Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving this year, Ryan's parents went to Texas, and my family was here, so it was really nice to not have to split our time or choose which family to go with. Even though we didn't have anyone in town, it was still a fantastic Thanksgiving dinner with family that we love! My mom made a fabulous turkey, we had a pie per person, turkey, potatoes and all the traditional fixings. 

The Farnsworth's were trying to get a nice family picture, and Livy didn't want to be left out, so she moved her way right on in the middle of the picture. I love how her hand is even on David's leg. She keeps up laughing. 

It was a getting a little chilly and dark, but the boys were able to put in a few passes. The girls even wanted to take a turn. 

Then while the boys watched football, the girl made candy countdown chains to Christmas, and made necklaces. 

Then Livy chose to do the Disney puzzle, of course. She is beyond obsessed with Disney characters. But she soon lost interest once we found all of the faces and went to watch "Punzle" with Addie on Mimi's iPad. 

Puzzle complete, 3 slices of pie, and a tired baby later we called our Thanksgiving day a definite success. 

Happy Birthday to my Honey

Today is my hubby's birthday. He is a turning the big ole' 28! He is the best husband and daddy in the world. With Thanksgiving always falling on or around his birthday it seems like we're always just eating for his birthday, but let's be honest, that is the best way to celebrate. 

Ryan is: he is super handsome/sexy/fine, so incredible smart, on a whole different spiritual wavelength as most people, so ambitious, such a hard worker, so kind, thoughtful, helpful (I mean dishes, laundry, he just does what he sees needs to be done and does it), he loves to have fun and laugh, he loves to shop (which makes shopping a whole lot more fun for me too!), he takes care of himself (wakes up at awful hours of morning to work out), he loves to eat, he loves to eat most of my food, and I am so lucky to have him as my husband and best friend. 

I love you honey. Happy birthday! Loves!

Cozy Livy

Livy just got some new winter clothes, and she was just looking too cute I had to take some pictures. She has been so funny with our little photo shoots. She then decided she wanted to take off her vest and take a few pictures with her blankie. We think she's pretty cute. 

Water

A new favorite past time is water. She loves to play in the tub, but we can't just camp out in the bathroom all day. So Livy props up a chair by the sink, and pours water from bowl, to bowl, to cup, to spoon, to bowl. She gets about 80% of the water inside, a lot goes on the floor, but we just lay out a big beach towel and she's as happy as can be for up to an hour. I love this girl. 

Her final product, I laughed so hard when I found her little tilted tower. 

Kissing

This girl is obsessed with kissing. I would be worried, but she's 2. She always asks, "Mommy daddy kiss. Mommy kiss Livy. Livy kiss daddy....". She makes all of her stuffed animals, really all of her toys kiss. Sometimes books kiss. Sometimes if we ask her for a kiss she'll just put her head down letting you know she just wants a kiss on her forehead. 

Last week our neighbors the Durrants came and had a sleepover because both of our husbands were out of town for work. This is Livy and Tate giving goodnight kisses. I love everything about this picture. 

Until Tomorrow

This morning I was overwhelmed with gratitude. I have a wonderful husband who is kind, caring, thoughtful, loving, ambitious, and the worlds best dad. Then I have a beautiful, smart, funny, and crazy little two-year old daughter. I love them both so much. I am so grateful for this phase of life. Life is constantly changing. There are pleasant surprises, there are unpleasant surprises. There are things we are working towards, and there are thing we wish we could change about the past. 

But one thing that no one can take from me is the happiness I have, right now. The gratitude for our family, friends, our home, and the gospel in our lives. I love hanging out with Livy all day. I love eating toast and cereal in the morning, going to the gym, making lunch, having naptime, running errands, making dinner, bath time and playing with dad. 

I am excited for what our life has in store for us. I anticipate and welcome change. But right now, I love that I'm not running to soccer practices, parent teacher conferences, piano lessons, and the many crazy happenings of a busy mom. That day will come, and I'm excited for that busy life. But I am soaking in these days that we have one by one. The days we have to just go for a walk, go to the park, the zoo, lay in bed and watch a movie, and take our time doing it. 

Don't get me wrong, we have our trials, temptations, cries, yells, and tantrums, but I love it. I love that we're a real family, that love each other but sometimes don't like each other. At the end of the day we still read stories together, pray together and give hugs and kisses. So until tomorrow, I'm going to enjoy today. 

Petting Zoo with the Cousins

Livy's cousins Grace, Vivian and Sam are in town for the weekend staying with Grammy. We were excited to go to the petting zoo with them today. Grace is the oldest, and she loves taking care of Livy, she is like another mother to her. 

All of the big kids got to go for a pony ride, and Livy was just fine with that. She likes to look at them, but she did not want anything to do with them. Grace, Viv and Sam sure had fun though!

A little wagon ride. It was such a beautiful fall day, we had such a blast with the cousins.