate of completion. One other big plus is their projects have predrilled holes, making it a bit easier for the kids to hammer them in own their own. I helped Sage still of course, Hunter was helped by Andy, and Rachel had a Lowe's associate helping her. I must say Rachel must take after her Grandma Michaud cause she was doing a great job on her own. She was so proud of herself! I told her, that her and grandma are going to have to start building stuff together, they would make a great team! Of course again, no fun occasion is complete without pictures. Hope you enjoy!

Waiting patiently for the fun to start!

This is what it looked like before...

Sage doing better than I thought she would with the hammering! She has excellent hand, eye coordination.

Here are the finished project's! :)





They did a great job... We had so much fun! The next time isn't until December 13th, but they are making wooden gingerbread houses, so cute!!! I suggest checking it out if you have time!

What Big Brothers are for.....

Hunter has really come to love reading books in the last few months. More so now that he knows how to read faster, and quicker. Due to his 100 every first grader should know. The teacher sent me home a list, so I can work on them with them.. The theory being that if they learn them, they will read much quicker, cause he won't get hung up on those particular words. I must say, I think they are right. :)
Anyway, the point to my blog. Hunter sat down and read some books for the first time all by himself to his sisters?? Awe, so sweet. After all what are big brother's for?? Of course I had to capture a picture of it. So I wanted to share this precious moment, to me, with you! :)

Where have you been?

Just a bit of knowledge about me! Where have you been??

States I've been to....

Make yours @ BigHugeLabs.com

Thrusday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Monica 13 of my Favorite Foods: 1. Homemade Mac & Cheese 2. Lasagna 3. Stuffed Shells 4. Pizza 5. Taco's 6. Beef Stew 7. Ham Italians 8. Salad 9. Ritz crackers 10. Ice Cream 11. Brownies 12. Pumpkin Pie 13. Chocolate Cake w/ Peanut Butter Frosting

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants



THIS IS HOW THE ORANGE STYLE LOOKS:

Fun!

I found this one over on Lisa's Blog yet again! I just love her blog! :) Hope you enjoy....

Feel free to grab this to do on your own blog. If you don't have one, feel free to grab it to do via e-mail. Have fun!

Anyway, this is really simple, but fun. You just highlight the things you've done in your life. Mine are in bold and italics!

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland/world

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang Solo

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (from the beach)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

20. Slept on an overnight train

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run
32. Been on Cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

48. Been transported by ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a Marital arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated Blood, plasma or Platelets
65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visit the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a Brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating

88. Had chickenpox (3 times)

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94. Had a baby

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a Lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

Signature

What do you think of my new signature??? I had made up, after seeing the beautiful work she did over on Lisa's blog, The Berry Patch. I think it is beautiful! :) Thanks again Summer.
If you want to see her work, go here... http://designsbysummer.blogspot.com/

Kids & there choices!

Sage the crazy kid that she is.... decided that she was going to get dressed her way! She usually gets dressed without my help anyway...but this was cute. :) Check out her choice of clothes.....

Old things....

Do you remember the Tether Ball??? I used to play it all the time in Elementary school. So, I was surprised to see that they had it at the store! Papa, thought the kids needed a toy to play with outside....since they don't have much here. Here are few pictures of the girls trying to PLAY! I found it very humorous, to explain and watch them play......

Family Game Night...

As a busy family of 5 we are often faced with "Quality Time" issues. Often making it hard for us to do individual time for each child..... Therefore, a while ago we came up with a Family Game Night. Mind you it may not always be on the same night... depends on the schedule. This past Saturday afternoon with the question of what to do, we turned it into a game opportunity. (even though we left our kid games in Maine, what was I thinking I know) However, luck have it... Nana stumbled across a sale and was able to pick up Candy Land, and Chutes and Ladders practically nothing. I was so excited! :) Here are a few photo's of us, having fun!

Candy Land Oh, the memories! :)


Chute's & Ladders! Another favorite.....

Aside from our Family Game Night, we also have a few other family things we put on the calendar for once a month. Such as, Pizza Night where we make homemade pizza together...making it a family event. Also, we do a Movie Night where we pick a family movie, new or old, make popcorn, or sundaes, and curl up on the floor and watch! These are just a few ideas we have..... what do you do for special family time on a regular basis?

The Simple Women's Daybook!

Outside my window..... Sunny, and cool... a bit breezy!


I am thinking.... Wow, one more week until Thanksgiving??? Where did the time go?


From my imagination.... A kid friendly craft for the kids to send away for our Ornament Swap!


I am thankful for.... Conversations with my mom.... I miss her greatly!


From the kitchen.... Not a lot, need to go grocery shopping.


I am wearing..... Jeans & a short sleeve shirt. I know sad! :)


I am reading.... New Moon, finished Twilight on Saturday night... Now I'm hooked, like the rest of the nation! :)



I am hoping.... That next week goes smooth... Hunter is on vacation all week!



