A day for thanks...

Whose bright idea was it to host Thanksgiving in her home just a month after moving in???  Oh, that would be me.  And it was a bright idea.  It gave us major motivation to unpack boxes and get some stuff hung on the walls. 

We would have been in trouble has it not been for the family all pitching in to make Thanksgiving Day so easy and fun.  Everyone brought something for the meal.  Then everyone helped clean up.  That's the worst part!  (A special thanks to my pregnant sister who worked harder than anyone to help get everything ready.  Heather, you are an amazing mama and sister.  I am so thankful to have you in my life!)

We had 20 of our nearest and dearest share our home for the day.  God blessed us with perfect weather so we were able to sit on the porch some.  The guys, and my baby sister, shot some skeet.  The kids ran everywhere!  And the ladies got to just sit and enjoy each other's company. 

Blessed I tell you.  Blessed beyond measure.   

Ava Grace and Micah B.

Papa Joe and Halie Kate!

Up to no good.

See.  Cousins can always find trouble.

You take my breath away beautiful girl!

Grandma giving Ava some love and wisdom.

I could eat you little butterball.

My sister and mom putting the finishing touches on dinner.

As we gather round to pray...

we give thanks for one another...

we squeeze each other tighter because we know how blessed we are.



My mama and sister.  So stinkin' cute.

You too mister.  How did you get so cute?  Must have a cute mom.  :)

 

 

Sisters in every color.  We planned it that way.

 

 

Grandma and Pa joined us.  We loved having them!!

Papa and Grandma were there too.

A rather precious picture of Pam and Daniel.

Not sure about these two crazies.

Papa Joe on baby duty.  He and Micah have a delicate relationship.  As in, sometimes Papa is hilarious and sometimes he is scary.

Liv needed a buddy to bounce her.  Nana took on the challenge.

Beautiful Nana.

Sweet baby Liv.

 

Oh daughter, why must you grow so.  I guess I'm even thankful for that.

 

Our Home Sweet (new) Home.

I have been non-stop busy with moving, kids and...well, more kids.  My blogging life has taken a hit.  But I do want to share a bit of our latest adventure.  Matt and I have aspired to country living for as long as we have been making plans together.  We have been fortunate enough to have had a couple of years in the country via temporary housing.  That did little to quell our desire for full-time rural living.

 So when we found this little jewel, only 10 miles from town, we jumped on it.  It has everything that we had wanted.  Trees, a cute house with a yard, a barn, a few acres and did I mention trees???  Plus, we get to stay connected to the only community my kiddos have ever known.  I say the Lord heard our hearts and gave us a precious gift.

To make things even better, the realtor that sold us the property was also the owner.  We have been given every bit of information we could ever want about this place.  He even came over the other day just to tell us where the pipes and electrical were buried.  We have gotten to see pictures of their family loving this home: grandkids playing in the yard, folks sitting on the porch.  (Did I mention the porch?  It is fabulous!)  We feel like we have gained extended kin.  I hope their history draws them back here someday to share in the sweetness of this place.  And I pray that we honor their memories with our living.  

So get ready for lots of posts updating on the house or on the many adventure we plan to have here.  We have an extensive list.  Fruit trees, breaking ground for a HUGE garden, grapes, bees, goats, more chickens, and maybe even a tree bed.  (The past owner slept in one under the big cottonwood for many years.  I would have never thought of it but I love the idea!) 

Please enjoy the tour...

      

Here it is!  Our new little home.

It was built in the 50's and has been lovingly care for.

Our sweet little farmhouse.

With amazing views!

It's like we live in the middle of a park.

Our barn at the back of the property.  So big with so much potential.

If you have never been to our part of the world, this is what it looks like.  Now you know why the trees on our land our so important to us.  They are rare and precious here.

I love the view from my kitchen window.

Don't look at me like that you little toot.  You have peas on your face!

We have such a cozy living room.

Look at all of the space in my kitchen!  Tons of storage.  We will update eventually but for now, we love it.

Lots of time will be spent right here.

Up the stairs to our attic rooms.  I cannot show you those.  They are not presentable at the moment.

Ever watch the sunset from your second story window?  It's the best place to be.  Goodnight!



Campout at the new house

Asher celebrated his 9th birthday this month.  In celebration he did his usual.  A camp out!  We have done these camp outs in various places.  This year our new backyard was the perfect spot.  So we got some hot dogs, put up the tent and watched the boys roll in.  It was stinky boy (and dad) heaven.

Bet you didn't know this is how you use a wheelbarrow.  Levi was helping his daddy set up.

 

 

Ta-dah!  Vanna White, look out!

Asher and sweet Blake ready to get their camp on.

Lovely little spot right in our own backyard.

Some of the dudes.

Sitting around the fire.  They had so much fun!

Happy birthday to my Asher.  I am so happy that you are mine!

It was cold so baby girl got Daddy's hat.

Jolie had to be a civil war heroin at her school's wax museum.  They all had to memorize their bios and recite them to whomever stood in front of them.

She did a great job!  Go Jolie!

Oh boy.  Been out in the country for 3 weeks and we have a black eye.  *sigh*

My hair has been an issue for me the past few months.  I really wanted to cut it when Micah was born but didn't.  I finally got sick of it.  I called for an appointment and got in the next day.  When I decide something, I want it fast.

 

The weight of the world is no longer on my head!  I love it and am wondering why I didn't do it sooner.  It will be much easier to care for.  and I won't be sporting a ponytail everyday.  Happy mama!