We have a snowman cookie jar that has M&M's in it. Audrey came to me last night and asked me for some minimims. I thought it was the cutest thing! Pass the Minimims!

Today was one of those perfect days! A cold front came in a couple of days ago making the temperature around 55 degrees! It was so fun to be able to wear our sweaters and drink hot chocolate instead of wearing shorts and flip flops to pick out our tree. We slept in this morning and layed around in bed and watched TV - the kids actually let us!!! It was so nice! We finally got around to leaving the house and headed to our favorite place - Magnolia. We went to the "Red Caboos Christmas Tree farm." We had a blast riding the hay ride and picking out our tree! This picture was taken at "Santa's Workshop" at the farm! The kids were in good moods and a good time was had by all! More pictures to come!

It's quiet, all of the kids are in bed, James is occupied by his computer, and I have just settled down to get lost in my book, "Twilight." I just finished baking a Pumkin Pie. Sometimes I wonder how much of my reason for baking homemade goodies is for the smell! We are all alone this Thanksgiving but somehow I feel very comfortable with just our little family. My girls helped me make a "holiday breakfast" this morning with fresh squeezed orange juice, cranberry orange muffins, and scrambled eggs. We set the table and made an invitation for Daddy (a creative way to get him out of bed for the occation). They have been excited about the "feast" tomorrow as they are calling it. They have such enthusiasm for life, just one of the many things that I am grateful for tonight. There has been a lot of change in my life in the last few months and at present, I am grateful for the feeling of peace that I have and the great comfort of a loving family. My thoughts are with all of you, my good friends and family. I truly do celebrate your accomplishments and joys and mourn with you when life gives out one of its many trials. I am lucky. Lucky to have an abundance of relationships and connections that have shaped me into the person that I am today. What a blessing it is to have such a network of support. There are the obvious things in life that I am grateful for, family, friends, the gospel, living in a place where I can create my own future and practice my faith as I may. However, tonight, I am grateful just to be sitting here in my home, filled with love for my husband and my kids, smelling pumpkin pie, and excited to read my book! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day! Nicole

We tried to celebrate Adam's big day on the day of his birthday. Turns out it is a little hard doing Birthday and Trick or treating on the same night! LeeAnna, being the great friend that she is, let us crash her little boys first Birthday party a couple of days later. We sang to Adam and let him open up his presents there since he was unable to open them on his Birthday. Luckily, he is too little to care. Thank goodness for second chances and good friends! I feel bad for the third kid! You know this would have never happened to a first born!

Only two beautiful ladies responsible for all these kids!

We had the best time trick or treating! We went to High Meadow Ranch for the BBQ and then went trick or treating. We put all of the kids in the back of the van and drove around the neighborhood. The community in High Meadow is so great! They gave out a map that gave out all of the addresses of the people who were participating. Each house was so cute. They all came to the end of their driveways and had full costumes on, fun lighting, and yummy treats! (The homes are all 1-5 acres apart so that is why they were at the bottom of the driveway.) The night was so perfet, amazing weather, starry sky, country air! The atmosphere was great! A lot of the people in the neighborhood did hay rides around the neighborhood. It was great fun!

Rachel had a Halloween parade and I couldn't believe how perfect her costume went with her little friend John. Apparently, they hold hands and Kiss!
Nice pick Rach! He's a cutie!

MMMMMMMM . . . frosting!

Momma's Boy!

Our Birthday Boy!

My Good Friend LeeAnna and our two boys! They were born one day apart! The pigtails were for Halloween. Anyone recognize the Bruins Cheer shirt? I was trying to be a cheerleader but I didn't want to go for the skirt! My girls liked my pigtails and freckles so that is all that matters!

My Hubby