A Full Thanksgiving

We had a marvelous Thanksgiving!! I will try my best to keep it simple....

Al's parents came to celebrate with us since Al had to work the entire time except Thanksgiving Day itself. My in-laws arrived Tue for dinner and that's when the fun began!

We had fun around the house on Wednesday with Addie getting a Baby Doll Crib for her birthday (she was getting so many gifts, we decided to spread them out a bit). Just the girls went to the outlets to scope it out. We heard of some amazing deals going on during the Midnight Madness and decided to think about it.

Turkey Day started off with watching the NY Macy's Day Parade- both kids liked it, but Addie was glued to it from start to finish! Later, we had some good friends come over for Thanksgiving dinner. The kids all had fun together! Then at 11pm, Mom and I headed to the Outlets for Midnight Madness. Neither one of us had ever done anything like this, so it was an adventure! We certainly got some great deals- and we were shocked at how many people were there even at 3am when we left!

Friday morning, the Christmas decorations went up! The kids helped PopPop put up the tree and then they decorated it- even Alden got into putting on the ornaments! Once that was done, we went to Salisbury to visit Santa- Addie was SO excited!! When it was her turn to see him, she just lit up and told him enegetically, "I want a baby doll, please! I want a baby doll, please! I want a baby doll, please! Oh, PopPop wants a red 'vett (corvette)." The picture turned out cute, but my scanner isn't working so you will just have to take my word for it! We then stopped by Al's Lowes and visited him briefly. The kids were exausted- as were all the adults! Al and I got a treat- the Grandparents watched the kids and Al and I got to go out, just us! We went back to the outlets to see if they had any more bargins.

Saturday we relaxed around the house and let Addie open the rest of her birthday gifts from MarMar and PopPop. She LOVED the new baby diapers and 2 new outfits for her dolls! After naptime, we bundled up and headed to Ocean City. We had a Birthday Dinner for Addie at The Doughroller and then walked to the Winterfest of Lights. We got there just in time- the line wrapped around the building within minuets of us getting in line! We rode the little trolley around the park looking at all the light displays. Addie's favorite was the Cinderella display while Alden enjoyed it all! After that, we needed to thaw out a bit, so we went to Starbucks where Addie had a special birthday Peppermint Decafe Mocha- she LOVED it!

Sunday we went to church and then sadly after that, the Grandparents had to leave. We had a wonderful weekend with them and are so thankful for happy times like this!!

Addie is THRILLED with her new doll crib!

Addie studying the parade.

Addie at the kids table- this was actually Mom Perreca's as a kid, but Dad P stripped and stained it for her and Alden!

The Turkey Day Group! Notice the kids are with us- The Kids Table didn't go over so well with them....

Helping PopPop put up the tree

Alden putting on decorations

Addie decorating her own little tree to put in her room- it's the tree that Al and I had when we first got married.

Opening her birthday gifts!


Showing off Baby Becca's new outfit!

Her special birthday dinner at Doughroller!

All bundled up and ready go see some lights!

Happy Couple!

Addie and her birthday Mocha

Alden had fun taking these 4 bags of coffee off the shelf, and then putting them back....

The kids and their new outside decorations- the big tree is Addie and the smaller tree is Alden

The Perreca Elves

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Fun Pictures

Here are some fun pictures from around the house.

See, Alden DOES have top teeth! From the looks of that gap between the 2 top, he's going to be a champion spitter!!

Alden stylin'- he was SO proud of himself that he could put them on!!


My big-little kids! They love it when the sofa cushions are propped up- it's just their size then!


Handy Addie- helping Daddy fix the fan- she's prepared with the hard hat and tool belt of tools!


Helping Alden with the hat- can you just see the love in their eyes!?!

Thankful

I'm thankful for so much- it's hard to know where to begin!


