Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! On Thursday, we headed to New Bremen for the Lloyd Thanksgiving @ Kevin & Connie's for lunch. For supper, we went to Butch & Bobbie's in Van Wert. This is pretty much what the guys did. Don't they look full?!! Saturday evening, we had John's family over for supper.

Watching

Projects

I'm working on projects for our event at church on Tuesday night. Holiday Hospitality: Reclaiming Christmas. I'm creating the Children's Idea Room. It will be set up as a bedroom, and I am OH so excited! I'm putting together tutorials to hand out, and giveaways (you could win a paper chain advent calendar!) You should come! It's Tuesday night @ 6:30 at our church, and the format is that of a "morning show".

Yummmmy Turrrrrrkeeyyyyy

We had our fill today. Not only of turkey and all the goodness that goes along with it (and there was A LOT of goodness today) but our hearts are full of love, laughter, remembering, singing, sharing, catching up, and making sweet memories.

Give Thanks

Give Thanks with a grateful heart
Give Thanks to the Holy One
Give Thanks because He's given Jesus Christ His Son
And now let the weak say, "I am strong!"
Let the poor say, "I am rich! Because of what the Lord has done for us."

Give thanks!!

*Werts Family*

It's unfortunate, I know, but they are a Gator (cough cough) family.

>

Tiff's Family

I took the Werts family's photos this afternoon, and it was so much fun!!! I was so impressed with Jim's ideas the whole time. This family always cracks me up, and today was no exception! Tiff-here's *one*!! I will show you more soon!

Accountable

School Pictures!

Haydn: 1st Grade



Hutch: Preschool

*and obviously I had a black dot on my scanner! (: ooops!

Car Rainbow

Hutch thought it would be fun today to make a rainbow with Hot Wheels. So did I. So we made one. He was right. It was!


I had to get back to housework. I know. Sounds not fun. You were right. It wasn't.

Anyway...

He kept asking me which letters make which sounds. Like, "Mom. What makes this sound? "juh" "juh"?" I would tell him J and go back to my work.

I went in and saw this!

He decided to count each color of car. My favorite color spellings are AOJ for Orange, PRBL for purple, and YLO for yellow. I'd say he's definitely an 'emergent reader'!!

He Passed!

Do I sound surprised?! Well I am! Haydn took his first Progressive Swim Lessons at the YM. He was a "Polliwog".

As we watched each evening, I had parents encourage me, telling me that their children took each class 4 times until they passed, so just expect it. So, we expected Haydn to stay in Polliwog next time. But, evidentally, Haydn has John's mad swimming skills (: and he really got the hang of it toward the end of the session. I would say he probably would get the Most Improved Award if it were an award. It was so exciting to see him go from a boy not really digging the thought of climbing up the diving board ladder to a brave little water-loving boy whose favorite part of swimming lessons is jumping.
Last night was the last class of this session, so family could come watch. He had a pretty big audience (our family plus Grandma Shirley and Grandpa Larry). I lugged my camera in and everything only to realize that I forgot to recharge my battery. I *never* do that. Well, almost never, I should say! As he climbed up on the diving board, my battery died. ugh.

Not to be defeated, I pulled out the trusty cell phone and finished the session with this! {still missed the diving board pictures, though!}

Great job little Guppy!

My Little Pike

Hutch had his last swimming lesson, which means that he gets to invite an "audience" to watch (you're usually not allowed in). Grandpa Larry and Grandma Shirley came to watch. He did a great job!

Gratitude List

I just got home from an awesome Seminar in Crown Point Indiana, where Carol Kent was the speaker for the weekend. (if you don't know her story, click on the link and scroll down) Wow. She has such a story, and such faith in God. Wow. She spoke of her son's Gratitude List, and it reminded me that Chantal tagged me to come up with a "Thanksgiving Alphabet" listing what I am thankful for. Here goes:

before I start.. I must say I heart things like this! When we have Thanksgiving at our house, I force each person to name three things they're thankful for before I will let them eat. (;

Okay. The list.

A: An Almighty God

B: Brainstorming

C: Coffee-don't even get me started!

D: Driving aimlessly

E: Eating Family Dinners together-such a precious time. Something I always remember about my childhood, and something I hope my children remember about theirs.

F: Family-both my biological and church families

G: Gwyneth Rae Ridenour

H: Haydn Charles Ridenour & Hutch Warren Ridenour

I: Interesting Conversation

J: John. {sigh}

K: Kid Cuddle Time

L: Laughter

M: My Minivan-it's like a house on wheels (:

N: Nature

O: Outings- I love to explore with my family

P: Photography and also Paper-y Stuff

Q: Questions-It means they're learning (My teacher side showing)

R: "Real" people

S: Savior- My Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for me!

T: Teachers who "get" my children and appreciate their unique personalities

U: Unexplainable feelings

V: Vintage finds

W: Warm cozy houses

X: Xrays (it's what supports our family)

Y: Youthful spirits

Z: Zoo trips

Now, I get to tag! I tag Jackie, Paula and Lindsay! (and you, you non-bloggers. I tag you, too. Just list three things you're thankful for in the comments! PLEASE?!! I love this stuff!)

I'm excited to see what you've got to be thankful for!

Looking Back

Three years ago! (I know the date stamp says two years ago, but Hutch is only 19 months here, not two and a half.. My camera was set to the wrong year for about a month!)

My two little guys. So little! They wanted to print this picture and make a picture frame for Pastor Steve. So I let them make a foam frame with a bunch of sequins and feathers and stuff. They wrote him a card, and were so excited to give it to him! The last time I was in his office, it was still hanging in there. (:

Another Way To Roast Hot Dogs...

We were eating the other night (without John) and I was paying attention to Gwyneth in her high chair and NOT really paying attention to Hutch, sitting right beside me--- He put his hot dog on his fork and was roasting is over the candle!!! I made him stop right away, but then let him re-enact it because I just had to take a picture!

My Shining Star

Haydn was beaming (ha) when he came home from school today, because he earned the Shining Star Award for October for completing his work at school! YAY Haydn! I had tears in my eyes as I was reading the note from his teacher explaining the award. I'm so proud of him! Way to go, Haydo!

Mums

I just wanted to share some of the mums on my front porch with you! {I wanted to edit the photo with a Dutch feel}

Trick or Treat