Black Friday...

The girls had the first Black Friday experience today. Well, actually...when we lived in Virginia Beach we drove to Williamsburg on Thanksgiving night and stayed at a hotel adjacent to the outlet mall. But, the girls and Daddy slept in while Mommy and Nana shopped. We did the same thing one year in California. But, this year the girls actually went shopping with me. We didn't even get going until after 10:30, and we went to The Greene (which was not crowded at all.) But hey, we were out there. Although we accomplished very little shopping, we had a nice time--especially eating lunch at Panera. Happy shopping!

Wearing black on Black Friday is totally in...

@ The Greene (check out Logan's missing tooth)...

They're ready for Christmas...

Thanksgiving on the Farm...

Growing up, I used to spend almost every Thanksgiving down at my grandparents farm. Since the Navy has kept our family criss-crossing the country, we hadn't been able to make it for Thanksgiving in a very long time. So, even though Daddy had to work in D.C. (someone's gotta keep the country safe ; ) my Mom and I packed up the girls and drove to western Indiana. The girls had a great time playing with all their (second and third) cousins. It was also get to spend time with Great Grandma and Grandpa...especially since yesterday Great Grandpa T. turned 91 years old. Despite missing Daddy, it was a great Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for this year...a new house, good school, great friends, our health, and of course three wonderful daughters. Happy Thanksgiving!

The girls on Thanksgiving morning...

Getting ready for the drive...

Cousins...

Great Grandma and Grandpa with all six great grand kids...

School Thanksgiving Parties...

The Kindergartners enjoyed their Thanksgiving party today. Carsyn loves school anyway, but anytime the word "party" is involved, it's just that much more fun! She had a great time making crafts and sampling the pumpkin fluff that they created.

Carsyn...

"Pumpkin fluff"...

Maren's class also had special Thanksgiving treats and crafts. She had a lot of fun too, but got a little carried away with the finger paints--good thing we took the picture before school.

Maren...

We Heart Sundays...

...especially when daddy doesn't have to work! We enjoyed a pretty relaxed weekend. Nothing at all to report on for Saturday (other than another disappointing Irish loss.) Today after mass our church had it's annual Christmas Bazaar and pancake breakfast. The girls loved it, but not as much as daddy! Some people in our house just really love breakfast foods.

The girls before mass...

Always stylish for church...

Big Tuesday...

Today was a big day for the girls. First of all, Logan's class had the readings for the all school mass this morning, and Logan was selected to do the First Reading. She did awesome. I was terribly nervous for her--not that she's not a great reader--just being a mom, i guess. But, she wasn't at all nervous. In fact, she received several compliments afterward.

Getting ready to start their big day...

Later this afternoon Carsyn had to go back to school for the Fall Music Program rehearsal. All the students in kindergarten, first, and second grades performed songs from the the 1800's through the 1930's. Carsyn had been practicing at home for weeks, so she was very excited to finally get to sing in front of an audience. Tonight we went back to school for the real performance. Logan and Carsyn's classes did great, and they had a lot of fun!

Carsyn at the rehearsal...

Kindergarten...

Logan at the rehearsal...

Logan and friends waiting to go on...

Second grade...

Lucey, Carsyn, Lakyn, and Logan...

Carsyn and Shannon...

Post-performance pics...

Just Like Old Times...

One of the hardest parts of leaving California, was leaving behind our good friends and across-the-street neighbors. It was especially difficult for Logan to say goodbye to her best friend, Grace. So, Logan was beyond excited when we drove over to Richmond on Friday night to pick up Grace for the weekend. It had been over a year that the girls had seen each other, but they didn't miss a beat. They seemed to pick up right where they left off. After staying up way too late chit-chatting, the girls all slept in a little on Saturday morning. Carsyn and Logan's Girl Scout troops had volunteered to help with the "Buckeye Roll A-Thon" for the annual Christmas bazaar. So, Grace came with us. The girls had tons of fun, and actually were a lot of help. What a yummy way to volunteer. Afterward the girls had all been invited to our neighbor, Shannon's birthday party. It was a pool party, so the girls all loved it! Saturday night--after our busy day--we just hung out at home and ordered pizza. Sunday morning we went to mass. The girls were all very behaved...must have been the doughnut bribe! We almost always let them get donuts after 10 o'clock mass. Then the girls wanted to take Grace to the Boonshoft Museum. They had so much fun looking at the animals, playing in the exhibits, and dancing in the dance room. It was sad all over again to take Grace back to her dad, but the girls had a GREAT weekend! Logan, Carsyn, and Maren were so happy to have their old friend Grace to play with again. It definitely was just like old times!

Grace and Logan--too excited to sleep...

Logan and Lakyn making buckeyes...

The whole gang hyped up on chocolate...

Carsyn and the Birthday Girl...

Ready to go swimming...

Maren loves the water...

The girls at the museum...

Awww...

Maren...

BFF's...

Grace is such a good friend to Carsyn too...

Logan's First Sleepover...

Logan went to her first sleepover party last night. She was so excited, and had been looking forward to it all week. All the girls had a ton of fun...making lip gloss, painting their nails, watching movies, and lots of giggling. What a fun night for her.

Logan all ready for her first sleepover...

The Columbus Zoo...

It was such a gorgeous day today, so we decided to do something fun...outdoors. We drove over to Columbus and took the girls to the zoo there. It's a really nice zoo. It was not very crowded, and the weather was perfect. The only down side to the Columbus Zoo was being surrounded by Ohio State fans ; (. But, that's the norm on any Saturday during football season around here. Afterward we went out to eat at California Pizza Kitchen--it had been way too long. It was a great day...until we got home to watch the dvr'd Notre Dame game, only to see them lose to Navy : (!

Going to the zoo...

Maren and Daddy checking out the seven-month-old baby elephant...

Logan looking at the tigers...

Carsyn and the gila monster...

The girls...

When the Saints Go Marching In...

Carsyn's Kindergarten class had their All Saints Day parade around the school today. Carsyn chose Saint Cecilia again this year. But, unfortunately we had to get another costume...mommy mistakenly put last year's dress in with all the other dress-up clothes ; (. All the kids did great marching into the other classrooms and announcing their saint. They were so cute.

Saints Cecilia and Lucy...

Sleeping In...

After eating way too much Halloween candy and staying out a little too late, we were super-thankful for the the extra hour of sleep this morning. We were able to make it to ten o'clock mass, and then spent the day relaxing and enjoying this pretty mild Sunday.

Maren...

Carsyn...

Logan...

The girls before church...