over the river and through the woods...

 We have been fighting sickness here for the past week.  Grace caught a cold and it hit her hard.  Last weekend all she wanted was to be held or to lay around.  It was pathetic.  She is feeling much better, but mama got nothing done for about 5 days.  And, I secretly loved it.  I don't enjoy when my baby's are sick but I do love that they need me.  Since they are getting older, the snuggles are few and far between.  But there is something about not feeling well that just sends kids into their mom's arms. 

So we've been laying low this past week.  I have a bunch of pictures to share but my computer and my camera cable don't like each other right now, so those will have to wait.

We are in the last stages of packing for our annual Thanksgiving trip to Mark's parent's house.  This will be my 14th Thanksgiving with his family.  The kids are beyond excited!  The boys woke up at 6:30 asking if it was time to go yet. 

Mark's family does Thanksgiving right.  They gather as many family members as they can into one house and we eat, drink, sleep, eat, watch football, eat, play football, sleep and then eat some more.  It is casual and fun!  The kids love the time with their cousins.  Last year one of Mark's cousins brought his pet squirrel to dinner.  I kid you not!  It was a wild baby squirrel that he rescued and kept in the hood of his sweatshirt.  I'm not sure there will be as much excitement this year but I will certainly let you know if there is.  My only regret from last year is that I didn't take one picture of the squirrel.  I'm not sure why but I really wish I could post a picture of it here.

Instead, I'm posting pictures that have no other home.  We were playing outside not too long ago and Luke was playing with his shadow and John was playing with dirt.  I kind of like these pictures, so I put them in this post with no real theme. 

I'm hoping to get back to regular blogging after Thanksgiving.  I have a few ideas swirling around in my brain and need to get them out on paper so I can use that space in my brain for other things.  Does that ever happen to you?  That you need to get an idea or story out of your head or you just have no peace from it?

Wishing all of you a very a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!