To start off with, I'm thankful for my amazing family. God has given me an amazing husband who also happens to be a fantastic, hands-on dad. I'm also thankful for my 2 beautiful, life-altering, amazing, spunky children. There was a time I wasn't sure how God was going to fill the desire to have kids He had placed in my heart.... What's funny is that we just made our last payment on my Honda Pilot. When we bought it, we weren't pregnant, but had faith that God would fill the Pilot for us. I remember thinking as we signed all the paperwork, that I wondered where I would be when we made that last payment. Here I am, living in DE with 2 amazing kids! God is certainly good!!


It's not enough to just say you are thankful for something, at least not to me. It's important to SHOW that you are!! Al and I have a running date night- were we model for our kids that we love each other. With that in mind, we are starting up "Mommy/Daddy Dates." These will be happening on a regular basis. We each remember times when we had special one-on-one time with our parents- be it something special like getting icecream or just running errands. During these times, we felt valued and treasured. This is what we want for our kids!! What a great way to start building a relationship that allows the kids to realize that they are valued as an indiviual- and let them know we are thankful for them?!? Now, each of us will take the kids out, one at a time. I took Addie to get her 3rd year pictures taken and to have fun at the mall playground- just us girls. A friend watched Alden. Addie was thrilled- but about 2 hrs into it, she started asking when we would be getting Alden! Al then took her running errands. At the end of the day, she was glowing! When we said our prayers that night, she thanked Jesus for "Date Days"!! Alden got to go grocery shopping with me- I think he enjoyed the fact that he wasn't being "loved" the entire time by Addie...

It's just a start, but it's something that I am thankful for- time to spend one-on-one with the wonderful gifts God has given me!

Christmas Card Picture Adventures

I decided to try to take advantage of all the amazing deals being offered if you ordered your Christmas cards early.... Here are my attempts at getting both kids happy, looking at the camera and having something Christmasy in the background- the adventure. There really weren't too many casualties- just 3 glass balls, thanks to Alden's great throwing arm.... I won't tell you which picture we picked, you'll have to wait until you get yours in the mail!!

TAKE ONE: In the living room- I thought I would take advantage of the olive green wall color!

Seconds after this shot the gold ball in Alden's hands was in a million pieces on the floor. NOTE: Don't give a glass ball to a boy who loves to throw AND then put him on a hardwood floor!

Someday I'll blackmail Addie with this one...

I love the looks on their faces here...

I can't believe you just did that Mom- that's so embarrassing!

TAKE TWO: After naptime, in Addie's room with a blanket draped over her dresser, using natural light- Thanks for the advice, April, my friend who's an amazing photographer!

More glass balls- Alden enjoyed taking off the hooks...

Finally, I'm funny!

Someone thinks something is funny.

Looking at the tree in wonder....

My beautiful girl- I can't believe she's almost 3!

Look what I have, Mom!

Addie's New Bike

Addie got an early birthday gift from her MarMar Young and PopPop Old (my Dad and stepmom)- a Disney Princess Bike! As you can tell from the pictures she LOVES it! I just need her to learn how to peddle it....

All ready to go in her coodinating safety gear!

Supervising Daddy putting it together- notice she's still wearing her safety gear. She actually wore it to dinner that night!

And she's off!!

Addie Funnies

Here are a few of the most recent Addie Funnies.

We were listening to a CD about Noah building the ark. I wondered what she really understood.
Me: Addie, who built the ark?
Addie: Noah and Alden
What? Alden? I then remembered the lyrics: Who built the Ark? Brother Noah built the ark. Brother and Noah are 2 different peoplein her mind, which made her answer make perfect sense!

After getting in trouble:
Addie: Oh Mommy! I sorry! Now you have to pank (spank) me and I ask Jesus to help me.
I'm glad she's getting the point of punishment!

