Thanksgiving 2017

This year I was especially thankful for have all SIX of my babies under one roof, all day, everyday for one whole week!  It has been a transition for all of us....school for everyone means less time together as a family SO the times that we are together are extra special.  Thanksgiving week was one of those times and I was in my element!

 We began our week with breakfast at our favorite breakfast restaurant, Sunrise Grille.  Then we were off to deliver goodies to a few of our favorites just to show our thanks to them!

 Next up was a Target trip....it is a rare event to have all six in the red store at one time....

 each day we watched a movie together snuggled on the couch....

 we slept late, we cooked our favorite foods, we stayed up a bit late....

 the big girls and I held a Matilda Jane Cookie Decorating event on Tuesday....it was great fun watching my girls serve others and also enjoy a little decorating themselves.  

 The boys took every moment of rest and relaxation to heart....they were beyond excited to sleep in, throw the football together, play the XBox and just hang out....

 One of my goals for the week was to get a picture of the children for Christmas cards...

 after finally deciding what they would wear, we had a date one afternoon to snap a few shots....

 the outtakes always seem to be my favorites because they show more of what our life is really like....

we have two level-headed teenage boys, two level-headed middle girls, and two "we are not sure what will occur next with these two" little girls.... they are the life of our party and the pics tell it all.

 My fabulous six.

 there are days when I feel very overwhelmed and inadequate to be the best mom to each of them....

 and then there are the days that I can't get enough and wish for time to stand still.  

 Our Thanksgiving this year did not look like previous years.  We had plans to be with family on the farm and then more family time in SC.  

 Not even 30 minutes after these sweet photos were taken, my little Maddox Ren came running in, tears streaming down her face and claiming she was going to be sick.  It came on so fast.  She was literally fine one moment and horribly ill the next.  

 We doctored her and nursed her through Thanksgiving Day and by Friday she was feeling a bit more like herself.  Thankfully, Ryan and the rest of the children were able to spend a few hours with his family while Maddox and I stayed behind and enjoyed some good quiet snuggle time on the couch.  

 The boys called as they were making their way back home....they were wanting to make a trip to Target Thanksgiving evening.  Though I wasn't 100% sure it was the best idea, I said yes.  We had such a great night, just the three of us, shopping and buying....and trying on things that we would never buy but were fun all the same.  

God reminded me this Thanksgiving to be thankful in all circumstances.  

Sunny Day Farms

This Fall, we went on an adventure to a farm not too far from our home.  They advertised pig races, duck races, hayrides, and a pick your own pumpkin from the patch.  I was intrigued and thought it would be so fun to actually pick a pumpkin from the patch.

 We drove the most beautiful 45 minute drive, open cotton fields and such and along the side of the highway was the farm....

 We thought twice about actually going in....it was in the middle of nowhere and not a soul was there. It was a beautiful day so we decided to give it a try....we searched for the duck races first....and, there they were, little rubber duckies to be fueled by a water pump and race their hearts out!  Well, not what we had in mind but so fun!

 They had the usual tube swings, slides, corn play area....

 and they had little farm animals that our littlest miss was fond of....

 and the zipline was a huge hit for all!

 This little was a bit sad as she watched her siblings climb the zipline stairs....she wanted a turn too!

 Some chose to do tricks....

 while others took some time to genuinely smile while going down....

 and she finally got her turn!  The smile says it all....she was thrilled!

 Sometimes our little Maddox sits back and takes it all in....

 There was a cow train....

 and there was absolutely no hesitation from any of the girls to jump on for the ride....

 they all returned waving and smiling and our littlest did well and did not stand up!  Cow ride for the win!

 The boys found much to do as well....they played football, went pumpkin bowling, had a trip through the corn maze.....

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 After a little snack, the girls played Checkers with miniature pumpkins....

 and Chapman found her little furry friends once again....

 she thought they were the best!

 The girls then found a mountain of hay bales to climb....

 and the littlest wasn't about to be told she couldn't climb to the top...what they can do, she can do too!

 And they all shouted hooray for their efforts!  These girls are the best of sisters!

 And, finally, the long awaited pig racing began.  There was the green pig, the red pig and the yellow pig....pretty sure the crowd was more into their racing than they were....the best part of the race is when the pigs got loose and ran around the farm....the workers were quite unimpressed by their antics as they tried to capture them and get them into their rightful pen.

Our day at Sunny Day Farms was not exactly what we had envisioned BUT it was the fun we all needed.  We loved that we were one of very few people visiting, it felt as though we had the farm to ourselves....the ducks were fun, the pigs were fun, and the pick your own pumpkins, well, they didn't exist but that was ok!  We didn't really go for the pumpkins, we went for the family time together.  One of our challenges that we have lived up to this year is spending quality time together.  With everyone in school, the time that we once had as a family is now a bit different and we have to be very intentional about making sure we don't lose sight of the importance of family time.

Chapman had a urology appointment - all is so good!!!  She is 100% and we are so thankful!  She loved playing with the curtain as we waited in the room....

 It's time to get ready for TURKEY Day!  

 Maryn is in PreK 4 this year and her class had a special little Thanksgiving Feast

 It was a special treat to have Ryan's parents attend

 Little Chapman had her day on stage too!  

 I am so thankful for my little turkeys....

 I am also thankful that my sister, niece and my mom love to attend broadway shows with us!  Girls days are really best spent with family!

 Unfortunately, two of our girls keep passing strep throat back and forth....this time Maddox was the victim....though I hate that she was sick, I did enjoy my one on one time with her for three days!

 She's just too cute not to share....

 she loves these ears and can be found wearing them most everyday at one point or another....

 her first ponytail!  She was so excited and I thought she looked super cute too!

 Our little Noah was baptized!  

 Our family is so thankful for this little guy and his family!  

 He is thriving and to see him loved and giving love to others is amazing!  He's a cutie for sure!

 Oh sweet Maryn....she was all smiles coming into the fellowship hall to sing.....

 and then the shock of all of those people watching her set in....bless, she never has enjoyed being in front of a crowd!

 This one, on the other hand, is like the more the merrier....she is everything extrovert....

 her sweet little friend, AM, couldn't figure her out!

 she is usually all smiles and 90 miles a minute!

 her performance was fabulous and included her own choreographing....the video is hilarious....

 and then there are these two cuties!  Maddox Ren and her best friend, Brooklyn.  They are seen as a pair, everyone knows them and loves them, they are always smiling and coming up with ways to bless people around them....this year has been so good for both of them at school, a dynamic duo for sure!

This week kicks off Thanksgiving holidays!  Our family is beyond excited for a much needed break!  Maddox and the boys said they cannot wait to sleep in every.single.day!  I cannot wait to just be....this year has been an adjustment for each of us.  We have all done great but could use some family time just catching up and hanging out as our team.  Homeschooling provided the opportunity for my children to bond so close together because they were together every single minute of every day.  Being in schools this year means less time at home with those we love. So, holidays will be that much more special as we come together and embrace the time we do have together!  So thankful for my little tribe!  They are all my dream come true.