The Zoo

We went to the zoo with Seth's family. There were fourteen of us.

Not even all of the cousins in this picture. Luckily it was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving so we pretty much had the run of the place. It was awesome.

Apparently the animals thought so too because they were very active and loud. This guy hung out by the window with us for a while.

The kids loved it.

This guy hung out with us for a while too.

Elephants!

All right, I've run out ideas for captions, so the rest of these, you'll be spared.

I love living close to family and I love that my girls love their cousins. We had a great time!

Five on Friday

1. Tessa and Hailey both insist on giving Seth and I five kisses before bedtime. Right cheek, left cheek, forehead, nose, lips. If they can't do the whole routine in the exact same order, they have to start over. They cannot go to sleep until it has been done. It is (like most things they do) adorable and annoying at the same time.

2. My Christmas shopping is DONE and I am ECSTATIC. I just have to drop off some packages at the Post Office, and then I refuse to set foot in public until the new year. Christmas crowds are my absolute worst nightmare.

3. The building they have been constructing on the road to Tessa's school finally put their sign up and it is ANOTHER Walmart. This now makes FOUR Walmarts, all of which are within 20 minutes driving distance of my house. Four! It's ridiculous and I've been ranting about it all week.

4. Tessa and Hailey have become obsessed with the phrase "See ya, wouldn't want to be ya." Before every nap time, whenever I drop Tessa off at school, when Seth leaves for work, at night when they should be saying goodnight or I love you, instead it's "See ya, wouldn't want to be ya".  (Actually, in truth half the time they say "See ya later, wouldn't want to be ya". They don't quite get the rhyme yet.)

5. Ugh the cold. It's barely dipped into the 40s and 50s and I'm already hating life. I tell Seth every year that I will not be warm again until April. Winter, you are the worst.

I'm not sure what I like more about this picture: Tessa chowing down a handful of french fries or Hailey's big cheesy grin.

A Thanksgiving Post

Better late than never, right?
We spent Thanksgiving with the Winsors, and it was awesome.

There were a total of seven grandchildren running amuck in the house.

Not to mention all the aunts and uncles and grandparents who would read to them whenever they wanted!

Here is T doling out some Vanilla Wafers from the box she stole off the counter. Hailey and Anson were much obliged.

Hannah wore herself out and fell asleep when I tried to read a book to her and it was the best. I wish my girls did this.

We stayed an extra day so Seth could help out with some furniture moving and yardwork. The girls enjoyed "driving" the tractor.

We also had a bonfire.

Which is where I discovered Tessa and I are great at selfies.

So between the eating so much I couldn't move, and the kids having constant entertainment and of course the pie, it was a great Thanksgiving!