It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Last Saturday morning we woke up to find our first snow on the ground! It was rapidly melting, so we bundled up fast and took advantage of it while we could. After church on Sunday Paul put the lights on the house and we decorated our poor old (leaning) artificial tree (I'm hoping to get a fancy new VERTICAL artificial tree when they go 75% off after the holidays!). We're very much in the holiday spirit - we've done a little shopping, drank a little hot chocolate, played the Crooner's Christmas cd, smelled the pumpkin pie candle burning, and listened to Kellyn sing "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" about 800 times. Ah, the joys of the season!!

the kids enjoy the first snow of the season

Kellyn "reads" the instructions to Dad

Kellyn hangs ornaments -

notice she has changed clothes (again)

Mom helps Breckyn with a bulb

Dad helps Preston with the Star

the finished product!

Thanksgiving Evening!!

After we left Paul's parents house, we traveled to my Aunt and Uncle's house for another Thanksgiving celebration. We missed the dinner, but we did get in on the leftovers and the family card game! The kids had a blast playing with all my cousins' kids and we spent the night so Daddy could go hunting with all the guys the next morning. Between the half dozen guys, they managed to shoot one single bird, but they had a good time anyway. That evening we came home, followed by my cousin Misty and her husband Jeremie. We had a great dinner at Abuelo's, then the guys watched the kids while Misty and I shopped. Unfortunately, most of the good stuff was gone by then. Oh, well, we still had fun - it WAS shopping after all!

Breckyn lounging with her buddy Brock


the kids (minus a few who went coyote hunting
with Uncle Johnny) pose for a picture


Aunty Misty and Libby have some Girl Talk

Thanksgiving Day!!

Our Thanksgiving started Wednesday afternoon when we traveled to Hutchinson to Paul's parents' house. We had pizza and the kids played all evening, then we watched a movie before bed. The next morning we were up early looking at Black Friday ads and cooking (well, mostly we watched Nana do the cooking!). We ate at noon, then the kids took a walk with Papa, Daddy, and Uncle Bruce. Unfortunately, Paul's brother and his family weren't able to make it, but we still had a very nice day! We have so much to be thankful for this year, especially our family!!

Nana holds Macy while Great Grandma and
Aunt Rachel dissect the turkey


Breckyn, Lucy, and Kellyn practice for future
Black Fridays


Uncle Paul snuggles with Macy


Preston and Asher wait for dinner
by watching Donald Duck


the whole family gathered around the table


the kids took a walk after dinner

Kellyn's Thanksgiving Feast

Kellyn's preschool class has their Thanksgiving Feast last Monday. They put on a fantastic little performance of singing before the meal was served. Afterwards, we all went outside to the playground to enjoy the gorgeous 80 degree afternoon!

singing Thanksgiving songs (4th from left)

enjoying her pumpkin pie

the feast

Breckyn got to eat, too!

Haircut!

Breckyn's hair was looking a little "stringy" so we got the scissors out for a new pageboy-style haircut - we think it looks pretty cute!

before



after (but not curled yet):

Campus Visit

Today I took Shelly to Lawrence for a visit of KU. We got there in time to tour the dorms, a special thrill indeed. The traditional 2 person room is about the size of a shoe box (and I'm talking a size 6 pair of flip-flops, not a size 10 pair of knee-high boots). Next we had our video presentation at the visitors' center where we learned quite a bit about the schools 3 A's - Academics, Accolades and Atmosphere. After that it was on to our Student Ambassador-led walking tour. The campus is absolutely beautiful, and HUGE! The fall leaves were still in full color and it was gorgeous. We got our exercise in by walking all the hills of the campus. I now believe the people that have told me they actually LOST the Freshman Fifteen at KU! Our tour was very informative, and then it was on to Shelly's appointment with the pre-med advisor. He was pretty helpful and our 20 minute appointment went on for 45! Because of that, we just missed the last bus back to the visitor center, but flagged down another bus with a very kind driver that took pity on us and let us off as near to the center as she could. We then drove up Mass Street and checked out all the trendy little shops, had a very late lunch/early dinner, then headed back home. It was a good day and I hope it helps Shelly when making her final college decisions. Unfortunately, I only got 1 picture the whole day!

Aunt Shelly's Here!!!

Today my "baby" sister Shelly flew in from Alaska for a couple days. She's a senior in high school this year and I'll be taking her to Lawrence for a campus visit of KU tomorrow. We're hoping and praying she chooses to go to school there so we can see her more than once a year!Anyhow, we had a great time at Gram and Grandad's house today enjoying the nice weather, visiting, and eating a delicious Sunday dinner.

I'd like to wish a Happy Veteran's Day to Paul, Grandad, Grandpa Hamby, my father-in-law Brian, my brother-in-law Bruce and all the many brave men and women that have served or are serving our wonderful country. Thank you!!!

Here are some pics from today:

The 3 monkeys and Aunt Shelly


Shelly, Gram, me, and the kiddos


Grandad, Shelly, Gram, and the kiddos


Preston, Shelly, and me


The kids had fun climbing the tree (as usual!)

Me and my favorite Veteran!

Great Aunt Jan and Breckyn snuggle

Fall Leaves

The weather was too beautiful to sit inside today at Gram and Grandad's, so we spent most of the afternoon outside enjoying the mid-70's temps. I got my camera out and took a bunch of candids of the kids in the fall leaves that I thought turned out pretty good.

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween (a day late)!! The kids had a blast last night trick-or-treating. Three of the kids' cousins came to town to go with us since they live in the country. Our friends Maddie and Jack also came along. Fortunately, the winds had died down some by the time we got going, but it was still pretty chilly. But, at least no rain!

Have to share a random funny with you: Yesterday the girls and I took Paul to lunch. Kellyn sat across from him in the booth and was looking at him intently, when they had this little exchange:

Kellyn: Daddy, you have a corn maze.
Daddy: I do? Where?
Kellyn: On your forehead!

Hmm, I guess it's about time for Botox! ;)

Maddie and Kellyn, the Vampire Princesses


Darth Vader, Snow White, and a Fairy Princess



Daddy stayed home to pass out candy


The neighborhood kids, all decked out

Preston's Halloween Parade and Party

Yesterday were Preston's Halloween activities at school. The festivities started with a costume parade with all the classes parading around the gym. After that, we went back to the classroom for a little party. I had a great time in my first experience as a room mother, and the girls even got to come with me. Here are a few pics from the event:

Preston as Darth Vader


Parading around the gym


The girls watch the parade intently

Eating cookies at the party

Mrs. Camacho's 1st grade class