November 30

We had friends over for the afternoon/evening. Our kids have been friends since before they were even born!

November 29

Drumroll please.......

After 370 days, the bathroom project is complete!!!

 

 

I can't wait to use it - assuming Clay will actually let me in there. 

Yesterday was spent getting out the Christmas decorations,shopping (for bathroom towels, a garbage can, etc), and finishing up the last details of the bathroom. The kids were so excited to get out the decorations.

 

 

 This year I had helpers putting up the tree. Lucy supervised.

 

 

Holiday Pretzel Kisses are a favorite Christmas treat. Heat the kiss and the pretzel in the oven at 170 degrees until soft (about 5 minutes), then put on the m&m. Chill in fridge until solid. Salty and sweet. Yum!

 Elliott's happy that we've put up the "beanstalks" (stockings)

 

For our Advent activity this year we are using "Truth in the Tinsel". Each day we will learn a Bible verse and story and then make a corresponding ornament.

 My nativity... love!

 

 

 

 

November 28

Here are pictures from Thanksgiving at Mamaw and Bapaw's house. I am thankful for a Mother-in-Law who loves to cook a big Thanksgiving meal so I don't have to! I would much rather do the dishes afterwards!

 

 

 

 Awake...

 Turkey-induced comas

 Four Generations: Hugh Clayton (Pa-Paw C), Hugh Richard (Bapaw), Clayton Ray, and Elliott Clayton

"The boys" with their papaws

 All the boys - Joe had better have some sons... we need more little men!

The whole crew

November 27

Happy Birthday Uncle Stump!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

 Yesterday we had Ariel and Jonathan here for most of the day.  

 We celebrated finishing the 3rd Harry Potter book (Julia and Kat) by watching the movie and drinking some Butterbeer.

 "I'm Mr T"

Lucy's partial to red-headed babies.

Today will be spent watching the Macy's Parade, spending time with family, and stuffing our faces with... stuffing (and turkey, dumplings, mashed potatoes, etc).

November 26

Elliott had a Thanksgiving party at preschool yesterday.

 

We dropped Kat off to spend the night at Mamaw and Bapaw's house. Ma-maw and Pa-paw C are in town now too. This means that Kat had four grown-ups to herself. Somebody is gonna be spoiled!

Julia's friend Ariel spent the night. Elliott tried hard to crash their party.

November 25

 We have shower doors! 

Sink is installed...

A few details need to get taken care of (touch-up paint, caulking the new shower doors), and then Clay will install the toilet! Having that second toilet in place and having my husband NOT working on this project in his spare time will be awesome! 

Here are pictures of our bathroom this time last year:

 

 

 

 

November 24

Kat had a sweet new friend, Abigail, come over after church yesterday. They seemed to hit it off. Kat asked if she can come home with us every Sunday. 

 Doesn't everyone play games up on the counter? 

 

The girls made pumpkin cookies that we are giving to a homeless ministry through our church.

November 23

"Simon says touch your nose..." (Julia and I helped in Elliott's Sunday School class this morning)

November 22

Clay worked in the bathroom most of the day. Our sink is installed, although I have been told not to use it yet... which only confirms my suspicions that I won't actually be allowed in the bathroom when it is finished. 

Jonathan, Matthew, and Elijah spent the afternoon/evening at our house. Most of that time was spent outside enjoying the awesome weather. Monday we were sledding in snow. Five days later it is 60 degrees outside and the kids were sliding down the same hill on their bikes.

 Elijah wasn't sure about the leaves.

 

 

 

 Sometimes you need to wear elbow and knee pads to pretend mow the grass.

 

 

 

 Our neighbors came over to play for awhile too, bringing the total up to 9 kids. 

Gus enjoyed having friends to hag out with.