Fall Festival

Last night was the Fall Carnival at my school and Quinn decided he wanted to come hang out with the big kids.  He has gotten really into Halloween this year talking about it all the time.  "Mommy, no leaves...Happy Halloween!"  "Mommy, where da puppy costume?"  For days he was talking about getting to wear his puppy costume and it was a struggle to convince him that he couldn't wear it to the gym and to Ms. Christy's house.  In fact, our conversation yesterday morning went something like this:

Me:  Good Morning Love.  Did you sleep well.

Q:  Yes, where da puppy costume?

Me:  Mommy packed it so we can wear it after Ms. Christy's house.

Q:  No, wear it now?

Me:  No, we're going to go to the gym, then Ms. Christy's house, then you get to wear the puppy costume.

Q:  Puppy costume first?

Me:  No...after Ms. Christy's.

Q:  Mmmm...No, puppy costume first.

Needless to say, he was so excited when I picked him up at Christy's house and he got to dress up in his costume.  Here are a few pics...Brad was even able to come enjoy the festivities for awhile!

With the cutest puppy

Daddy and Quinn (he wouldn't put down his Jump Zone prize for even a second)

On another note...we are now 15 weeks pregnant.  If you didn't know me, you wouldn't know I was pregnant, but anyone who knows me knows that my belly button is protruding, and my stomach is much rounder than normal.  No complaints here though...feeling GREAT!

Thanksgiving 2011

This year was my first year to host any holiday and I was so excited about being able to feed and entertain 14 people!  My mom always was able to entertain large masses of people seemingly effortlessly so now was my turn to try it out.  I spent days thinking about the timing of dishes and trying to figure out how to get everything onto the table warm, but really, it was all quite easy.  A simple math problem that I think I scored 100% on.

Our menu included:
Appetizers:  cheese and crackers, shrimp cocktail, and deviled eggs
Main Meal:  turkey, gravy, salmon, steamed green beans, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, roasted butternut squash, cranberry relish, stuffing, and beer bread
Desserts:  Pumpkin Pie (thank you Sam's Club), Whipped cream (the real stuff of course), Dutch Apple Cake, and Lemon Squares

All 14 of us were well fed and happy.  The only thing that would have made the day better was if my mom was able to be down here with us.  Nonetheless, it will be a Thanksgiving weekend I will always remember.

Melodee and Josh

Anna ready to chow down

Quinn and his cousins Corynn, Lars, and Eryk

Playing with cousin Corynn

Giving Kisses (only on the lips though)

Quinn and Grandpa Cotton - Please don't take 

hairstyling advice from him Quinn!

Grandpa Cotton and his grandchildren