CollyD

with beautiful sunsets

dancing at the bus stop

surprises from afar that make us smile when the sunshinesclown glasses, noses and shoes from circus night

and breakfast dates

The neat thing about having Grandma Panko here was she got to help us decorate our tree.

Yes, it’s true, we are one of those families.  The tree goes up Thanksgiving weekend. And I say heck why not?  I am allgeric to real Christmas trees -my eyes swell shut and I can’t breathe, I know TMI but there it is- so we have a really beautiful real looking fake tree.  Everything but the lovely pine smell that makes me go crazy. So why not put it up early so we can enjoy it for longer.

Love the peacefulness of a decorated tree and love the memories that each ornament brings as it is placed on the tree.

I love that Thanksgiving comes every year.  It’s a time to take stock and really think about all the blessings we all have.  The one day we spend being thankful for what we have instead of worrying about what we don’t.

This year was spent with Ken, the girls and Ken’s Mom.  She came up to visit for the holiday and got to celebrate with us.

The morning was spent cooking and watching the parade and the afternoon indulging in the feast.

The evening, well that was for shopping.  The girls went to bed and Ken and I snuck out to be apart of the madness.  The crazies were out in full force and I have to admit we were right there with them. ( Boy was I glad to have Ken with me.  No one messes with you when you are with a guy who is 6’3′ !) You really do get caught up in it.  All of a sudden you are buying things you aren’t sure you even need just because everyone else is and you can get it for a “great price”.  It was exciting and fun and we did score a few bargins and I have to admit a few returns as well.

What a great way to spend the day of thanks.

Now to work on having Thanks Giving everyday instead of just once a year.

All you need to do to get a 6 year old, a 5 year old, and a 2 1/2 year old to help you rake leaves is a bribe of a little fun before bagging.

I had to throw this amazing sunrise in as well.  It was beautiful.

Halloween started in the dark and cold around my house.  Ellie had the day off because of the amount of people without electric and the number of trees blocking the roads.  We were one of those house without electric.

Ken went to work, Sadie to school and Ellie and I found things to keep us busy and away from home where the inside temp was 55 only a few degrees warmer than it was outside.

Finally the time came to get our gear on and head out trick or treating.

Sadie was in her glory. It was the first year she got the whole trick or treat and they give you candy thing.  She was amazed at the first house.   They actually gave her candy but by the third or fourth house she had found her groove.  Declaring that she was a dragon, had wings and could fly but not quite getting out the trick or treat.

Ellie was the seasoned pro.  Showing Sadie the ropes and collecting her candy with a smile and a thank you.  We had to venture away from our street in search for one with power.  The strangest thing having the kids trick or treat in the snow.

The best part of the evening was returning home to electricity.  It was wonderful.  We did a happy dance and hit the houses right around ours.  Saw some neighbors and Sadie and one of the little girls from around the corner dumped their bags and began a candy swap on the corner.  Yup we have that kid that swaps candy on the corner.  Ellie was too busy running to all the houses to be worried about what she had already gotten.

All in all a really fun night that ended on a warm note.  I hope all of your Halloweens were as successful.