She is determined to potty-train Alden. I'm all for it! Anytime she goes to the bathroom, she drags him with her. Here's the conversation I overheard.
Addie: See, Alden. You just pull your panties down, sit, and the pee just comes out!
Alden: Grrrr, Grrr!
Addie: It's okay, Alden, you'll get it soon 'nough. Then you can get ice cream at Sam's Club, too!
Alden: Ohhhh!
Addie: Yes, I'll make you a pee-pee chart, don't worry.

We've been talking about Christmas and how it's Jesus' birthday.
Me: Why do we have Christmas?
Addie: It's our birthday.
Me: Do you mean Jesus'?
Addie: No- Jesus and I have the same birthday.
Me: Really? When's your birthday?
Addie: December 4th. Jesus and I have the same birthday. I'll share my toys and cake with him. He can get his own ice cream.

So sweet- I can't believe she's growing up so quickly!

Baby Jesus

Yesterday, Addie was playing with her Little People and their various accessories (plane, school bus, playground, etc.). One of her favorite accessories is the stable for the Little People nativity. She was playing nicely, while I worked on making dinner. What happened next is just priceless. I wish I had had my camera- but alas, the battery was charging, upstairs.

Addie: Mommy, look!
I turn to see the stable with Baby Jesus front and center. At least 4 rings of Little People are forming a perfect semi-circle around the front of the stable- all looking at Baby Jesus. There are at least 30 Little People/Little Animals involved- Santa, Fireman, Hawaiian Girl, Noah, Mechanic, Elephant, and Quail are just a few of those present.
Me: Wow! That's a lot of people! What are they doing?
Addie: They singing Happy Birf-day Baby De-zus!
Me: That's neat- but do you think they can all see?
Addie: Huh? Oh, I fix dat!
She then proceeded to line everyone up, in a single-file line, and move them all, one-by-one, past Baby Jesus, and had them all say "Happy Birf-day Baby De-zus!"

So sweet!

An Ode To Oxford

Just about 5 years ago, Al and I adopted a dog from the Palm Beach SPCA, so that our other dog, Kierke, could have a playmate. Oxford, was a small dog- but he kept growing- far surpasing the 30-35lb estimate the SPCA gave us. He topped out at 75lbs, but after his most recent diet, has held steady at 70lbs. He has provided us with excellent protection (his bark has scared away just about every delivery man), many fast walks, and several introductions to perfect strangers (people feel the need to find out what kind of dog he is when we would take him out). He always thought he was a lap dog- and he LOVED to snuggle. We couldn't let him sleep on our bed because he would always inch his way up from the foot of the bed to where he was laying with his head on a pillow, a paw over either Al or myself, snooring. He often acted as if he thought he were a human.

Today, we had to surrender him to the Sussex County SPCA. He has gotten too protective of our kids- I can't answer the door he barks so much. He's been getting snippy with Kierke if she gets too close to "his" kids. What's strange is that when we are not around, our dog-sitters assure us that he isn't aggressive but is a big mush, doing just about anything to be petted! It was with heavy hearts that we (ok, I had Al do it) took him to the Pound today.

It isn't fair to Oxford to live the way he has to right now- in the garage when we have company. I can't even take him on walks he goes too balistic if we see another animal. Hopefully he will find a new family that will be able to play and teach him things we couldn't.

Orginally the SPCA was just going to put him to sleep- and that was almost too much for Al and I to bear. But once Al arrived at the SPCA, they looked at Oxford, played with him a bit, and said that they thought he would be adoptable! As Al was waiting, a guy came in, looking for a dog just like Oxford! Al was even told to fax over Oxford's medical records asap! I can't tell you what that did for my heart-a home for Oxford! He isn't adopted- but they were hopeful. Please pray that someone does adopt him- he has plenty more love in him!

Addie doesn't understand that he isn't coming back. She gave him a big hug as Al was taking him out to the car and said "Bye Oxford! Have fun at the Doctors!" Kierke seems to be thrilled that he's gone. Now if Al and I can get used to the missing "hole" in our family....

A Halloween Weekend of Fun!

