Dec 1st

Ever since Thanksgiving ended we've had 3 little ones itching to decorate. So I told them we would bust everything out Dec 1st, and we sure did. Lights, advent calendars, nativitys (window stick one included), mini Christmas tree, old Christmas cards; we are having fun!

"WE WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS"

PINK EYE SUCKS

It has been so long since we have been all well and I think we have a ways to go. First colds and such swept through us and now we're battling pink eye. Connor got it first and at first kinda liked the break from school. But as you can see after 4 days out he was more than ready to get back and see his friends and get off his "sick spot" on the couch.

Bella of course got it the next week and had such a harder time with eye medication so it took a bit longer and she was far from happy about missing school. She loves school. 

So I dug up a workbook (one of her favorite hobbies) and this one with the stickers seriously was the best thing ever for her she loved every minute and could do most independently. Now I want to get another one just for sick days.

Now of course it's my turn. Oh joy. 

Bonding

Daddy and Piper have had a rough start. Piper was a very good nurser and took to the Mommy Baby bond really well and got Mommyish earlier than any of our other kids. She has never been a snuggler and even though Daddy has fed her bottles, changed her diapers and gotten up countless nights with her in attempts to soothe her; Daddy has felt a little sad that Piper and and him haven't really found their groove yet. It has been very important to Daddy that he be really involved in their little lives. Daddy has been gone the most with Piper and has worked many days where Piper woke after he left and went to sleep many times before he came home. So since she wouldn't see Daddy for days, some times she would act so distant with him, it hurt Daddy a little and he really struggled with her Mommyish moods. Honestly they still played and he could get her to laugh and smile all the time and he loved watching each new stage and is her biggest cheerleader. But he can't help but compare her to the other kids who he had a lot more time with at this age, so it has been a bit of an inner battle for Daddy.
Finally though Daddy has declared they are bonding! She has started to get a bit more cuddly and has started to get a bit more playful, so that she is interested in playing with Daddy. Daddy finds all her most ticklish spots and gets the best giggles. They love to grunt back to eachother, or hum sometimes.
This sweet encounter shows how anti-cuddly she is, since we are so shocked by it. But when she is cuddly or rests her head on our shoulder it makes the moment all the sweeter and we just want it to last forever, especially Shea!

"Quick Kay-Marie take a picture
she is actually leaning her head on me."

"Oh, you stinker! That was only 2 seconds." 

"Now I'm gonna getcha!"

Thanksgiving Feasting

Most grateful for Him.

This year Bella decorated for us. Thanks PREK she had quite the spread!

I think Connor and Syd had one thing thrown in too.

Our Thanksgiving began months ago when we invited my Wheatley Cousins to Thanksgiving and Josh and his Family were excited to join us. I am so grateful for my family and was excited to see them and catch up, we missed having Tara and her family too though. 

So us Martin's and Stanger's got busy planning, shopping and prepping. 

The day before we really started in on it all. I am so grateful for all our happy helpers that I could never do anything without. 

Shea was super excited to make his Mom's rolls this year and I seriously worried that it would totally fail right before but after making dough, waiting for it to rise, fridgerating it a couple days, rolling it out, shaping it, and waiting for it to rise, and then finally baking them all; I was in complete and utter awe. He totally came through and they were perfect and I should never hae doubted him, he is seriously amazing and continues to surprise me. 

And the night before they were filling our home with the scent of homemade roll goodness. 

That day was a blur. with busy cook prep and lots of cleaning and early guests :)

Of course Bella was soon worn out with it all and the excitement just flooded with her so much enthusiasium it was just plan exhausting.

Of course our favorite parts of the day were the Thanksgiving parade, lots of yummy food, happy second cousins meeting and greeting and playing and having just the BEST time ever. Josh was a hige hit with the kids and many thanks to the TURKEY, PIES and lots of other food that everyone brought it was DELISH! (Of course I was stressed out and I let it get to my head and a Migraine set in, so yay for me.)

The yummy pies, chocolate chip cupcakes, and hot cocoa made a great end to the night; especially for this hot chocolate lover!

Thanks all. For a Thanksgiving to remember.

And thank you family, big and small. I am a lucky Mama, Wife, Daughter, Sister, and Cousin!

I am seriously blessed!

Family Picture that was never taken...

Inserted here :)