11/21-11/27/2010

IT'S THANKSGIVING WEEK!!!!

Thanksgiving is my all time favorite holiday because it doesn't have anything to do with presents it just means family.  So, with that said, it's Thanksgiving this week and having family be so far away from us is kinda sad and it's putting me in a slight funk.  BUT, Uncle Sean is coming to visit and that for sure helps with the no family thing because, well, to us, he is family!

We started the week off with watching Chantz receive a scholar-athlete award!  This kid is bringin' it!  I hope I can continue to write and write and write about him being a rock star for years to come.  Sorry if you get sick of it but what else do we really live for as parent's?  I live to be proud of my kids, don't you?

 THEY'RE ALWAYS WATCHING!  If you ever truly believe that you are alone chances are you're not.  Somewhere, someplace, little eyes are watching or little ears are hearing.  There are some days that I just can't wait for days of silence until I realize that after my kids are older and gone all there may be are days of silence.  Sure, there are days were I'm oh so close to putting my children up for sale on craigslist but really deep down I wouldn't have it any other way!  Here's my one that is always watching, the other is the one that is always listening!  I'm screwed!

The day Chantz accepted his scholar-athlete award was the same day as the play-offs.  Watch out Tom Brady, Chantz does not like to be defeated!  Since his team didn't make the play-offs he wasn't on the 'right' side of the fence.  But Chantz, I said, 'You ARE on the right side of the fence.  You're the one holding that outstanding badge of honor and with that AND great sport abilities you're gonna go places!'  And baby, I can't wait to see those places you're gonna go! 

On Monday Sutton had his little Thanksgiving/Fall recital.  Oh my, I love this age.  When they're so excited to show you their performance but they don't really sing. HA  LOVE IT!  Guess who led his class in...that's right, Mr. Sutton.  The teachers say he always jumps right up to be first in line and he marches right down with a big ole' smile on his face. But, once he scopes you out he absolutely has to make a point to wave and say hi!  Chantz would be hiding in the middle of the pack somewhere working really hard not to make eye contact with anyone hoping it would be over before it even began.

YUM!  This was the first Thanksgiving dinner that I ever cooked.  Who cares if my turkey wasn't completely thawed and I cooked it with the bag in it, it was DELISH!  Also on the menu at the Powers house this year was Creamed Cheese Mashed Potatoes, Butternut Squash-Apple-Cranberry Bake, Apple Stuffing,  Fruit Custard Salad, Homemade Cranberry Sauce, Salad & Sean's Famous Sweet Potato Pie (Remember my heaven? This will be served)!  Oh my...

 Welcome to picture time.  This is as good as it gets! 

Thanksgiving 2010

Oh boy, if you eat cranberry sauce out of a can I HIGHLY suggest you make it fresh.  HEAVEN!  (Side note is that I hate cranberry out of a can!)

After dinner us adults grabbed our wine glasses, started a fire and played a game of Junior Monopoly.  It was the most perfect way to end our Holiday night.

 And yes, I have started getting ready for Christmas.  Most of the gifts have been bought long ago and the rest will be purchased and sent out shortly.  I love this season and every year I find myself starting earlier and earlier to prepare for it. Not only does it reduce the Holiday stress by, I don't know, 100% but it gives me that extra wanted time to make things extra special with my family.  The Christmas music comes on tomorrow!  Can't wait!

We ended the week by doing a mini family photo session with my friend Melanie for our Christmas cards.  One of my faves is in my header now.  Here's another....