We had a jam-packed, friend-filled, candy-brimming, Halloween Weekend! Yes, we had a WHOLE weekend of festivities!

The weekend started off with our friend Anna coming to play Friday morning while her Mommy had an OB appointment. It turns out that Allison (Anna's Mommy) was in labor- yay! Anna napped at our house and then went trick-or-treating with us. Her grandparents arrived just as we were starting the trick-or-treating, so they joined us and had a fantastic time!

While all 3 children (Addie, Alden and Anna) were all napping, our friends from Richmond, the Germains, arrived! They were going to spend the weekend with us! It was pretty crazy having 6 kids total!

After dinner, we got everyone changed into their costumes and hit the streets. The weather was perfect- cool, but not too cold, a slight breeze (which is big around here as it's typically ALWAYS windy!), and there wasn't a cloud in the sky! We had fun canvasing our entire neighborhood which took a whopping 1.5 hrs, and the end result was a boatload of chocolate! Our neighbors, mostly being senior citizen, gave out fistfulls and sometimes baggies FULL of chocolate! Al and I are thrilled!

Once home, we popped the kids in bed- who were all exhausted from all the running! All of the parents (Al, myself, Dana and Amy) dug into the candy, "inspecting" it!

The next day we attended the neighborhood Fall Festival. The kids painted construction paper, had a costume parade, ate lots of yummy treats and had a visit from the local dragon, Harry (the mascot from Harris Teeter). The kids all loved "Harry" except for Addie. She took 1 look at him and started crying and telling him to go home! She finally agreed to have a picture taken with him, as long as all the other kids were with her AND I held her. I do wonder what she's going to think when she goes to Disney World for her 4th birthday....

After all these festivities, we loaded up the cars and headed for the World Championship Punkin' Chunkin'. When we arrived- it took over 1 hr to get there- I found out that it was not "free" as advertised. Everyone was required to buy the ride wrist band- $9 a person! My kids would have been free since they were under 2 (later I found out that under 10 is free, not 2). I only had $14 and the G's had no cash- so we were forced to leave. Next year we will have cash on hand and be better prepared! If it hadn't been in the boonies, we could have gotten cash and gone, but since the nearest ATM was about 45 min away, we went to the local park and let the kids run around and play. I think they enjoyed it more then they would have the Punkin' Chunkin.

During these Saturday Festivities, Al wasn't with us- he had his 1st day at Lowes! It was an orientation (fancy word for paperwork). He did join us Sat evening for a fine dinner of pizza, and more chocolate.

Sunday we all went to church, had lunch together, and then bid the G's farewell. Everyone enjoyed long and refreshing naps that afternoon- but I went to visit the new baby, Madelyn!

It was a long and event-filled weekend. What fun!!

Anna and Addie hugging eachother. Anna isn't sad- I don't know why she looks that way! These 2 are the best of friends- it's so sweet!!

The whole gang ready to go get some candy!

Anna and Addie getting some candy. They were super polite- saying "Treats, PLEASE!" and then picking 1 or 2 pieces carefully. After the candy was safely away, they would chime "Thanks!"

My 2 favorite Cowboys! Alden LOVED walking up and picking his own candy. I have trained him well- he always choose chocolate! About 1/2 through the evening, he started getting annoyed that everything he "got" was put in his bag. To appease him, Al gave him a lollipop- and he LOVED it! We figured it would be easier to get off his clothing then chocolate!!

Our tired-out kids! Don't they look ready for bed! Quick into bed so Mommy and Daddy can raid your candy!!

Showing which color of paint they want to use. I had planned some cute painting crafts- but the kids just wanted to paint on the construction paper. As long as they had fun!!

The kids with "Harry"- notice who's missing?

Playing at Millsboro Park instead of being at the Punkin' Chunkin'= they were building a tower of dirt. Very exciting.

Addie and Nathan enjoying the dirt....

Alden climbing the high slide with Amy- he had to do it since the other big kids were!