I am creating... Scrapbook pages .... still trying to finish that book!


I am hearing.... the girls chitter chatter, and the neighbors dogs barking!



Around the house.... Dishes, laundry, and happy girls!



One of my favorite things.... Being creative, and writing letters to the ones I love and miss! :)



A few plans for the rest of the week..... Make a word wall for Hunter (didn't get it down last week), cooking, Reading, scrapbooking, Cub Scouts, Story time, and talking to friends. :)


A picture I am sharing.....

Thrusday Thirteen

Thirteen Things about Monica 13 Places I would love to Travel too... 1. Paris 2. Italy 3. Greece 4. Spain 5. Ireland 6. Brazil 7. Australia 8. Iceland 9. Alaska 10. Hawaii 11. Arizona 12. Montana 13. Fuji

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A new post....

I found this new blog, while surfing around on some others. See what happens when you are trying to kill time??? Well, I was reading about it, cause as you all know... there are many different kinds of posts out there that you can join in. Like Simple Women's Daybook which i like cause it tells you about other peoples day. Another way to get a peek inside their life. Well Thursday Thirteen is very similar. It is designed to get to know people better. At the same time challenges the poster to think. :) I am going to try it, cause really a blog is about telling about your life, and yourself right?? I hope you enjoy it, and maybe decide to look into doing it with me. I will be posting my first one tomorrow.

New Project!

I was reading my blogs the other day, and on Lisa's (The Berry Patch) she had this Kid Ornament Swap listed. I decided to go check it out. As I was reading it, I must say I thought it would be a cool idea. Seeing we had to leave our Christmas stuff behind for now, and we aren't going to have any snow for Christmas (a first for the kids). With this, you make like 5-8 ornaments, and mail them to the people they give you, and you will receive some from other families in return. I think it would be cool. Plus get us in the spirit of Christmas and giving. I encourage you to check out the site, for further detail, and consider it. :) Plus it is a fun thing to do with your kids.

Here is the site: http://belladia.typepad.com/crafty_crow/2008/11/kids-ornament-s.html

Hope you enjoy!

The Simple Women's Daybook!

Outside my window..... Sunny, and cool... another perfect day!


I am thinking.... Will it be another long week???


From my imagination.... File folder games for the girls. Maybe a turkey thanksgiving craft. Check out this new blog, with awesome new ideas.... http://lets-explore.typepad.com/weblog/


I am thankful for.... Inspiring Children, and wonderful friends.


From the kitchen.... Not much the last few days... Having a dry spell. :)

I am wearing..... Jean shorts, a tee, and bare feet.

I am reading.... Twilight, and Confessions of a Shopaholic

I am hoping.... The kids attitudes will improve this week. I'm scared what teenage years will look like.

I am creating... Scrapbook pages .... still trying to finish that book!

I am hearing.... the girls watching morning cartoons, and the coffee pot telling me its done. (yes it beeps to let you know when its finished)

Around the house.... Dishes, laundry, and crazy kids!

One of my favorite things.... Story time at the library, and meeting new people.

A few plans for the rest of the week..... Make a word wall for Hunter, cooking, organizing, scrapbooking, Cub Scouts, Story time, and Andy starting a new Job! :)

A picture I am sharing..... Andy's chalk work at Disney

Festival of the Arts

What better way to spend a Sunday....then at Downtown Disney at the Festival of Arts! Even better it was all free! Long over due to get out of the house, we decided to take a trip to Downtown Disney. There was many free activities for the kids to do, among the varies booths of Art work. On the West side, their was lots of pictures from various artist, unfortunately I did not get any pictures of it. At Cirque de Soule, they were doing face painting. What an extraordinary job they did. Pictures to follow blog. :) Andy and I even joined in on the fun.... Disney Quest was doing a class, to teach you how to draw different characters. I of course had to make a pit stop at the Candy Cauldron to pick up some much wanted fudge! YUM!!!! Right before entering back to the east side, we stopped at a spot, where the kids made cards, and I was able to get a free issue of Wondertime, and Family Fun magazine. SWEET!

On the East side, we arrived just in time to get free Mickey Ears....with the 2008 logo on it. That of course put us in the mood to feel like tourist. Silly I know...... The Lego store was having you make Lego bricks, to help make their 8ft Pirate. Sage made a red one, and Hunter and Rachel made a yellow one. Now they can say they helped make it! When it is completely put together i will post a picture! Next to the World of Disney store, they had pastel chalks, for the kids to draw on the sidewalk. I of course captured some pictures! Our next stop the kids colored a picture, and they made it into a button. I thought, that was really cool. Then out of a coffee cover lid, they put beads on a plastic thread (for lack of better words) and made it into a necklace. Needless to say we had a ton of fun, and enjoyed our selves a lot. I hope you enjoy our pictures.

Making there card

The kids with their faces painted

The kids making their masterpiece!



The local artists chalk work