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…

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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.

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

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

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 We warmed up around the fire.

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

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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.

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

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 We seen lots of fish…14761_1259575658720_1509527506_679475_1471699_n

14761_1259576058730_1509527506_679480_3811623_n And fish houses…

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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…

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

14761_1259578338787_1509527506_679504_6452713_n Even the Grinch showed up…

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

A couple of my favorites…

Raising money to help those in need…

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And a chance to donate toys for children…

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Lots of fun silly fish house floats to see…

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Lots of people having fun…

 

 

 

 

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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.

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Rachel Ray got to make cookies with Grandma Judie.

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

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Their finished product…

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

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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

20 comments:

Natalie said...

What lovely people. I am glad you had fun, the kid's little faces were priceless. :D

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Pseudo said...

Oh Lori, thank-you for sharing this. Loved this post. I think my favorite was Little Lady inthe baker's hat.

SciFi Dad said...

Sounds like an amazing way to spend Thanksgiving. Such great photos.

Brian Miller said...

ha. looks like you all had a marvelous time! great pics as well! i love parades...so thanks for bringing one right to our living room. smiles.

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a beautiful way to spend a holiday weekend! I can only imagine the kids had a blast...it looks like it and I suppose they will remember this trip for a long time to come!
Hugs, Suz

Joanna Jenkins said...

Who needs the Macy's Parade or Food network when we have YOU!

This entire post made me smile. I love all the happy faces and all the fun your family had together. What wonderful memories you created.

Thanks a million for sharing. It made my day.

xo

Bogey said...

I had a sneaking suspicion that you were providing the little one's with some well planted memories. What a joyous time you had and some fantabulous snaps to remember it all by. Lori, when you are passing around the accolades for all those who help you on the sidelines, you may want to add you and your hubby for the grand effort that you contribute. It all started on your door step.

Unknown said...

Now that seems like a wonderful, wonderful Thanksgiving! I am glad you have SO much love in your life! It fills my heart with happiness Lori! : )

Midlife Roadtripper said...

Looks like a grand day. And your parade was in the daytime. Much better pictures than mine!

Buckeroomama said...

I was smiling throughout your whole post. It's so lovely to see the pics of your little people having a good time, of seeing how other people in your life also contribute to their joy, and how you are so obviously blessed by their presence.

CiCi said...

What an amazing post. The pictures are totally fun and spontaneous, made me smile all through them. You have a nice way of writing and sharing. I so like the area where your sister and her husband live. How fortunate for them to have those 40 acres of heaven. Anyone would wish to be able to spend some time there in that environment of nature and fun and love in the family, all of you. The pancakes are so special with homemade syrup no less. Wow. The parade was more fun than a huge one because it was more intimate and friendly. And getting to make cookies and decorate them and have so much fun. I am so glad you had this time there with them for your Thanksgiving.

Hilary said...

Beautiful faces. I love the spirit of this post from beginning to end.

Jan said...

Oh, your Little People look so happy! That parade looks like loads of fun, too!

Your family is just so wonderful to be so loving and supportive of you; I'm so glad you have them.

(((Lori)))

Shrinky said...

Lori, what a beautiful place they live in, and that parade looks simply wonderful, such fun! Your little cherubs are gorgeous, but that pic with the chef's hat steals the show!

My sister is beginning to become a grand parent again, as her grandson has recently moved with his mum to live a few hours drive away from her. It's a double edged sword, and she tells me to be careful of what you wish for. My sis has raised little Chris from a baby, and he is seven now.. it's not easy to step back a little, he is her heart, and despite her knowing this is a positive step, her heart is still a little broken right now. All change takes adjustment to, she is watching and waiting and holding her breath right now.

I think she, and you, are absolutely amazing!

rxBambi said...

It looks like a great time was had by all! Those were great pix :)

Kathryn Magendie said...

I just loved this post with all the smiles and happiness! Made me smile and feel oh so happy!

The cute pancakes! Wish I had one righ tnow and I'm not a kid *laugh*

Joy to you, Lori...to you and to yours.

mommytoalot said...

Wow..what an amazing time you must have had. The pictures all of them are gorgeous. Crafts, cookies, awesome.
YOu're two little people are pretty lucky to have you and another set of "gramdma and grandpa"
xo

Kit Kat said...

Oh Lori, it was so fun to spend Thanksgiving with you!! I'm glad you and the little ones had so much fun! I sure did!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

What a perfect time! I love the pics. Thanks for sharing.

midlife slices said...

That looks like an absolutely perfect way to spend Thanksgiving. You are truly blessed. HUGS