Decorating and Turkey Dinner #2

We have started a lovely tradition for the Smoldon household.  The day after Thanksgiving we decorate our house for Christmas, watch the Apple Cup and make our own Thanksgiving dinner so we can enjoy copious amounts of leftovers.  It is an extremely busy but exciting day.

Mr. Snowman came out and actually had a chair to sit on this year - Higgins is thrilled!

Lucy put the star on upstairs (Jaydon did the downstairs spire but we didn't get a picture)

Higgins loves Mr. Snowman!  During much of the holiday season he will sleep on the snowman and Lily will sleep under the tree.

Our meal

Grandma and Gram came over this year to watch the Apple Cup and enjoy the meal.

The girls helped me decorate the tree.

Lily found her spot under the tree!

Thanksgiving at the LaMarche's

We spent a lovely Thanksgiving with the LaMarche family (Jeremy's sister's family).  Good food, good company and fun games made for a great afternoon/evening. 

Emma and Kate (Kate had just woken up from a nap when we arrived).

Dessert time!

Aunt Lisa handing out dessert and whip cream

Kate is definitely ready for her pumpkin pie - she walks around the house saying pumpkin pie at all different times.

Noah enjoyed the whip cream

Uncle David had kitchen duty

Puzzle time

Micah was the winner (he wins many games, sort of like Jeremy)!

Rachel and Lucy - teamwork!

Noah showing his frustrated face.

Thanksgiving Visit with CJ and Judy

We lost an amazing woman the Sunday before Thanksgiving, Great Grandma Jimmie went peacefully at her home with her husband of 65 years nearby.  She was such a lovely woman who cared so much for those around her. She was generous, warm and funny.  I can remember many holidays enjoying wonderful food she prepared being surrounded by the love of family in her home.  While it is always hard to lose a loved one it was time for Jimmie to go home, she lived an amazing life and was loved by so many.  Thank you Grandma Jimmie for being a positive role model in my life and the lives of my children.

Grandpa CJ and Grandma Jimmie at Thanksgiving in 2014.

We got to head down to visit Great-Grandpa CJ and Aunt Judy on Thanksgiving morning.

Aunt Judy spoiled the kids with snowman pops, juice and cookies!

A great picture of Grandpa and me.

All of us doing the self timer picture (even Buffy was looking at the camera).
It was great to see CJ and Judy and we are thankful we were able to spend some of our holiday sharing and remembering the love of a great woman.

Lucy's School Thanksgiving

Poor Lucy!  She spent the night before her big Thanksgiving Feast throwing up and feeling miserable so she had to stay home.  I ran the food she was supposed to bring to her class and her teacher sent home her costume and place-mat.  At least she has gotten to enjoy her 2 sided place-mat at home but it sure was a bummer she had to miss her party.

Lucy and Kate's dedication

 We finally got our youngest two dedicated at church. It was a fun morning (and crazy since I am working at the church and had to make sure my classrooms were all set and running and then rush down to make it for the dedication) and we are thankful to have found a good church to be part of.  I think the church is going to give us a video clip and possibly a picture of us up on stage so if that comes through I will update this page.

Rainbow Thanksgiving

We headed to Grandma and Gram's house for their Rainbow Riders Thanksgiving event. We hiked in the morning and then I took Kate home for a nap (she had been sick the day before) and the older two stayed with the Rainbows and hung out eating, wii bowling and watching football.

Pics from Grandma

Grandma emailed me a bunch of pics she has taken the past few months and so I decided to plunk them all in one big post!

Grandma took the kids on a mountain bike adventure - they were recovering from illnesses so it wasn't the biggest hit but they still had moments of fun.

Camping - they took 2 camping trips with Grandma and Gram this summer. They had a fabulous time!

Lots of reading time (the kids were super into the A-Z mysteries)

Kate and E both fell asleep in the chariot.

Auntie Jenny, E, Kate and Me taking a canoe ride.

Rock climbing

E's Halloween costume

Ice cream stop on a bike ride.

Lucy backpacking.