Happy Thanksgiving

Another great Thanksgiving at the Lerdal's! Good food, great company and fun times.

The kids had fun playing with cousins, and piling on Scott.

The 3 little girls crawling around.

The boys had fun bumping down the steps.

Hudson and Marketa hanging out.

Cuddle time with Great Aunt Debbie.

Maddox and Beckett found a new friend in Great Uncle Don.

We have so much to be thankful for every day. God has blessed us with great friends and family. We love being able to spend time with them.

The kids did great. Marketa even took a nap while we ate and once the boys warmed up, they had fun running around and entertaining. I think the lack of sleep and a little sugar helped. Looking forward to more good times with the family.

Bad hair day

I fear Marketa may be cursed with her parents' thin, fine hair. It makes for some interesting looks when she wakes up in the morning, especially since it's so short still and won't lay down very well. On this particular day, Scott decided that she had 'Nick Nolte' hair. Sorry girl.

Precious

This is how Scott found the boys the other night when he went to check on them.

Isn't that just precious--Maddox with his arm over Beckett. They love to cuddle, or 'cuggle', as they say.

I love this one too...Scott and Maddox just having a little chat.

Family

I love Thanksgiving...mostly because of family. We'll spend Thanksgiving day with some extended family (at the Lerdal's) and I'm really looking forward to that.

Today we had a quick gathering at dad's house so we could get a picture and have everyone together. It was a little chaotic with all those little ones running around, but fun, none the less. I can't believe we actually got some decent pictures too. With 10 kids under 10 and almost everyone looking at the camera! Amazing! Of course, all of mine have their fingers in their mouths. Oh well. Not surprising.

Seven of the bigger kids eating lunch together. I think Hudson was pretty excited to see all of his cousins. They had a blast running around Grandpa's house.

Thanks Jake and Stacie, for making the trip out. I know it was rough at times, but we all appreciate it. We love having you back home, even if it is for a quick trip. Praying the ride home is a little easier. Love you!

Chic drummers rule!

Well, if Maddox and Beckett don't want to be drummers someday, Scott may still get his wish of having a drummer in the family. We'll see how this pans out. Maybe Marketa will help daddy's dream come true.

Making cappuccino

This is a game we play lately...making cappuccino.

Maddox thought Marketa might like some.

I think that's an extra large...hope she's not up all night.

More knitted goods

I've been working on Christmas gifts for a few months now, mostly for my nieces. I am just about done...just a few finishing touches on some other pieces and I need to sew together the stuffed monkey and stuffed dinosaur for my kids. If I have time, I'll try to figure out something for my nephew and maybe do another stuffed animal for the boys.

These balls are great for little ones...easy to pick grasp in little hands and soft when they hit you in the head.

Some little handbags.

Maddox was such a great model for all of these scarves.

Speaking of hats

Notice anything funny about that hat on Beckett's head?

Yep, it's pink and it's a little too small. That would be because he grabbed Marketa's hat instead of his. He was so excited about going outside to play with his dump truck that he didn't look at the hat before he put it on. Just grabbed one and ran out the door. I didn't notice until I looked outside. I just busted out laughing and grabbed the camera.

That looks a little better--a jacket and a hat that covers the ears. It's getting chilly outside!!

The little angels watching daddy move vehicles when he got home from work--one of our favorite parts of the day.

Hats, hats and more hats

I almost always have a hat going on knitting needles, thus I have a stock pile of baby and toddler hats. Here is a sampling of some toddler hats--Marketa was gracious enough to model them for me. If you know anyone who could use a toddler hat and you like any of these, email me for pricing info (isubuzz at hotmail dot com). I've also got some newborn hats, but do not have a model for those at the moment. Baby hats knit up quick and I've got some different yarn on hand, so if you want something specific, just email me and I'll see what I can do.

Decorating on the cheap

I had a little project that I thought the boys would love helping me with. I think they were a little groggy from their nap still so it didn't go over as well as I thought, for Maddox anyways. Beckett was getting into for a bit.

We were picking berries off the tree and putting them in some dishes with candles to decorate the table...pretty cheap since we had everything already. Just had to put it together.

Maddox and Marketa supervised while Beckett and I picked the berries.

After a few minutes we went for a walk to go watch the dump truck and 'tractors' do their work down the street. I ended up finishing the project myself. Oh well.

Waiting for daddy

Sometimes the afternoons drag on, waiting for daddy to get home. Luckily it's been nice out lately so we've been able to get outside and play for a distraction.

Beckett just loves filling up his dump truck and dumping it out.

Maddox, trying to get his pinwheel to catch some wind.

Marketa tried out one of the big kids toys...I think she likes it.

Work day

Today was a work day for the boys. Grandma Bonnie kept them busy at her place, raking leaves. Scott, Marketa and I helped for a little bit. Josh and the 4 girls showed up in time for lunch and then we took Marketa home for a nap. Maddox and Beckett got to stay until dinnertime. We have never intentionally skipped nap time until today. It worked out ok. They played (I mean, worked) just fine out there and were in good moods most of the evening. Now it's bath time and I think Beckett is ready for bed. He's getting a little whiney.

Maddox, helping daddy put leaves in the fire.

Both got to go for rides on the mower with Grandma to collect leaves.

Beckett riding the little tractor.

It was a fun day for all, but I'm glad it's almost bedtime for the kids.