November 21 - 25, 2010
Thanksgiving

Gabrielle had the annual 1st Grade Thanksgiving Program at school this week. The sang some silly songs, did a great job and then got to share in a Thanksgiving feast with their friends.

Holidays are always a good opportunity to take some pictures of the kids when they are cleaned up for church and family events. Some are better than others, but between Sunday after church and Thanksgiving day we managed to catch a few smiles.

Even had the opportunity to hand the camera over to my dad
to get a family picture for a change.

What's Thanksgiving without the wishbone?

Thanksgiving afternoon Melissa and Micah stopped over at my mom's home for a short visit.
A cute group out young ladies wouldn't you say?

November 19-20, 2010
Last Trip out with the Trailer for 2010

It was forecasted to be a dry but chilly weekend. The boys wanted to go camping, the girls wanted to stay home and go to a rollerskating party on Saturday. So - we split up for Friday night. Boys weekend camping and a girls weekend at home. The pictures I have to share are only from the boys perspective, because Paul had the camera with him.

We decided that this special weekend was a special case, and took Nicholas out of school for the day on Friday. Paul, Nicholas and Sam hit the road fairly early in the morning and spent much of the day up at Ludington State Park. Apparently, the wind was something else and literally knocked Sam off his feet down by the beach. The wind wasn't nearly so bad up at the campsite and they had a lot of fun together.

Paul had packed a rake and made a great leaf pile for the boys to jump in.

There was some bike riding....

....and of course some playing on the playground.

While the boys were away, I tried to make a special girls night too. I surprised the girls by picking them up at school, instead of them riding the bus. We then headed to the movie store to pick out a movie, stopped by Hobby Lobby to purchase a special craft and then had a great dinner out together. We then headed home for our craft and movie night. Saturday morning we vegged around the house, did another craft and spent the afternoon at the roller skating rink.

A great weekend was had by all, but sadly, the trailer has now been put away until spring.
May it come quickly.

November 6-7, 2010
Gabrielle's Birthday Celebration

Preparing for her party with Grandma, Grandpa and her aunts and uncles, we spent much of the day making her special cake. Her theme this year was princess glam and fancy things like make-up, etc.

Following with the theme of the party, she received a purse from us, a wallet from Uncle Cory and Aunt Catherine and lip gloss, lotions and other goodies from Uncle Shawn and Aunt Erin
and all of her cousins, of course.

She got a jewelry box and make you own necklace kit, as well a fashion design set from Grandma and Grandpa.

All of the kids playing tug of war again Grandma brought many laughs.

November 7, 2010 - Her Golden Birthday
7 on the 7th.

She was so excited to receive a dolphin Pillow Pet that she threw herself and the ground and started rolling around with it.

We also made a trip to Toys R Us for her to spend her birthday money from Uncle Bob and Grandma and Grandpa Van Wesep that she got in the mail. She picked out this Barbie Guitar - complete with headphones and microphone.