Thanksgiving 2011

We got to celebrate Thanksgiving twice this year, and I'm pretty sure I haven't eaten that much in a lonnnng time! We started out the day celebrating with Chris' mom's side of the family. Man, those Smither women know how to cook!  After we ate, the kids had a blast playing with their cousins, and the adults enjoyed good conversation over full bellies. Debbie and her sister had a "grandma sleep challenge" while we were there...who could rock/sway/bounce their grandbaby to sleep first. :) Grandma Debbie and Harper blew all competition out of the water - Harper was out cold in just a minute or two. We were so thankful that we were able to get together with this side of the family even though we didn't have Nanny and her house to bring us all together.

Later that afternoon, we headed to Greg and Kerri's house for another amazing meal. Kerri flat knows how to cook, and she puts on some wonderful meals for the family. I'm so thankful for her mad cooking skills! The kids, as always, loved playing with their big cousins. Alyssa is by far Harper's favorite babysitter, and Ethan was Adam's shadow the entire time. Owen is pretty much stuck to Paw Paw most of the time too.

The following day we spent at Paw Paw's, and the boys were in heaven. Owen got to feed all the different animals, collect eggs, and ride tractors and 4-wheelers. He even found some old tractor toys that belonged to Chris and Greg, that when he wasn't outside on the real things, he was inside playing "tractors". Ethan loved playing with all the action figures inside, and playing outside with Adam. I even snuck in the latest Twilight movie with Kerri and Alyssa. Good times!

We have so much to be thankful for this year. 2011 has been full of ups (Harper being born!) and some downs (really good friends dealing with crazy illnesses), but through it all we've been reminded that the Lord sustains us in all things and that He's always good. We feel blessed and rich beyond measure. Thank you, Lord!

7 Months, 8 Months & a Baptism

 So we're doing a little bit of catch-up with poor Harper. The joys of being the 3rd child. She's had a busy last two months. She's mastered sitting up by herself - something she enjoys so much that it kept her up at night thinking about it. (or at least that's what I am blaming her waking up numerous times on!) She loves to clap, watch her brothers play, "dance" to music, and to be talked to. If someone isn't talking to her, she knows how to yell loudly to get attention. She's also finally figured out how to roll back and forth, thankfully. For about 2 weeks, she would get stuck on her belly, wake up and scream. (yes, I haven't been sleeping well these past two months!) She also loves to babble...we're hearing things like "Dadada", "Bub-bub-bub" and "Mama". I am sure she's talking about her family. Oh, and she's finally overcome her tongue thrust and seems to be enjoying eating baby food. She is still not taking any sort of bottle or sippy cup though...

This past weekend we finally got Harper baptized too. My mom made her a beautiful white dress to wear, and I am planning on putting it in a shadow box so Harper can have it as a keepsake. (I LOVE having a daughter!) Harper did wonderful during the baptism and her brothers did too. Thanks to Mimi and Papi for coming to share in the special day!

The LIghting of the Square

My parents try to come every year for the lighting of our downtown square. (Last year we were fighting a stomach bug, so they didn't make it.) BUT this year everyone was healthy and we had a blast hanging out with them. The guys played baseball outside and superheroes inside while my mom and I managed to fit a little bit of shopping in. I think Mimi and Papi read every book we checked out from the library at least 4 times to the boys, and Harper enjoyed being held and wearing Papi's hats. The square lighting was fun - we got to listen to a choir sing and the boys enjoyed dancing. After the lights were turned on, we took my parents to the original 5 & Dime/WalMart museum. I think the highlight for Owen, though, was playing on the construction site on our way back to the car after the night was over! Thanks Mimi and Papi for visiting!

The Nina & The Pinta

This past Monday, we decided last minute to head to Ft Smith to see life sized replicas of the ships The Nina and The Pinta. They travel all over the US every year, so we thought it would be fun to see what the ships that Christopher Columbus sailed on. It was quite the adventure... It took us awhile to get on the road, and about half way there Owen threw up. Had we been by ourselves, we would have turned around and gone home, but it killed me to make the Higley girls miss out. So after a lot of cleaning and much debate, we decided he had just been car sick and we headed on South. His clothes were covered, so we had to hit a WalMart before we went to the ships. I ended up carrying Owen into the store with just his diaper on, buying clothes, air freshner and Lysol. Good times. After he changed, we headed to the ships. We managed to catch a tour, and that helped keep the kids interested. (The people giving the tours actually live on the ships and sail them from place to place on the tour.) After about 30 minutes, we were done, so we stopped at a local burger joint for lunch. It was not fast food by any means, but it was good and the kids had fun talking about the ships. We ended up getting home 3 hours than we'd initially planned, and poor Elli's car seat will never be the same, thanks to Owen...but we made some memories!

I'm a Sucker

I came downstairs one afternoon after putting Harper and Owen down for nap to hear a faint meowing sound. And then I saw a grey streak in the living room with Ethan following behind laughing. (mind you, we do not own an animal of any sort) It never crossed my mind to clarify that we do not let animals into the house, but apparently I should have because Ethan was playing with a stray cat in my living room! I couldn't decide if I was grossed out or thought it was sweet. A little startled I reprimanded Ethan and told him to get the cat outside. He burst into tears, sobbing, "The cat is my best friend! He will be sad and lonely outside without me!" And my heart melted. A little. Next thing I know we're giving the cat a bowl full of milk and some extra lunch meat. I try to justify the treat by telling myself that the cat WON'T poop in our sandbox and he'll catch lots of mice as a "thank you" for the food. Regardless, that cat has become a permanent fixture in our backyard. I guess as long as he stays out there...

Halloween 2011

It was another fun Halloween as we celebrated with our neighborhood and a few friends again. We grilled out hotdogs, ate lots of candy, and had fun watching all the kids run around together in their costumes. Ethan started out the night as Captain America and closed it down with War Machine. Owen was Bob the Builder, and Harper was a cute lady bug. Owen wasn't overly happy most of the evening b/c he didn't like his overalls, but once he realized exactly what Trick or Treating consisted of (getting candy) Halloween became his favorite holiday!