bye bye christmas

This is what I'm up to this week...

Merry Christmas from the Sandersons

May your days be merry and bright.... And may all your Christmas's be white.

christmas beauty #2

Not to be left out, here's Sarah's photo shoot.

This Mom thinks she's simply beautiful.

Silly.

Sweet.

Ahhh... love.

christmas beauty #1

I was able to get some shots of my #1 today after church in front of the Christmas tree.

I love these pictures but finding it bittersweet at what I'm seeing.  She's growing up, too quickly.

Of course we needed one with her four legged BFF.



And one of the ever popular silly face.  Wouldn't be Grace without it.

Downtown

We went to downtown St. Charles this past weekend and stepped back in time.  The weather was great, the decorations were beautiful and going from Christmas character to character collecting their cards was so fun for the girls.  If you are local, give it a try.  You will enjoy.

This was Frontier Santa.

We saw the big guy.  The last time they sat on his lap Sarah was 2 and she just stared at him in fear. 

I loved the jingle bells on the cuffs of his pants.

Look at that concentration on Grace's face, making sure she got everything in :).

Sarah, not so afraid anymore.  She was shy but laid out her list.

Fun, relaxing day for spur of the moment.  Love days like this.

decked 2011

Tree is up.  Lights are on the house.  Christmas music is on.

All is bright. 

All is peaceful. 

thankfuls 2011

I started Thankfuls 2011 with the thought to share all I am thankful for this giving season.  I haven't posted them on time but I think I'm getting caught up.  I have enjoyed finding things each day to be blessed and thankful for, documenting this part of my life, November 2011.  I created a new page to keep them all in one place and add to easily. If you want to take a look, click on the Thankfuls {2011} in the upper left corner, under the banner.  Blessings to you on this cold November night.

happenings this week

Sarah's class led the chapel service at school last Wednesday.  The theme was Thankful and she was excited to recite her part "Thank you for the sky's rainbow."  Her teacher had created a video asking each child what they were thankful for and then each child was able to interview someone from another class in the school and some of the adult teachers.  It was very cute and done well.  I love her teacher, I know I say that alot but she is fantastic and all about the kids in the class.  It was a great way to start off my day :).

Friday was Grace's field trip to the Daniel Boone Homestead.  It was my first time here too and sad to say, we only live four miles from it. They watched a movie about Daniel Boone and walked through his home.  We also got to see the schoolhouse.  It took us back in time. The kids got to see what it was like to live back in the Pioneer days.  They even played some of their games.  It was informative and fun.

 

A scripture all the parents loved :).

 Grace was asked to be the example of the "bad child" and how they disciplined them by having them put their nose in a circle on the black board.  They did bring out the switch but no one had to have it be used on them :).

The board was cold! ;)

Group shot of the class and teacher.  I was blessed to be there.

sleeping pride

Today Grace made room on the shelf in her bedroom for her new trophy.  She was proud of its placement.  Art checked on her like he normally does when all is quiet.  This is what he found.  :)   Fast asleep and holding it.  I can't imagine turning over on this thing in the night but we will let it stay.  These are sweet memories and she's proud of it which means so much. 

awarded

Grace was surprisingly (at least to her) awarded her gymnastic schools September Student of the Month award tonight. I received a call asking when they could give her the award and I was asked to keep quiet about it. I didn't realize it was such a big deal. Out of 500 + gymnasts, she was chosen. It is given out for good sportsmanship, friendliness, encouraging others, listening, overall being a good citizen.  Wow!

This is my girls stunned look. :)  She was taken back by it all and a little embarrassed by all the attention.  I however made a spectacle of myself taking mucho pictures!

Congrats sweet girl!  Mom, Dad and sister are proud.

meow

The girls are cats this year for Halloween complete with cat tails and crimped hair! 
Grace is a black cat and Sarah a cheetah.

Meow indeed!

pumpkin patch

Sarah with her teacher and some of her class.

Sarah's class went on their 2nd field trip this past Friday.  The weather was chilly at first but by noon it was beautiful outside.  We had a great time.  It only took her 10 minutes to pick out the "perfect pumpkin." :)  So happy I have the opportunity to do these things with her.  Love my kindergartner. 

switch-a-roo!

For years now we have used this dinnerware set:

I've always loved the color and design.  Over the years we have broken a few pieces and with kids in the picture, we stopped using them because they are heavy for little hands to carry.  Two summers ago I bought some of those cute outdoor sets, the plastic ones that have all the matchy accessories.  They worked so well for the kids that they are all we've used since.  The problem with those is that they don't do well in the microwave so it was time for a change!

This week....

I went out and purchased a set of these:

These are light, chip resistant and durable.  How do I know this?  Because my parents have this same set they are still using and I grew up eating on them.  That's how long they last!

I bought a set of 16 pieces, basically for four.  So if we have company I'm in trouble :).  I do plan to add more, little by little and I wanted to see what my family thought.  Grace thinks they are cool.  Sarah thinks they are shiny and clean.  Art liked the new coffee mugs (go figure!).

So out with the old, in with the new!

Here's some more going out the door:

I never cared much for Dora, something about her voice drove me crazy.  I endured it because my daughter found her to be thrilling.  Well according to both girls, Dora isn't cool anymore and meant for babies - their words not mine.  So Dora is going with the old dinnerware to a local women's shelter.  I know there will be a little girl there that will adore her once again. 

And if you're wondering, yes that is dust on the old dinnerware set.  They've been sitting there awhile, waiting for me to clean out the rest of the house for their trip to the shelter.  Hopefully soon I will mark this big one off my to do list!

So far with the dinnerware, I'm up to seven trash bags of stuff going out. Going for more!

glimpses of the week

 {Enjoying Fall}

 {Finding Treasures}

 {December/January Edition}

 {New watch, no excuses}

 {Enjoying June B. with Grace}

 {Cookbook from friend, helpful}

{New music stand from the McDonald's}

junie b

{reading and enjoying, I love this}

pumpkin shortage

I heard from Art and the news that there is a pumpkin shortage this year due to weather and disease on the crops.  We saw an increase in price for the pumpkins we decorated with this year.  Just like everything else, they're going up!  I also read that if you see pumpkin puree, you should snatch it up.  So while in Wal-Mart yesterday I went searching.  Jonica helped me again (I told you she knew that store)!  I told her what I had learned and we both loaded up for the holidays.  Get 'em while they are hot and to be found!

I grabbed 6!  Two are for my sister who has a hard time finding them in her hometown.  So really I only bought 4 for myself.  Hopefully that will get me through the holidays.  I am going to make pumpkin muffins, a favorite of my family AND I'm going to attempt to make a pumpkin pie.  According to Jonica it is easy.  I've always hesitated to make one, worried mine wouldn't compare to my grandmothers or my mom's.  I didn't want to tarnish the family recipe by wrecking it!  Maybe further into Fall I will get the nerve, maybe Jonica will come over and help - be my cheerleader.  Until then, pumpkin muffins for everyone!

just a little

Art got up early this morning with the girls.  He let me sleep in :).  They hung out together and then eventually headed out to paint.

They left me this little surprise.

I would have much rather preferred breakfast in bed and someone to clean it up but they are serving together so I really can't complain.

Well, maybe just a little. :)