Christmas is here!

This year the Christmas Bugs of the family (Ryan and Gracie) won out and we've decorated for Christmas a week and a half before Thanksgiving. It almost feels wrong, but only for a second. We're still thankful for so many things this year, putting up the tree doesn't change that. We're just all about baby Jesus and Mary and Joseph right now!  I must admit we're having a bit of an identity crisis... a week and a half before Thanksgiving we have our Christmas decorations up and I'm pretty sure Gracie's wearing Valentine's Day socks. So, welcome to the Weaver house!  For all the family coming over for Thanksgiving, I promise we'll still have turkey and football, but my apologies if our excitement about Christmas makes you feel less thankful. 

We worked most of the day on Saturday to expand our village table. This is the result. It's one of my favorite decorations.  

Winter is Coming!

We had to pull out the winter coats this week!  These two look pretty cute all bundled up for school!

October Fun!

We've had plenty of fall fun over the past couple of weeks.  Aside from trying some new sweet bread recipes... a few including pumpkin... we've enjoyed some of our classic October traditions, as well.

October began with the Gladfest Parade in Gladstone.  Stephanie and I have been in attendance for over a decade now.  It always reminds me of the chilly mornings up ahead.  This year we met up at the parade route with our families and Grandma.  The bands and dancers kept the kids' interest... the candy was a highlight, too!  Kyle brought a trash bag to collect his candy in.  I love that kid!

We made our annual October camping trip over Columbus Day weekend.  It was a 4 day trip of relaxation and rain.  The weather wasn't the most cooperative, but when we're at the lake, almost nothing can dampen our fun!  We listened to 2 Royals games on the radio around the campfire with Brandi, Chad, Annabelle, Grandma Sandy, and Uncle Jay.  It pretty much felt like 1947... baseball on the radio.  It also reminded me of my dad listening to WHB.  Fun!  Almost as fun as watching the Royals on TV.  Almost.

We also made it to Worlds of Fun a couple of times during October.  Our favorite ride, The Viking Voyager, does not run after Labor Day, but all the other rides were up and running!  We did the trick-or-treat village a few times and got a few annoying fun whistles from our adventures there!  My sweet Mom has already renewed our season passes for next year! We're so thankful she does this for us.  Between Worlds and Oceans, we definitely get good use of the passes.  It's such a great time with our little family and with the extended family and friends.

Natalie cries before every ride starts,
but then she smiles during the ride!

 

I had to bribe her,
but she rode it and liked it.  Kind of?!

We ran into Bekah from Preschool so we rode the bus together!

We also tried out a new patch in Kearney with a bunch of our family.  Steph and her family, Grandma Sevedge, Brandi and her family, Grandma Tena, and Grandma Sandy (Chad's mom) all met up for a few hours of fun.  It wasn't your typical fall day.  It was pretty hot, actually.  The Fun Farm pumpkin patch had lots of cool activities, but one of our favorites was the corn pit.  It's like a sandbox, only cleaner.  We had a great time exploring a new patch and just being together!

Gracie also took her first field trip to the Pumpkins Etc pumpkin patch.  Steph and I were able to attend, which was a special treat for all 4 of us girls.  The kids got to pick pumpkins and learn about all types of gourds. Mrs. Greene had mentioned that the barn houses a few animals, like cats and mice.  The thought of mice living in the barn stuck with Gracie because when all the kids were asked to sit and listen to the farm-lady talk, Gracie would not sit on the floor.  It was funny!  Reminded me of her Aunt Steph!  Gracie knows what mice do... eat pacifiers!  Kia's only comment was about the yellow barn.  "Barns are supposed to be red" she said.

As close to sitting as she'd get!  

We ended October with Halloween.  Miss Gracie changed her mind about her costume 2 weeks before Halloween.  She talked all summer about being a mommy, but just couldn't pass up the opportunity to be Elsa instead.  She made a beautiful Elsa, as you can see!  We had a busy night.  We started by meeting at Grandma Jean's house to see the Weaver side of our family.  Grandma Tena took Gracie to a few houses to trick-or-treat and I surprised one of my students by answering the door when she came to Grandma Jean's house unexpectedly.  So fun!  Then our family headed to the Willis' house to see the Sevedge side of our family.  We ate yummy chili and found a few more houses to trick-or-treat at.  We knew it was time to call it a night when Gracie's legs and feet told her she was done.  That's what she said!  What a fun night!

So beautiful!

This is "baby scarecrow" so she needed her picture taken with the baby.
Geez!

Notice Cinderella and her curtsey.
Shortly after this picture, G's legs and feet told her it was time to be done.
Her face says it all.

What a fun October!  Between work, graduate classes, family fun, Ryan traveling, and fertility doctor's appointments, this month was a blur.  There's definitely so much to be thankful for.  We're looking forward to spending November reflecting on the many blessings God's given us.