FIRST SNOW!

This morning we were shocked to see a light dusting of snow (yes, the word I hate more than anything!) especially since it was raining when we went to bed last night. The kids were very excited however, and Adam could hardly wait to get outside. They tried throwing snowballs, but they pretty much fell apart. Oh well...we KNOW we'll be getting more very soon!

THANKSGIVING AT HOME

This year we stayed home for Thanksgiving, which was really nice. Grandma spent the whole day with us. Rob cooked the turkey (which we all decided might have been the best turkey we'd ever had) and Grandma and I made everything else!

Ready to eat!

Grandma shows the kids how to pull the wishbone.Rob made turkey soup...which I'm sure will take us weeks to eat it all! I think we'll freeze some for those cold Sunday afternoons watching the Bears games!
Mom and me
Rob set up the ping pong table in the garage, so we played several games of that.
Since Grandma and Jane were leaving for Florida the next day, we got to open our Christmas presents. Emily got a new winter coat, boots and lots of other fun stuff.Adam got a nice set of binoculars, clothes, a new DVD and a grown-up watch, which he loved!
Bye Grandma & Jane...it's a loooong time til March...we're going to miss you like crazy!

PHOTO SHOOT

In an effort to capture a nice picture for our Christmas card this year, I dragged the kids to Washington Park yesterday afternoon. The sun was shining and it wasn't too chilly, so it was a perfect day for a photo shoot. They were pretty good sports, although at one point Adam said "Mom, your not a professional photographer!" Even so, I think I got quite a few good shots, although I'm not posting the ones I'm using for the card...you'll have to wait til yours comes in the mail to see those!!

I asked them to put their noses together and pretend to like each other for this one...

but all I got was a case of the giggles!
At least they were having fun laughing together!

DAISY SCOUTS TRIP

Yesterday Emily's Daisy Girls Scouts Troop went to the Children's Museum in Bloomington. Several girls didn't show up, so we only had 9 kids to keep track of...which was plenty believe me! We had never been there before, so it was fun to check out some new things. Plus they got to earn their first petal "Respect Yourself and Others". Now I just need to figure out to put in on her tunic!

First stop...the water table, which is always lots of fun!

Painting on the glass windows was the biggest crowd pleaser! The girls loved squirting the bottles of water on the glass and then using the squee-gee to wipe off the paint.

Learning about trash, composting and recycling!
Emily, Kylie and Lillian

Emily doing what she loves best...coloring!

Mom and her Daisy Girl!

Maddie, Brooke, Anna, Melanie, Kylie, Lillian and Emily. Another Daisy, Zoe, and her mom met us there and left before we could round up the girls for the group picture. It was a long day (and even longer drive home!) but we had a great time with our girls.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA EDWARDS!

Hope you had a great birthday yesterday! We love you!

20 years!

Rob and I met at The Regulator Bar (aka "the Reg") in Macomb 20 years ago tonight! Who would have thought after a few games of pool (and quite a few beers) we'd have such a wonderful family 20 years later? Happy anniversary to my super hubby!

HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY ADAM ROBERT POWERS!!

10 years old! Wow...where did the time go? Seems like it was just yesterday we were on our way to the hospital (at 10:30 p.m.!) to have our first baby. Now he is just six short years away from driving and eight years away from college. I have a feeling these next few years are going to go by even faster! Makes you stop and think how precious this time is and how we need to enjoy every second (even when they are driving us crazy!) We love you Adam!

Happy birthday buddy!
First picture this morning of the birthday boy!

Adam chose Ryan's Steakhouse for his birthday dinner. We were happy that Papa, Grandma and Aunt Jane were able to join us.

Papa, Adam and Grandma Anxiously waiting to rip into his presents!
A birthday hug from Emily
Magic kit from Papa
Adam got a very special gift from Grandma...a pocket knife that he has been wanting since he was 3 years old. She told him he had to be as tall as her thermostadt before he could have it, but decided he was responsible enough now at age 10 that she trusted him enough with it. He was very surprised...and I think he will always treasure this gift.
As usual, I was so busy taking pictures I forgot to get a picture of Rob and I with the birthday boy. Maybe I'll take one tomorrow and say it was today!!!