Thanksgiving West Side

Thanksgiving 2018! 

We were able to celebrate with family at Uncle Chris's house this year! I can't believe that we don't have a pic from the day. We had a great time at his house and catching up with family around a yummy, homemade dinner. 

Afterwards, Ben and I had decided earlier that week, that it would be way easier just to head over to the West side of the state straight from Uncle Chris's after dinner. So with the car packed, our tummies full, and with Home Alone playing, we headed over to Uncle B's and Auntie Mol's for the weekend!

Wakey, Wakey! So much fun to wake up with good friends.

After we corralled the masses, we spent the day at Fredrick Meijer Garden! We had so much fun looking at the beautiful gardens. Sweet "little Luke" (little guy far left) touched one of the cactus' but his cute smile below shows you that he quickly recovered. 

Ellie holding down the fort with all of these boys! Kiddos in order left-right:

"Little" Luke, Benny, Ellie, Drew, Ty Guy, and "Big" Luke

 Playing in the fort!

This little smile, head slightly tilted, and cute puffy hands. My heart. 😍

 Then if the day couldn't get any better...Off to the Brang's we go!! We were able to spend the afternoon playing and hanging with some of our besties!

Ending our fun time with cookies and hot cocoa...Always a crowd pleaser!

 Such a fun weekend with family and friends! We were tired but the good, fulfilled tired. Blessings to all of our family and friends! 

Dancing into Thanksgiving

Entering the Thanksgiving season, I am reminded to carve out time to count and name my blessings one by one. 

Luke, Ellie and Drew, you are our beautiful blessings and we are so thankful for each of you!

My beautiful, sweet niece!

Auntie Nae, who was able to spend the day with our kiddos!

Of course, my loving, committed and hard working hubs. I love you.

Here is a rare, sneak peak of what a work day may look like for him. Ben has the opportunity to tour and understand the workings of various skill trade companies in the area. This gives him a better understanding of different career pathways that are available to students.

Ellie and Luke both were asking to do bball this winter season and Ben found just the ticket. At Woodside Bible Church they have a bball program called Upward. It includes one practice and one game a week and at each event the players are led in prayer and a devotional. SCORE!! 

Below, Ellie is shooting at the "tryout". Little nugget couldn't even get the ball to touch the bottom of the net. A defeated Ellie exclaimed at the end, " Dad!! I didn't even score one goal!" This is the perfect opportunity for Ellie to push her growth mindset and to learn to use grit and not give up. I am excited for her!! Of course, for Luke too!

Speaking of Ellie, our little dancer back in her own comfort zone. Once a semester, families are invited to observe their dance class as a way for us to see and enjoy all they have learned! We all LOVE to go...Even the boys!

My beautiful girl. 💜

At the end, the siblings are invited to join!

Luke, as in all things, takes this opportunity full throttle! 😍

After Dance, back to home we go to celebrate Ben on his birthday!!! 

You got a whole lotta love, babe. We all love you so much!!

Thanksgiving Baskets through Kensington!!

That Friday night Ben and Luke were able to serve at a local Pontiac Elementary School. They took inventory on 655 baskets of food and paper products for the families in need that attend that school. They moved all of the items off the delivery truck, inventoried all of the items, and then organized the items for the volunteers the next morning.

Here we all are the following morning putting together our 3 Thanksgiving baskets. 

We are already to deliver to our three families downtown Pontiac. This year was just the best because all of the families were home, Drew came with us inside this year, and we prayed as a family with all 3 families. Not one time, did I not have tears rolling down my cheeks. These families have so much love to give too. They are so loved too. They are so valued and important too. We are blessed to have shared our morning with each of them. 

Halloween, 5K, and All-Stars

Ellie in her Halloween costume at Dance class! However, once I got her, she was down to her leotard because her costume was too "itchy". Seriously, so glad we haven't spent money on any of their costumes the last few years. I swear, Halloween now lasts ALL of October and so after all of the different events "the costume" ends up changing several times before the actual night of trick-or-treating. This one was picked out and in her closet since summer and it didn't last a 45 minute Dance class. 

 Ben found this and amidst all of the busy days we are grateful and feel so blessed.❤  

Off to my elementary school in Oxford for our school's Fall Festival and Haunted House! PJ Masks were in full gear. This year Drew wanted to have everyone go as a PJ Mask character. Luke and Ellie were such good sports. Luke asked me privately that he didn't want to go to school as Catboy and if it was OK if he went as a baseball or football player instead at school but then would be Catboy at night?

Playing the games...

AND Boooorunch at the Patton house!! Look at all of these kiddos!! A bunch of families from the school literally took over their house for the day. So much fun! Ellie is in costume #3 as Alice in Wonderland and Drew is still Gecko. Luke and Ben were at soccer.

We were "BOOED"!

Pumpkin carving! 

These two guys!! So handsome!

Costume #4 for Ellie! She decided on Spider Girl for her Halloween party at school!

And Halloween Night...Auntie Megs, The Big Bad Wolf, and sweet Little Red Riding Hood came over for pizza and Trick-Or-Treating!

Drew LOVES his little Harlow!!!

PJ Masks, We're the PJ Masks!! Into the night and into the day, PJ Masks will save the DAY!!

Cousins rule!!

Harlow's first Halloween and Trick-Or-Treating!! We love you sweet girl and we are so happy we can experience all of your firsts with you. 

After finishing our neighborhood we were off to Megs and Chads'! Trick-Or-Treating went for two hours this year so we had plenty of time to loop our entire neighborhood and then hit up some houses over in theirs! We were their very first customers. 🎃

Happy Halloween!!!

304 pieces. Counted and organized into categories!

That Friday morning before school, Luke and Ellie were invited to have breakfast with Mr. Pontzious and PAWS from the Detroit Tigers! They were invited to attend because of the great job they did fundraising for the Fun Run this year!

Then we woke up early Saturday morning for McGregor Elementary's RUN CLUB 5K!! Luke has been running with his Run Club after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a few months training for this run. Luke LOVED it! 

Ellie and Drew decorated posters Friday night to get ready for the big race!

The runners are lining up at the start! " On your mark, get set...

GO!!!!" And they're off! Try and spot Ben and Luke off to the left.

Dad and Luke. ❤

Luke made his own bib at the last Run Club meeting.

The Sunday before, Luke asked Ben to run a 5K with him so he could feel what it was like. On the Sunday run we were shocked that Luke was able to run the entire time! Their time was 34 minutes. On Saturday (RACE DAY!), their time was 27 minutes! Way to go, LUKE!!

Afterwards, we all grilled out with hot dogs and goodies. It was such a great morning!

Great job, guys!!! 

After the 5K, we all left directly from the race to Luke's last soccer game. What a great kid. His legs were like rubber after the game.

Ellie snuggling up with G.G. to keep warm.

After lunch at Camp Ticonderoga, we stopped over at Megs and Chad's to visit.

The next day we were up and ready for Luke's All-Star Soccer game for his league. Each team picks their top 4 players to play in the final conference game and Luke was chosen. He played so well and was aggressive. 

Warm ups...(And it was freezing!!)

 Game time! Luke has the bright, blue pants on. :)

 Luke and his players from his original team!

 We are so proud of you, Luke! Great season, kiddo!!

 After a weekend of events we decided to celebrate with an extra special lunch...Off to the Rainforest Cafe!! It was Drew's first time and we were all so excited to show him everything. He wasn't quite sure of those tigers though! 

Bring on November and the beginning of the Holiday season, baby! Fires, cuddles, board games, and movies!! Fall, you were fun, fast and beautiful.