Christmas Tree

Growing up our house always seemed a little crazy with everything going on and so many people around, there wasn't that much order.  For those who know me...this is not really my personality (it has gotten worse with the years).  Christmas was my favorite, because that is when the house seemed to be in order and there was a spirit that came into our home with all of the decorations....there was order and I loved it.  This is something that I still love...the Christmas tree and what it does to invite the spirit of Christmas in a home.  It becomes the center of everything and you can't ignore that its there.

As always we decorate the Christmas tree right after thanks giving.  Savannah and Brittlynn had so much fun decorating.  They couldn't even wait for me to help them.  The inspected every ornament on before the put it on the tree and asked, "who's is this...is it mine...what is this for."  I loved watching them decorate and re-decorate the tree everyday until I took it down. It was a little frustrating when ornaments went missing...but they will be found and the girls loved it all.  Emily especially enjoys decorating the tree with us.  She was sad to know that the girls where almost done by the time she came around.

 Don't you love how they put the ornaments on the tree. 

After it was all done I decided to play with my camera and take a few pictures in front of the tree.  I had a lot of fun.  I think they turned out really well.

The finished product

Brittlynn wasn't up for sitting in front of the tree, but I was able to get Emily with angel and Savannah.  

 This was on Christmas Eve in their new pajamas.

It was an adventure trying to get them to stand in front...sit in front...stay still in front of the tree.  I finally managed to get a good one.  It thought this one was really cute.

Thanksgiving

I know I started off a little backwards...here is a picture of the dinner that I made.  We had a great Thanksgiving this year with a special visit from Eric's parents.  It was nice to have some extra people to eat all of the food, and for me to have a reason to make lots of food.  We actually did out dinner on Black Friday because the kids spent Thanksgiving day at their moms house.  This made my day extra long because I spent the evening shopping and didn't sleep very much...but I survived.  We borrowed a deep fryer to cook our turkey and I was sold.  It is the way to go.  The Turkey is so good and you inject flavor inside the turkey so you can taste the flavor in every bite.  The weekend was spent watching some Ohio state football and enjoy the extra company.

We played games together

We made cinnamon ornaments

Brittlynn helped make rolls

 Emily got a nap

After that crazy day we all went over to Nana & Papa's hotel to enjoy the pool.  Alex spent his time in the weight room.  We enjoyed the hot tub and swam a little.  We did have a near death experience with Brittlynn, she slipped into the pool while she was walking around the edge.  Alex was the closest to her and was quick to react and get her before anything bad happen.  She came out explaining how she went swimming all by her self.  She was so excited and proud about what she did.  I am worried about her lack of fear.  Savannah is so opposite of her.

 

Soccer

For any one who knows anything about our family is soccer takes up most of our life and time.  There was one year that Alex played soccer from fall to spring, without a break.  Alex loves playing and we enjoy watching him play as a family.  For now it would appear that soccer is over for our family.  Alex is graduating from High School and he is still unsure about the future he has in soccer if there is any.  So for now this is an end to what has consumed our Saturdays for a very long time.  

This year was a challenge for Alex, two weeks into the season he hurt his knee.  After a trip to the doctor, he  wasn't sure if he was going to be able to play.  It must be all the milk he drinks because he was cleared to play soccer with two weeks left in the season.  The weather was nice outside and it was great to watch him play again.  For the Senior students on the team the do a special night for them and their parents.  The players write a note to their parents and the announcer reads it for all to hear.  To our surprise these are the words that Alex had to say...

Thank you Dad and Polly for giving me the strength to achieve more than I could ever imagine. You guys have always been there for me, and always cheering me on. I more than appreciate Polly for taking care of me my junior year when my dad was deployed, And for going to every one of my games, even when I was being a difficult teenager. I would like to thank my Mom, Shannon for helping me build character, and to always treat people with respect. And for teaching me good moral and life lessons when I came to visit.

Dad you are without a doubt the most important person in my life, I cannot begin to describe how much you mean to me, you have always pushed me to reach my dreams and to never say never. You would tell me after every game, how well I played and to not get down on myself when I thought I played bad, because I can always improve. You are my hero and I will always love you.

Thank you all for supporting me in everything that I have done in my life, I could not have done it without you guys. You have shaped me to become the young man I am today, and for that, I am so grateful.

Love, Alex

 If any of you know Alex he isn't one to express how he feels, if you know Eric he isn't one to hide emotions.  This was a night that for a moment as a parent you think maybe its all worth it...they do recognize your sacrifice and your love for them.  We are still anxious about what the future holds for the Lescarbeau family and soccer.

Pumpkin Patch

 

This year Savannah's preschool class decided to take a trip to the pumpkin patch for one of their activities.  We were going to go as a family but decided one trip was good enough for us.  We did get to go with our friends which makes the world of a difference.  The girls had a lot of fun, except Savannah got to hot towards the end of the day. (Mom thought that is was going to be cold outside, and I told her she needed to dress warm.  

First stop was to pet the animals.  Its amazing how exciting farm animal are to girls who don't live on the farm.  Brittlynn wanted to look but didn't care to touch them.  

Next stop was a maze that ended with a slide.  I didn't realize how fast the slide was until little Brittlynn went flying off at the end.  She was safe, but a little scared.

What kind of pumpkin patch would be complete without a potato sack slide.  The girls didn't realized they need the sacks to slide down on, but you can tell from the expression on their face, they had the time of their life.

 Best of Sisters...

 Best of Friends...

Brittlynn is loving how big she is on top of the world

Climbing on top of a pile of hay is always an adventure, especially when it makes you feel like you are on top of the world.  The sun was just in the right spot to create some beautiful sun rays.  I was trying out different ways to get a silhouette shot. This is one that I got of Brittlynn.

Of course we had to try a little cattle roping.  Savannah loved it and quickly looked like a pro.  Brittlynn had a little bit harder time. (The rope was almost as big as her.)  She tried so hard (if you look close you can see she has her tongue sticking out)...then she walked up and put the rope over the horn of the bull.  With excitement and arms extended she shows of her hard work.  

We found a pile of corn to play in...they all had a blast I think they could have stayed forever.  We made them leave so we could go on a hay ride around the farm.  Who knew corn could be so much fun.

Finally we were able to pick out pumpkins.  Brittlynn had so much fun lining up each pumpkin.  She wanted to take them all home but she could only take one.  

It was a beautiful day and we had a lot of fun playing at the pumpkin patch with our friends.  I am so glad Brittlynn and Savannah can do so many things together.  They truly are best sisters and best friends.