My first real tree...

Where to begin? It took us three places, 2 days, and borrowing someone's truck to get my first real 9 foot Frazier Fur Christmas Tree. When I started putting lights on my first real tree we had several strands that were out so I ran to the Homestead Walmart at 8:30 PM (fun, fun) to get more lights. I got home, decorated my first real tree, and stood back to admire her beauty. She was purty. So at 10:30 PM I went to the family room, kicked up my feet, and started to unwind. Then I hear, crrrk... CRASH! My first real tree fell over. Bulbs broke, ornaments came off, lights were strewn everywhere. I cried, Travis consoled.

The next day I went and got a more sturdy stand (even though my broken stand boasted that it held a 9-ft tree). My wonderful friend Tammy came over and we decided that we didn't need a man, we could switch the tree stands on our own. We did and Travis only had to help us center it when he got home.

Once it was centered I took off all the lights and decorations and once again began decorating my real first tree. Things were going well as we put the last strand of lights on... then they all went out. Tammy and I plugged and unplugged, moved strands, changed outlets, carefully knit extension cords through the tree in an effort to not strand lights for a 3rd time. We did it. Decorations next, then ribbons. These pictures cannot capture the beauty of my first real tree, but she sure is pretty - she better be!

The girls' tree in the family room...

My old pal Dawn

Dawn and I met when we were in grade school and have kept in touch throughout the years. Now we both have husbands and kids. They were down for a cruise and we got together for Cici's pizza. It was nice catching up! We are both from Toledo and Dawn went to Notre Dame, the same school as Katie Holmes, so we of course had to talk about Tom and Katie's wedding. Yes, I am a celebrity gossip freak.

Jamie, Dawn, Christopher, Travis, Kourtney, Kelly, and McKenna

Christopher, McKenna, and Kourtney

There was really no reason to buy a turkey...

Kourtney has learned how to cross her eyes. The funniest part is that she takes stools into the bathroom to try to see what she looks like but never can!

McKenna's got jokes

What kind of music did the Pilgrims like?
Plymouth Rock

Why does a Pilgrim's pants always fall down?
Because he wears his belt on his head.

What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?
He had an arrow escape

Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving. I am so thankful for my family. The Johnsons who live here - Anne, JT, Phil, and Marcela... and Webbs who travel here every Thanksgiving - Mom, Dad, and now my Grandpa Hall. We missed Kevin and Brittany - hope you guys had a good Thanksgiving. JT had to work so he only got to eat left overs!

Our day started off with the parade on tv which the girls really enjoyed this year, followed by a huge lunch, a game of Apples to Apples, a long walk on the golf course behind our house at dusk (with green glow sticks), and finally... another fire. What a perfect Thanksgiving! Here are some of the pictures...

Kumbaya

The nights were so nice and cool we had a fire every night this week. We roasted marshmallows and hot-dogs and just had a real good redneck time. I cannot tell you how thankful I was for the cold.

Robert is Here

The first time I ever came to Homestead was before Travis and I were married. Travis drove the whole way and I slept for a good part of the drive. By the time we got to his parent's house he was ready to crash and I was wide awake. So my soon-to-be father-in-law asked if I wanted to go to Robert is Here. I said yes and that is the first place I ever to went in Homestead . I have been hooked ever since. Whenever we have company we always suggest a trip there.

They have the best fresh fruit milkshakes I have ever had. Out back there are donkeys, ducks, goats, turtles, dogs, birds, roosters, and an emu - the girls all thoroughly enjoy that part. "Robert" has a very cool story and has been featured on NBC's The Today show and World News Tonight. At age 6, his father sat him on a corner and told him to sell cucumbers. No one stopped that day to buy any. So the next day his father put him out again with a sign that says "Robert is Here." The next day he sold out of cucumbers. At age 14 he bought his first 10 acres and had employees working for him. The fruit stand is on the same corner he sat at when he was 6. It is a pretty awesome story.

So if you ever visit me in Homestead, expect a trip unless it is September or October - those are the only months it is closed.

The Park

The weather during my parent's Thanksgiving visit was incredible so we made many visits to the park that is right around the corner from us. We even had to wear a jacket every now and then.

Grandpa (my dad) pushing the girls on the swing.
Walking to the park
Great Grandpa Hall (my mom's dad) and McKenna.The injury that ended the trip... Kourtney launched from the swing. She was okay. :)

Picture Day at Life Pointe

We had a professional photographer take Christmas pictures. I can't wait to see them tomorrow.

Parent's Day at Paramount

Kourtney's dance studio had a parent's day where we could come in and watch and take pictures. Kourtney is the youngest girl in her class, but she does a good job keeping up!

Kourtney, Julia, and Sara... not sure of the order!

The Park at the beach

The Beach...yes, in November.

McKenna did not like the sand but she loves water. So I convinced her to play in this water for a few minutes before she cried again!
Kourtney LOVED the water and ran into it like she was a life guard!
She also built a sand castle with her daddy

The best show EVER!

I have gotten questions about my t-shirt so I must explain. I am a LOST (on ABC) fanatic. I live for Wednesdays after life group. Everyone leaves and I re-play my tivo to see LOST. If you aren't watching this show I dare you to rent the first DVD in season one and see if you can stop. It is so addictive!

The numbers from my t-shirt are a part of the mystery on the island and not a complicated math equation. I dare you to find out more!

Thank you Grammy and Grandpa!

The girls love their new shoes... McKenna didn't want to take hers off.
The Cinderella cookie was adorable and so tasty!

The birds and the bee... and one princess

McKenna loved the birds at Phil and Marcela's house. She was really cute with them.

Kourtney became quite the bird expert, even letting them stand on her head... until she realized that, "This bird might poop on me!"