fall holidays

As has become the norm, I haven't blogged in a while.  So I'm gonna just cover all the fall holidays right quick like.  

My kids dress up on a daily basis, so you would think Halloween might not be that exciting, but somehow they are still overjoyed to have a day set aside for wearing costumes.  I'm sure it has something to do with being rewarded for their drama with candy. Gracie's costume was a big hit, naturally.  And we surprisingly only saw a few other spidey's.    

On Veteran's day Levi's school had an assembly.  They were encouraged to dress "patriotically" so Levi wore his papa's medals and uniform hat all day. Pretty stinkin' special.   Gracie also dressed up in a sailor shirt and another of papa's uniform hats.  

This is just an awesome flower out of a random bouquet Nathan brought home one day.  It was sturdy, lasted a long time, and I couldn't stop looking at it.  One day it had, what I call, a "beauty and the beast" moment so I grabbed my camera.  

Ah, Thanksgiving.  The holiday that seems to be more low key each year.  The most fun thing we did for it was the Thankful Tree.  At the beginning of November we made this tree and started putting a "thankful leaf" on a branch each day.  It was a great idea find on Pinterest and I'm sure we'll keep it up each year for some time.

They came up with some interesting things.  I've kept all the leaves and intend to write out everything they said.  On these leaves Levi says he's thankful for, "My baby pictures & God makes me have good dreams and not bad."  And Gracie is thankful for, "balloons, flowers and Jesus."

Levi: "Friends, my Rocket Ship, The way flowers smell & Charlie licks my foot."  Gracie: "Scissors, Papa, my tummy, cereal & crayons."  On several of these Gracie also drew a picture of the object.  

Levi made this letter at school in time for Thanksgiving.  It says, "Dear mom and dad, I am thankful I hav (*have) parits (*parents) like you.  I you.  Happy Thanksgiving Day.  From, Levi."  And then, of course, he drew a portrait of our family, including Charlie and...a turkey.  

A couple weeks before Christmas Gracie and I hosted a cookie decorating day with our new friends.  We had three mamas and their respective 6 children over.  Gracie was very into the rolling pin.  She super loves to help out in the kitchen.  With every single job.

You would think that 4 toddlers at a table with runny icing would be a crazy chaotic time.  But it was actually quite smooth and drama free.  They were cute, and wanted to eat the icing, naturally.  

I like having the little floating baby head in this one.  

There MAY have been a few wardrobe changes because of spills.....

Gracie and I have made some good friends real quick here in Germany.  I believe we met all three of these families within a week of moving here and we've been seeing them on a weekly basis since.  God does prepare the way. 

 And of course, Levi may be left out of our daily happenings now, but don't worry.  He has also made plenty of friends at school.  He's good.  And we saved him a few cookies to decorate once he got home that day.  

And Christmas morning....go!  I didn't take tons of pictures this Christmas.  It's the usual; wrapping paper flying everywhere, excited children squealing in delight. Pink power ranger opening her present.  ya know... 

Opening their Castle from Grammy and Pop.  It was a big hit, for sure.  

Levi with one of his favorites of the day: a super 5 in 1 Spiderman vehicle.  I'm not sure what all that means.  You'd have to ask him.  

After all the present opening was done they decided to have a spiderman party.  Keep in mind, only the one thing Levi has was new that day.  He just already had all those other spiderman figures. He's a little obsessed...maybe.  But it makes for good theme playing.

And that has been our fall full of holidays.  Stay tuned for Gracie's birthday post.