More catchup

This past month has been a crazy one. I know I use that excuse every month, but it doesn't change the fact that it's the truth. This might be a little on the longs side, so brace yourself!

We'll start with Thanksgiving. We had some dear friends of ours, the Giddens, come and stay the weekend from Atlanta. They came in Wed, and I had to work wed night. Thursday I spent all day in the kitchen. This is our first time ever "hosting" thanksgiving, and I think it might be a few years before I do that again -- it was exhausting! So, if anyone is looking for visitors next thanksgiving, count us in :). And mom, I have yet another newfound appreciation for you. I worked friday morning (yes, black friday) and got off at 2. We then got in the car and drove off to Nauvoo, IL. For those of you who aren't familiar with Nauvoo, it is a city that was founded by early memebers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and contains a lot of history of our church. They recently "rebuilt" the temple that was burned down long ago. So we spent the night in Nauvoo -- thanks Motel Nauvoo for the warm welcome -- and did some sight seeing the next day. I had to work that night so I left early and left Ryan and the girls with the Giddens and they had a blast with more sight seeing! Here are just a few pictures from the weekend (unfortunately we only have pics from our trip to Nauvoo, but since the food was subpar that was the highlight of the weekend).







Making rope

Making horse shoes

Making wagon wheels

Making candles

This last one is my favorite of the whole trip. I can't tell you enough how much I LOVE to see my girls love on eachother, and this one of them holding hands melts my heart everytime I look at it. How did I ever get so lucky?! The view with the Missipssippi River in the backround isn't too bad either.


These next pictures are from decorating the tree. Aubrey insisted on wearing her hat.


One lucky branch got spoiled (I think they got 12 on there before they started falling off).

If you could see our tree now you'd see a pretty bare bottom third. After close to half a dozen broken ornaments we moved them out of Eva's reach. She doesn't quite understand that you shouldn't warm up your throwing arm with ornaments from the tree.

My final topic of today. Craigslist. I am addicted. I buy. I sell. I browse. I thought about having a yard sale but decided it was too much work so I have been selling like crazy. This past month we've sold
wooden storage chest: $50
wedding cloak: $100
punching bag and gloves: $50
bunk beds (parts missing): $75
tires: $125
double jogging stroller: $180
I know there's more but at the moment they escape my mind (I'm busy wondering what finds I will see today)
This past month we've bought:
Ariel vanity (all pieces still included) for $15
Step 2 car (like little tikes cozy coupe) in awesome condition: $20
And lastly, my favorite...we had one of these growing up and I have been looking EVERYWHERE for an inexpensive one. I found this little gem (with minor sunfading and a little dirt) for only $50. And my girls are in heaven, which means I'm in heaven, which means Ryan is in heaven.






Craigslist, I love you. Thanks for making my life easier, and my girls happier.

I know I said that was it, but one more thing. Yesterday Ryan was making me dinner for my birthday and burned his hand. Bad. We're talking blistering 2nd degree burns. He went to Urgent care last night and they gave him some special ointment, vicatin, and lots and lots of gauze (he has to wrap his entire hand for at least a week I think). What a sweetheart. Dinner was fabulous, and I just hate that he had to leave town this morning. I love you Ryan. You make my life better. You make me better.