Reasons To Be Grateful

I convinced my mom (Dad couldn't make it because of work) and my brother to come visit us for Thanksgiving.  It didn't take much...just someone to point out to them that it would be much warmer in San Antonio during Thanksgiving, than it would be in Idaho Falls.  

Just  a few of the pictures I took during the week.  I wish I had taken more--I've been lazy about taking pictures these days.

A walk around the River Walk with my mom and bro:

Ryan, my brother, decided that he needed some Cowboy boots to take home with him.  Cora was so good to help him pick some out!

Ailee decided to try out some Western Wear while we were at the store.  

I decided that I needed to do SOMETHING fun for the kids this year.  I remember as a kids making turkeys out of apples, toothpicks, and gum drops.  So we relived some of my childhood traditions.

There were a lot of gumdrops eaten during this process.

Thanksgiving day was spent mostly in the kitchen (of course).  I can do a lot of things...cut wood, craft, tie my shoes...but cooking is not my favorite, so I was glad my mom was there to direct things.  We had lots of help from the men-folk, too:

 Those were some killer mashed potatoes!

 All ready for a feast!!

We were all sufficiently stuffed, and had plenty of leftovers the whole next week.

It was nice to have others around who like to play games.  Mostly I just loose, but I still enjoy a good game of Pinochle or Scrabble.  And we had a few minutes to goof around on the Face Juggler app, too...

Yikes, right??

The day after Thanksgiving we made a visit to SeaWorld.  I caught Shamu on camera.  It was pretty splashy!

Kade and Ailee made it on to the Jumbo Tron, as did my bottom.  A proud moment in my life.

Makin' friend with some SeaWorld penguins:

Getting cozy with Shamu:

It was a fun week.  I was really glad Mom and Ryan came out to visit us--we had a blast!  I look forward to more Thanksgiving that are as memorable as this one!

Two Much Two Celebrate

November means another birthday at the Roundy house!

Little Cora turned TWO!

I think she was pretty excited to have a moment in the spotlight.

But it only lasted a moment because everyone had to "help" her open her presents....

(and no, we have not adopted another child...well, in legal terms anyway.  That is our little neighbor girl.  They just moved in about 2 months ago.  We see her [and often her little sister] quite a bit, and even more frequently when her mom is out of town.  She was over playing, and when I told her she needed to head home because we were about to open presents with Cora, I couldn't dismiss the sad little look she gave me.  So, I invited her to stay.)

Our little birthday girl:

 As per my new tradition, I took Cora out one day and snapped some pictures of her:

Trying to master holding up 2 fingers:

Cora loves to copy--actions, noises, and people in general.  She is quite the mocking bird.  I love to watch her dance because she likes to get the facial expressions going!

Her favorite act is to sit in the shopping cart at the store and wave at passerby's.  Her sweet little "Hi!" is hard to resist.

This kids wants so much to be like her big sisters

It was pointed out to me how much she looks like Kade in this picture:

Life is one big game to this little girl:

I just love her to death!