Putting up the Tree

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves.  I couldn't decide which ones I like best, so you get them all (well most).

 A real smile from Katie!

 Don't know why this didn't rotate.  Michael is always in charge of helping everyone get the branches in the right place.  I love that he loves to be involved.

 Hanging ornaments:

 The kids always play with our collection of sheep after the tree is up.  It's a tradition to play with the sheep.  We have many family jokes about Handel's "Oh we, like sheep..."  

 Dad always hangs the star.  This is the star we've had since we were poor, starving students.  It has come to be a sign of our humble beginnings and we love this star.  We'll never, ever get another one!  (Darn pictures, why don't you turn?!)

We always have egg nog after the tree is done.  

 The kids play with our collection of Nutcrackers.  Most of them are Anna's.

 We've had this penguin since Nathan was a baby.  My mom made it for me.  He used to love to play with the penguin and the rest of the kids loved him too.  Now it's Caleb's turn to love the penguin.

Thanksgiving

We had a very nice, very relaxing Thanksgiving.  We had our traditional Thanksgiving Salmon, as well as ham, scalloped potatoes, cranberry apple rice, green beans, rolls with raspberry jam (another tradition), sparkling cider and of course banana cream pie, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie.  It was delicious... especially the pies!  I could just have pie for Thanksgiving dinner and be happy.

We usually go to a movie on Thanksgiving morning.  But there were no movies out that we wanted to see.  So Blake brought home the projector from work and we borrowed a movie from some friends.  We watched The Avengers on the living room wall.  It was really fun and the kids LOVED the movie.  It was nice that we didn't have to load them all up in the car and it was a whole lot cheaper.  (It's super expensive to take 9 people to the movies.)  I think we might make this our new tradition.  

Caleb Funnies

Two Caleb funnies: While we were at the post office, Caleb started talking to everyone in line. He's so friendly and will talk to anyone who will listen (and then he won't stop talking!). He told one lady, "Did you know that my mom AND my dad both have a mom and BOTH of their names are GRANDMA?!!" Then he added, "Actually, I have THREE Grandmas, but one is really, really old." (Sorry Grandma Morton. ;)) Everyone in line was very entertained! 

I don't think his mind ever stops.  Later that day, while in line at the grocery store and out of the clear blue he put his face right up to mine and asked me, "Why don't people like ducks? Ducks are really nice. People should like ducks!" He cracks me up!!

Turning Old

I turned the big 4-0.  It's strange to think that I used to view 40 as really old.  Now that I'm here, I see it's not really that bad.  

Blake took me to dinner at my favorite restaurant and then totally surprised me and bought me an iPad mini. I love my iPad!!! My kids spoiled me with lots of attention and really sweet notes and even did the dishes for me all day.  The next night, I was surprised again.  My mom sent black decorations and had the kids  and Blake decorate the house.  They all sent me out to buy pizza and while I was gone, they decorated the house.  It's a good thing the pizza took long.  We had pizza and a movie to celebrate with the family since we didn't take the kids to dinner with us the night before.  I was so surprised.  Thanks mom!  I really enjoyed the surprise.  And thanks Blake and kids.  I had a really awesome 40th birthday and feel so loved!

 2nd try since Michael had his grumpy facing on.