November 29th

I guess all of the holiday hub-bub has Emery worn out because this is how she slept for 3 1/2 hours during her nap.

November 28th

We have been cleaning out our closets and this is the SECOND pile going to Good Will this year. Good riddens!

November 27th

After only a couple of days with her new easel, Emery has created many new masterpieces; this one especially. Maybe its just me and my "she's my baby and everything she makes is amazing" attitude. But, look out the window. See any similarities?

November 26th

Em decided she'd help pay for dinner out by becoming a street performer. Look at all those tips!

November 25th

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

It snowed!

Mmmm. Turkey.

Table for 9!

This time we celebrated Christmas. More presents!

Big thanks to Isaiah for putting Em's new shopping cart together.

November 24th

We took advantage of having family in town and celebrated Em's birthday a little early!

Thanks everyone for all the great stuff!

November 23rd

The house is family and Thanksgiving ready. Bring it on!

November 22nd

Now that's what I like to see towards the end of November. Reminds me of Florida!

November 21st

I received my Christmas present early from David this year. Which means I'll be without my wedding rings for a week or so.... ;)

November 20th

David ran the YMCA half marathon and came in 3rd overall; 2nd male! I do have to add that he had the home field advantage since most of the course went through our neighborhood. He gets to run these brutal hills on a regular basis. But still! Way to go babe!

This is probably the hardest part of the run. Runners have to trek up this VERY STEEP grade to get to the half way point, just to turn around and go back. I think every, runner that passed by me at this point said, "This is Brutal!"

November 19th

After more than a year of living in this house and 2 weeks of potty training, we had the carpet cleaned today. Ahh.

November 18th

eenie meenie miney moe

November 17th

Watching the fog roll in on the way to yoga.

November 16th

Remember yesterdays drawing? Well, David brought home the one he did today and showed me up. I think we'll be giving these to the contractors.

November 15th

We want to remodel our kitchen a little to open it up a bit. And there's nothing like a homemade drawing to get the contractor to understand your ideas.

November 14th

And here it is. Wild Bear Stew. Tastes like regular beef stew to me. The meat was really tender too. I made a whole bunch so that David could take it work and share with everyone. *Note: Needs a lot more salt than the recipe called for.

November 14th

That's right. You read that correctly. A guy at David's work had a bunch of meat leftover and gave us some. It took me two days to find a way to cook this stuff. Stay tuned....

November 12th

David brought home 2 sleds today! Why are we buying sleds on Nov. 12th when it hasn't even dipped below freezing yet? Well, last year, we got about 8-10 inches of snow at one time. We went out to buy a sled to enjoy the fun but they were all sold out...every one of them, in every store, all over town. And they weren't going to get anymore in until the next winter. So, we were forced to ride down these awesome hills of snow on a pool float. Fun, but not the most durable. This year, we stocked up as soon as they came in. Woo Hoo!

November 11th

The kid is in bed and Day 2 is over. Cheers.

November 10th

The cool new way to watch morning cartoons in your big girl underwear.

Day 1 of potty training complete.

November 9th

Another MOPS masterpiece.

November 8th

Two more days until we throw away the diapers!

...and then dig them out. Wish us luck!

November 7th

We bundled up the kids to watch Scott and David run the Bass Pro Marathon this morning. These are about the best group pics you can get of a 6yr old, a 3 yr old, and a 22month old watching a race. My mouth was saying, "Say cheese!" but my mind was saying, "Sit still will ya!"

November 6th

I signed Emery up for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library a few months ago. It is the coolest thing to open up the mailbox and find a free book inside. Each month Dolly sends us a free age appropriate story book through her foundation. So far we have recieved The Little Engine That Could, The Little Wild Horse, and this month's I Am A Rainbow. It is so nice to have some new material. I can read Green Eggs and Ham and The Best Nest with my eyes closed.

November 5th

Company was coming in town so we cleaned the house all day. While I was vacuuming, Em thought this would be a good time to ride Geoffrey on the couch. Dare Devil!

November 4th

I am thinking of doing a brined turkey for Thanksgiving this year. Both Food Network and Pioneer Woman recommend it. Anyone have any suggestions or tips on the best way to go about doing this? I have read a couple different ways. Frozen vs. Fresh. Bucket vs. Brine Bag. Seasonings etc... Just wondering if anyone has ever done this before.

November 3rd

Em decided that she need a comfortable place to sit directly in front of the TV to watch cartoons. She pulled her high chair from the dining room all by herself. Creative.

November 2nd

November 1st

This is Taco Bowl. It is my "go-to" dish. It is easy and I always have all of the ingredients in my kitchen. It takes about 10 minutes to make. Browning the meat and adding the taco seasoning is the hardest part of making this dish...that is how easy it is. It's all about the layering. Here's how you make it...
Grab a bowl.
Put a little taco meat in the bottom.
Top with some cheese.
Quarter a tortilla and overlap on top.
Spread some refried beans.
Add more taco meat.
Top with more cheese.
Overlap another quartered tortilla.
Top with Salsa.
Sprinkle more cheese.
Microwave 1 minute.
Dollop some sour cream.
Enjoy.
The kids will love it.