Happy Thanksgiving and early Christmas!

Lacey wanted to say hi!

Happy Black Friday!!

Apparently we are crazy, but Andi, Katie, Jenni, Kelly, and I met up at 4:30am on Black Friday to fight the crowds and shop to our hearts content. We hit Toys R Us at 5am and it was a TOTAL madhouse...people were scrambling around like crazy. We loaded up a cart and waited in a really long line, but it was so much fun. We then headed to Southcenter Mall and Ikea...the pics are of the vehicle, which could not have fit one more item! I separated from the girls around noon and headed to downtown Seattle with my mom until about 10pm. I was exhausted and broke, but it was a great day! I can't wait until next year!

The back of the car...holy cow!

Andi taking a rest in the IKEA bedding section

The front

The back

Our cart at Toys R Us

Family Picture Day!

On Wednesday November 26th, our group of friends got together for a family picture day. Jenni's dad, Simon, takes great pictures and agreed to come over and snap a few photos of each family and then one big picture with all 10 adults and all 7 kidlets. The process was quite humorous...lot's of kids who didn't want their pictures taken and a bunch of adults who did just about anything to elicit smiles from them! Candy bribes, silly dances, a lot of loud noises...we stopped at nothing! We haven't gotten the CD's from Simon yet, but here are some pics from the rest of the evening.

Jakey and Blake

Colby couldn't get enough of Blake's nakedness...pretty funny

Cammi playin with Uncle Matt

Andi getting Colby all ready for her picture

Jason and Cade

Brian and Emme...she was totally out for the count

NKOTB!

Jenni and I love going to concerts, so of course we had to include New Kids on the Block in our concert line up. The concert was great. We had so much fun singing along to all the songs and laughing at how surreal the whole experience was! I couldn't stop smiling...I'm so glad we went! Did I mention that I'm still in love with Donnie Wahlberg? Hmmmm....I thought that went away when I was 10.

All the boys (well, men now...since they're roughly 40)

A great end to an endlessly long day!

Dirty Dancing...great song

Oh Donnie

These outfits were priceless...I have never seen so many side ponnies in one room!

Andi rocked the Tee...wish I still had mine!

Matt's 32nd Birthday!

On November 14th, our friends and family got together to celebrate Matt's 32nd birthday. We started out at our house for pizza and then headed to the Chalet bowling alley for rock n bowl! We had so much fun...it's been a long time since the whole group has gotten out of the house together. It reminded me how blessed we are to have such great friends! I didn't do very well taking pictures this time, but here are a few.

Matt and his bowling pin

signing the pin

Tucking in your shirt to your pants is "in"

Katie, Jen, and Mandy

Our first dance competition of the year!

Jenni and I just got back from our very first competition of the year. It was a long day, but the girls did a good job and we all had a pretty good day. I thought I would share a couple of pics because they are just too dang cute!

Halloween

Matt and I decided to have a laid back Halloween this year...we carved a pumpkin...scratch that, I carved a pumpkin. Matt sat on the couch and took the occasional picture. But I have to say, my pumpkin carving skills are stellar and I'm glad he can't claim any part of my carving spectacular! Okay, moving on...on the night of Halloween, our neighborhood was so BUSY! We spent about 3 hours constantly answering the door. Most of the kids were cute, only one little girl pushed past me into my house and demanded she pick her own peice of candy. Meanwhile, her brother was telling me he didn't like what I gave him...what is the world coming to?! Other than that, the night was fun and we can't wait until we can actually take our own kids trick or treating!

Lacey and our pumpkin

the skull...yes, it's real...my dad has had it since he was 20

diggin in!


totally posed picture

my beautiful pumpkin

ohhhhhh scaaary

our porch, all lit up!