Candy Cane Workshop 2015

 Each year we attend a charity event for the Dream Factory where the kids make their own homemade candy Cane.  I love this tradition.  The kids got to visit Santa too on the way out, B asked for a Christmas pillow and L wants a lego robot set.  Enjoy the pics!

Our Thanksgiving, the Story......

 WE started out the morning writing down on our poster (created in 2010) what we were Thankful for.  I love pulling this out every year and looking at years past.  Their little handwriting, the sometimes silly little things they loved (thomas the train for one).  Usually, they were always Thankful for Mom and Dad, family, snow and the season. 

 WE made the 2 hour ride down to the P5's house.  SO thankful they decided to host all of us (really the best location for everyone to come). 

 HOw many guys does it take to peel potatoes.  Who knew they could be cooked in a crock pot!

 It was a beautiful day in the 60's...meaning kids could be outside MOST of the day.  They took full advantage. 

 I LOVE this.

 and This....smiles :)

 Kids watching xmas movies (elf for starters)

 The app spread!

 Siblings.....what a great day to all together.

Mom and kids.....

 BOys will be boys.....They will always remember fun times with their cousins.

 Two turkeys...one baked, one fried. 

 She loves her great grandma.....

 gathering.

 ALl of her 12 (and 13th on the way!) great grandchildren were there.  What an amazing blessing.

 Kudos to our hostess!

 I love these people.

 last one at the "kids table"

 an amazing peanut butter cake.

 Whole families together rocks.

 9 grandkids.

 The highlight of the day for me was when we paused to all say what we were thankful for.  S o much this year.

 Amazing Day, Amazing hostess, Amazing life. 

 Love this family.

a new Room for B

 More on the new room.......First, we ripped out the old nasty 10 year old carpet. 

 then painted.....she choose "sassy Purple" as one of the colors.  I think it suits her.   We painted a light shade then added a wall stencil with the two darker shades and white. 

 The kids were in and out "helping" at different points.  The sawdust in here got to be a bit much at times.

 We picked out every board.  Dad's nailer was a godsend.

 It's awesome to know that she had a hand in the building.  It just makes it that much more special. 

 We picked up that cute little white rolltop desk (left) for 80 bucks on Craigslist.  (LOVE craigslist!)....the bunks were from a work friend whose boys had left home for college.  We kept the gray shag rug (Target) undersized as to show off the floor. 

 The little Girl picture in the corner was hanging on my wall when I was a little girl,  and the Lilac painting is by Grandma :)  The dresser and armoire were handmade by family (J made the dresser and Dad the Armoire) before the kids were born, these are lifetime pieces.  The painting above the Bed is by B herself, it's called "sunny and happy"