thanksgiving 2015

This year Thanksgiving was with my family.  I knew when we moved that Thanksgiving would be different for us this year.  I knew it would involve a road trip and an overnight stay.  But after my Dad's stroke, we didn't even really know if we would be "home for the holidays".  Dad was in in-patient therapy at a few different places up until about a week before Thanksgiving.  We were so incredibly thankful to be able to all be at parents house to celebrate Thanksgiving.  

Mom made about half of the food and Nonnie made the rest.  The boys and I went to Dallas early on Monday morning but I didn't get to help Mom cook as much as I wanted to, because I had an upper respiratory infection.  I ended up at the doctor on Wednesday to get a steroid.  We kept things simple with throw away pans and what we call "fine china"(chinette plates). We didn't care though.  It all tasted so good!!

Carson was too cool to sit with the little kids.   He wanted to sit with the adults.

 After a delicious lunch, all the guys settled in the living room to watch the Cowboys, I put Nash down for a nap and the rest of us walked over to Nonnie's house to say hi!

 Usually we have Thanksgiving lunch at my grandma's house all together, but with Dad's stroke, he gets a little unsettled with craziness.  We thought our crazy kids would be enough, so we opted to do our own thing away from all my aunts and uncles and cousins.  I'm thankful my grandma lives across the street from my parents though so we were still able to see them.  

I really enjoyed being a guest at my parents house rather than just coming over for lunch.  After the game, we did a few crafts with Pearson, ate some leftover and then Mom and I did some Black Friday shopping.  

 Actually, we did quite a bit a Black Friday shopping.  We staying up past midnight shopping on our iPads.  That's the best Black Friday shopping there is.  You couldn't pay me to go wait in a line or mess with the crowds.  This is definitely the way to go!!

Friday morning, we headed to Sherman to visit Matt's parents.  We don't normally all get together for Thanksgiving when its our "off year" but everyone happened to come over so we all played some domino train.  It wouldn't be a Link Family gathering without it!

 And of course, these two sweet cousins always have the best time when they are together.  Nash was sleeping, but he love Big Ethan too!

 Happy Thanksgiving!

KK Thanksgiving Feast

At the beginning of November we pulled the boys out of their preschool because we were just not please with it at all.  Pearson started at a new preschool, but there wasn't a spot for Nash so he is just doing Mother's Day Out this year one day a week.  

After only being at Kid's Kaleidoscope for 3 weeks, their little Thanksgiving Feast & Program was confirmation that we made the right more.  KK reminds me so much of our old preschool in Wylie! 

Grammy & Grandaddy came into town for the little program.  Grammy came with us to take Pearson to school. 

It worked out perfectly that Nash has Mother's Day Out on Thursdays because we were able to go without him and really enjoy our sweet Pearson.  The tables were set up so cute with handmade decorations that they had made in class.  

 The feast was a potluck with the meat provided by the school.  We were assigned a side dish so I made green bean casserole.  

All the kiddos came out dressed up as pilgrims or Indians.  Our sweet boy was an Indian. They were all so cute! I can't wait to see Nash up on that stage next year!

 Matt was able to leave work for a while to see Pearson sing and eat lunch with us!

We were proud parents watching him perform.  Especially since he knew all the words after only going to school 6 days to learn all the songs!!

 It was fun for Grammy & Grandaddy to be able to come see him sing too.  

 They had all sorts of desserts but Pearson chose an acorn cookie! I have to say, he made a very good choice.  It was so good.  

After lunch, Daddy had to go back to work, but we all went to the book fair and did a little shopping.  Grammy bought the boys some fun books!!  

One thing we are definitely thankful for is our sweet little preschool!!

happy halloween 2015

I have no words for all the cuteness in this post!
Enjoy a picture overload of my little
Man in the Yellow Hat and Curious George!!

What's Up Wednesday? {October 2015}

What we're eating:

You can see our whole meal plan here, but I am trying a few new recipes from a Pioneer Woman episode Pearson and I watched.  It was a called "16 Minute Meals: Cowboy Style".  I am trying all three of her recipes from the episode this week…….Tex-Mex Fried Rice, Cowboy Chopped Salad, & Smothered Pork Chops.

What I'm reminiscing about:

With Halloween this weekend, I have been thinking of all of our past halloween costumes.  I just love coming up with their costumes each year!!

