We always have many reasons to be thankful, but in this season we are reminded to be even more aware. We are thankful to have two happy, healthy kiddos who entertain us to no end. We are thankful that Makenna has begun walking (as of YESTERDAY) and is evidence of God's healing hand (thank you, again, to those of you who faithfully prayed for her). We are thankful for Matt's job which allows me to be home caring for our kiddos. We are thankful for our church, for our friends, for our neighbors, for our home...so many reasons to be thankful.
This day, Mattaya not only colored very well but also CLEANED UP by herself with no prompting. :)
First Ramen Noodles
Makenna loves to brush her teeth!
All 2 of them. :)
Here comes Big Sister vying for the limelight. ;)
Mattaya set this up and asked me to take a picture of her with her "friends". Pretty sure we need to get out more!
A week before Thanksgiving, Matt's squadron had a Thanksgiving Feed. There was a commander's call immediately before, and Matt was given an AWARD. He gets all sheepish and says it's nothing, but I was really proud of him. :)
If I had a scanner, I'd show you. But for those of you who are interested, this is what it says:
This is to certify that The Air Force Commendation Medal (first oak leaf cluster) has been awarded to Staff Sergeant Matthew J. ____ for meritorious service 3 March 2007 to 1 October 2010.
Staff Sergeant Matthew J. ___ distinguished himself by meritorious service while assigned to the 91st Maintenance Group, 91st Missile Wing, ____ Base, __. During the period, Sergeant Carr's exceptional technical abilities and vast systems knowledge were pivotal to multiple group successes. As the lone Missile Handling Section trainer, he devoted 400 hours increasing section qualifications by 25% and spent 225 hours monitoring $18 million missile downstages supporting Emergency War Order requirements. As a Missile Handling Section Evaluator, Sergeant Carr performed 171 evaluations and inspections while overseeing the completion of the $2.4 billion Propulsion Replacement Program. Furthermore, during the 2008 Twentieth Air Force Combat Capability Evaluation, he earned a "Satisfactory" grade, vital to Quality Assurance's overall "Excellent" rating. Finally, he examined 2,000 Tools, Test, Tie down and Handling Equipment items which secured an "Excellent" rating during the Air Force Space Command Nuclear Surety Inspection and also led Quality Assurance to honors as the 91st Maintenance Group's "Work Center of the Year" for 2009. The distinctive accomplishments of Sergeant ____ reflect credit upon himself and the United State Air Force.
So proud of my man!
And this was his shop receiving their award.
Before heading out for a night of bowling, I showed the guys the youtube video of "asian woman folding t-shirt". They were enthralled and set to learning her tricks.
Micah did not respond kindly to my heckling. ;)
So they made me try [to shut me up].
I did okay. Not perfect. I'm no "asian lady folding t-shirt".
Trevor and Micah playing a rousing game of "hug the pole" at the bowling alley.
Thanks for the sweater, Auntie Marlys!
Thanks for the coat, Ingrid and Ilsa!
"Where are the fingers? I can't walk without the fingers."
Mattaya was "getting down with her bad self" before Sunday school.
I thought it was kind of funny that Big Sister thought she needed to imitate Little Sister.
Makenna liked her introduction to Gramma Pam's cavatini recipe!
Taking a break from "washing dishes" to come tickle Mommy. ;)
I came downstairs from putting Makenna down for her morning nap to find this. Mattaya quickly shushed me...
...because she had put all her "children" to sleep (under the rug).
This was Mattaya's first time meeting Miss Nicole. She quickly renamed her "Mrs. NICKole".
When she runs out of things to do, she's happy to play with soap and water in the kitchen sink.
Mr. Moka was over making some DELICIOUS cookies...
...which he SHARED!
It was a ginger-snappy molasses cookie, and Makenna LIKED it.
"coco coco"
This is her request for TICKLE TICKLE.
Mattaya plopped down in the chair with pen and pad and started scribbling "5 more friends *mumble, mumble* hahahahahahahaha". Matt and I just laughed hysterically.
Whose eyes are they? Do you know?
Makenna: "Seriously, who uses a 35mm anymore?"
First cinnamon roll
Mesmerized by the sugary frosting on top.
Thanksgiving dessert: pie!
We hosted Thanksgiving for the first time this year. Mom helped significantly with the meal, and it all came off beautifully! So yummy.
Mattaya chose french silk as her pie. I'm sure it had everything to do with the CHOCOLATE covered in WHIPPED CREAM. ;)
Reading books with Grampa Dave.
Checking out the Black Friday ads with Gramma Julie and Daddy.
(We had set up tables in the play room and office so we could use the dining room table as a buffet.)
The "lish".
Mattaya is a puppy, and I am walking her with a LEASH.
Trying on Grampa's crocs.
No joke, Matt went out to the playroom to find Makenna sitting on the Clipo Table filling her diaper!
The day after Thanksgiving we enjoyed a relaxing day at home and set up the Christmas tree. This wasn't Makenna's first Christmas, but she was only a couple months last year so it's LIKE her first Christmas. ;)
She's been really good! No tree or ornament incidents so far. :)
We let Mattaya hang all the unbreakable ornaments however she wanted.
Here's the left side of the tree.
And here's the right side. :)
Hanging a new ornament from Auntie Cindy and Uncle Larry.
Just checking it out.
We wouldn't want there to be no ornaments on the BACK of the tree!
"Oh wow"
One of her favorite expressions. :) Makenna received an ornament that matched Mattaya's.
Mattaya set up this "tea party" with her "friends" before sitting up to breakfast.
Later I found a vacuum attachment and a headband "decorating" the tree.
"Try this on, try this on!", he said.
Do you not have bristle blocks and baby toys all over YOUR Christmas tree?
