Thanksgiving and Smiles

So occasionally we will have a day where we feel like we could turn on the fireplace for a few minutes. They have been rare this "fall," in fact almost nonexistent, but we still pretend every now and then. This was one of those days, and it actually was a tad bit chilly. I find the kids doing this EVERY time we turn it on. They actually lay on the stone with a blanket and pillow...I'm thinking the stone underneath them keeps them cool enough to be able to be that close to the fire...but maybe I'm just hot these day due to maternal baking.

Kaylee is the coloring QUEEN. She is drawing all the time...I mean all the time. She has recently figured out where I keep the computer paper and has been drawing up a storm. The pictures usually involve a boat and some sort of bad guy. She will tell you ALL about it even if you don't think you have time to listen :) Also this is the smile she smiles that is trademark Kaylee. She has so much love in her!

Kaylee again, this time helping Daddy get that stubble off his face. Pretty cute!

Thanksgiving came and went. We bought a probe thermometer, watched Alton Brown several times and brined our turkey this year. You know I consider myself a pretty good cook, but for some reason turkeys have never been my forte! I just can't seem to get them right...I'm even considering trying again. Now, don't get me wrong, the turkey turned out "ok," but it wasn't YUMMY like it was supposed to be...I guess I've got plenty of chances to get it right! Obviously Andy was in on this too, he loves to cook and I love to have his help! Pride beaming :)

For our kid craft after our Thanksgiving Feast we put together some gingerbread houses. The kids had a wonderful time and even ate them within an hour of making them! Ty was the only one that didn't eat his :)

Tyler the Boy Scout

Coming from a family full of girls I have A LOT to learn...about scouts. It's like a foreign language when they talk and I feel so DUMB when I have to ask over and over again what everything means. Anyway, I may be having a hard time understanding the lingo, but Tyler is having a BLAST participating in regular activities every week. He absolutely LOVES being with boys, and really who can blame him. This is going to be a female dominant house (already is...) :)

Andy got called to be a Weeblos assistant (yeah, one of those words I don't understand) and has been including Tyler on some of their adventures. A few weeks ago they went on a hike and Tyler got to come and enjoy the time with his dad and some older kids. They had a blast.

Audrie and Kaylee are supportive of the fun that Tyler gets to participate in, but Audrie does get a bit jealous at times. We went to a Pack Meeting (I think I get that one) and this is what the girls ended up doing to entertain themselves :) Audrie has no fear, albeit the microphone was not on she still sang her heart out.