Thanksgiving

 We stayed in Iowa again this year for Thanksgiving.  The strike at Joeys work was still going on and that made wanting to travel not happen.  But, thankfully, they signed a contract just before thanksgiving so Joey was able to relax a little, but was too late for us to change our plans.  

Joey had planned our thanksgiving meal and he enlisted quite the help.  He had every kid help him prepare are meal. Ella made the mashed potatoes, peeled and mashed them. And here she is stirring the gravy.

Eli helped with the dressing and the green beans and you can see Josie is helping peel the potatoes too!

Eli cutting the green beans!

A busy kitchen that I wasn't in!  Win for me! ;)

And Ella set the table!  They all did good and Ella was super proud of her mashed potatoes.

And a little bubble bath to end the day!

And to finish the holiday weekend we got in the Christmas spirit!  

And this stupid onesie Joey has is so wonderful....

A little elf house I wanted the kids picture in front of. :)

Family pics 2021

Family pictures this year were a little different because we were all in quarantine because some of us, Jane and I, were + for covid. So no one was able to help take pictures.  We only got a few pictures and like only 2 good family picture, but that is all we need anyway, I guess...

Just Keep Swimming!

The kids did their first swim meet this season.  This was Eli's first swim meet ever.  He was pretty excited.  During warm ups it looked like Eli was drowning, but he didn't thankfully, and he did great! The meet was in Waukee IA which meant we were able to visit some friends after.  We spent the night and hung out with our friends, which is why we picked going to this particular meet.  We took full advantage of the location.

 Here are few pics from the meet.  

Halloween 2021

Halloween shenanigans looked a lot like those in the years past. We started the holiday off with painting our pumpkins.  Ella painted a cat, Eli's was fire and Josie did Stitch.  They really enjoy doing it.  Eli free handed his and that took a lot for me to just let him do it.  :)

We went camping and the campground does a Halloween weekend and so we try to get that.  The kids can go around and trick or treat at the campers.  Here are the group of kids that went around.  Lots of candy!!  Just what they needed...

On our actual trick or treat night, Eli had a costume change from the firefighter to a skeleton.

Ella the witch and Josie a skeleton.  Josie actually did not get mad that Eli wanted to change to skeleton like her! :)

All their loot that we are STILL trying to eat and it's December! LOL