In our family...

In our family....we do second chances...we do grace...we do real...we do mistakes...we do I'm sorry (and I forgive you)...we do loud really well...we do hugs...we do family...we do love.















Sunday, November 29, 2009

Adventures at Birkwood Forrest

On Thanksgiving morning, we packed up our van and our two little rascal’s and headed to…

CIMG0126

Which is where my sister and her husband live on 40 acres of heaven.

They are the grandparents that we don’t get to be, to our little people. Their daughters are like aunties to little man and little lady. We adore them.

CIMG0017

The little people think they are the cat’s meow.

14761_1259573298661_1509527506_679449_5091601_n

14761_1259574178683_1509527506_679459_4923969_n

14761_1259577338762_1509527506_679492_8101127_n

Besides eating really well, we walked in the woods, climbed deer stands and swung on the swing.

14761_1259573938677_1509527506_679457_5450417_n

14761_1259574258685_1509527506_679460_6738506_n

14761_1259573538667_1509527506_679453_2488015_n

CIMG0136

CIMG0139

CIMG0128 CIMG0123

 We warmed up around the fire.

14761_1259574338687_1509527506_679461_3045232_n

Grandpa Jim keeps us busy with hauling wood and doing little jobs.

CIMG0114 CIMG0116

CIMG0110 We helped Grandpa Jim put corn out for the deer.CIMG0111

Grandma Judie made us pancakes with fruit faces and homemade chokecherry syrup on them. Yum.

CIMG0095 CIMG0098

We went to a fish house parade….little man got interviewed by the parade mc…he was not shy at all.

14761_1259577218759_1509527506_679491_696413_n

 We seen lots of fish…14761_1259575658720_1509527506_679475_1471699_n

14761_1259576058730_1509527506_679480_3811623_n And fish houses…

CIMG0026  CIMG0090

And silly people throwing beads…

14761_1259575938727_1509527506_679478_3348485_n…someone was very excited to catch her fish beads! We were very excited to watch for candy being thrown…

CIMG0040 CIMG0068

Of course Santa and Mrs. Clause were in the parade….CIMG0091

14761_1259578338787_1509527506_679504_6452713_n Even the Grinch showed up…

CIMG0060

…along with some children he had captured….CIMG0063  CIMG0061

A couple of my favorites…

Raising money to help those in need…

CIMG0045

And a chance to donate toys for children…

14761_1259578018779_1509527506_679500_7854667_n

Lots of fun silly fish house floats to see…

14761_1259575138707_1509527506_679470_5684163_n

14761_1259576578743_1509527506_679486_5004503_n

 CIMG0085 CIMG0082

Lots of people having fun…

 

 

 

 

14761_1259578058780_1509527506_679501_3970693_n

It might not be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade but it sure is lots of fun.

We left with a bag full of candy.

And these two look forward to it all year long…CIMG0019

Grandma Judie kept us busy with doing crafts. We made snowmen.

CIMG0152

Rachel Ray got to make cookies with Grandma Judie.

CIMG0102  CIMG0108

CIMG0106

CIMG0142  CIMG0143

 Of course, Emeril had to get in on the action.

CIMG0148 CIMG0147

CIMG0150

Their finished product…

CIMG0003

I think “grandpa & grandma” look tired out and our 2 little people are looking pretty sad to be leaving.

CIMG0159

Our hearts are full of thankfulness for these people that make us feel so special and loved all year long.

Thank you Grandpa Jim & Grandma Judie!

Thank you Leah & Kaitlyn!

Thank you for all that you give to us. Thank you for sharing your little piece of heaven with us. We love you!

My heart is full tonight as I write, look at photo’s and reflect on these past few days.

I am thankful for my parents and all my brothers and sisters and their spouses…for all the support they give my husband and I in this grand adventure of second time parenting. I am thankful for all the love they give to our little people. I know we couldn’t do this without the love and support of those that surround us.

Thank You

To live a life of gratitude is to open our eyes to the countless ways in which we are supported by the world around us.Such a life provides less space for our suffering because our attention is more balanced. We are more often occupied with noticing what we are given, thanking those who have helped us, and repaying the world in some concrete way for what we are receiving.
-- Gregg Krech

I hope that your eyes are open to all that surrounds you.

Love & Hugs

Lori