2011

Pearson- 4 months

2012

Pearson- 16 months

2013

Pearson- 2 years 4 month

 2014

Pearson- 3 years 4 months

Nash- 8 months

What I'm loving:

I'm loving the spooky little lunch I packed for Pearson and Nash!  

I blogged all the details here.  I had so much fun making this lunch that I think I have decided to pack a fun holiday themed lunch for each holiday.  I'm already looking for Thanksgiving ideas on Pinterest!!

What we've been up to:

Learning lots of scripture at AWANAS.

 Learning how to ride Bubba's scooter.  

 Going on walks to the park with friends.

 Picking out pumpkins at the pumpkin patch.

 Subbing at the boys school.

 Church hopping and trying to find a new church.

 Hanging out on the patio at Fresh with some MOPS gals. 

 Playing Let's Make a Deal at a MOPS meeting.

 Having playdates with friends.  

 Getting a trophy for an awesome season of soccer!

 Eating all the dip-dip!

 Going on a fancy smancy date night with my hot hubby!

Celebrating my Dad's 59th birthday with the whole fam!

Grocery shopping in our favorite car carts at Brookeshire's.  

 Eating pizza at Bruno's with our friends!!

What I'm dreading:

What I'm working on:

Our Christmas Cards!

I bought a deal on Groupon, now I just need to get them made.  I have to get mine our really early this year to let everyone know our new address.  We didn't send out Change of Address cards because of our crazy summer with my Dad, so if I don't get mine out early we won't get any cards in return.  

What I'm excited about:

 I'm so excited about the boys costumes this year!  We are going to our first Halloween event today.  We have a MOPS playdate.  We are going on a pumpkin hunt!! I'll post more pictures of the boys in their costumes this afternoon!

What I'm watching:

Matt and I watch Survivor and Modern Family on Wednesday nights together. 

Other than Nashville, that's really all the TV I am watching.  I have really cut back on my TV time this year.  I can't wait for the new Fixer Upper season to start on December 1st.

What I'm reading:

I checked out It Starts With Food from our from the library a few weeks ago.  I haven't read much, but what I have read has been very good.  I've been contemplating about doing a Whole30.  I have gained some weight since moving to Tyler and have just been feeling plain yucky.  I need to do something about it right now, but I will probably be one of the cliche persons that just starts in January.  It's way to hard to go on a diet during the holidays.  Whole30 is basically just a really strict Paleo diet.  I'm just going to do my best to eat more paleo-like for the rest of the year so hopefully the Whole30 won't be so hard in January.

What I'm listening to:

My boys have been playing so well together lately.  I just love hearing all these giggles!! 

What I'm wearing:

Technically I am not wearing them yet, but I can't wait to wear my new boots that Matt got me for my birthday when it finally cools down.  

What I'm doing this weekend:

We have a pretty low key weekend planned which I am really looking forward to.  All we have planned is Trick-or-Treating on Saturday (if it doesn't rain) and church and AWANAS on Sunday.  This past weekend was crazy busy with a soccer trophy presentation and a Trinity Mother Frances event on Saturday, then a day trip to Dallas for Ethan's birthday party and to have birthday lunch with all my family for my Dad.  So like I said, I'm looking forward to a low key weekend. 

What I'm looking forward to:

Finally feeling settled and at home in Tyler.  In my head I had that this would take 6 months, but we are nearing 6 months here in Tyler and it just doesn't feel like home yet.  I still have lots of decorating to do, we still need to find a church, and I'm longing for the deep relationships like we had back home.  I know it will come in time, but I'm really looking forward to the day Tyler feels like home.  

What else is new:

The boys are starting a new preschool next month.  The one I had them at just wasn't a good fit for us.  Pearson will still be going to preschool two days a week, Tuesday/Thursday from 9:30-1pm.  Nash will be at a different church going to a Mother's Day Out program only on Thursday from 9-2.  I'm kind of excited about have Tuesday with my baby boy and a special hour together with Pearson on Thursdays.  

Question of the Month:

What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe?

My grandma's candied sweet potatoes.  It's just boiled sweet potatoes cut up , 1 cup of sugar, and 1 stick of margarine and baked at 350 until they are candied.  I've made them before, but they weren't anywhere near as good as my grandma's.  She has a magic trick I must not know about!

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