Giving Thanks

O give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for his lovingkindness is everlasting.  I Chronicles 16:34

I love creating family traditions in our home.  This year we have added a new holiday tradition for the month of November.  It is our "Thanksgiving Tree".  Once again Ann Voskamp has provided a lovely Free printable here.  Luca helped me gather some twigs from the backyard, I cut and laminated each leaf with contact paper and then hung the leaves on our tree.  Each leaf has a Bible verse printed on the front in which we read and discuss as a family each night.  Then the kids are writing what they are thankful for on the backside using a dry erase marker (making the leaves reusable for next year!)

Emma's 8th Birthday

The anticipation and excitement was boiling over for one very excited little girl who just could NOT wait to turn 8 years old on November 4th.  Emma Patryce, oh how we love you!  We share in your great joy for another year of life to celebrate.  For indeed it is a marvelous gift from our heavenly Father.  You are all too quickly growing up!

Emma claims that this year was the best birthday ever.  And it rightly may be so as this is only the 2nd birthday in her lifetime that she has celebrated in person with an extension of our family.  Her celebrations began on Saturday with a shopping and lunch date with her great Aunt Mary.  A family dinner with her choice of menu, which included: pulled pork, "smashed" potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green beans, jello, yeast rolls, chocolate cake with a horse theme and peanut butter cup ice cream.  Samuel provided the entertainment with a "stunning" magic show.  I think the family got more of a laugh out of the dejavù feeling, as this was something Jonathan had done at his own 7th birthday party back in the day.  Samuel was clueless about the event in his dad's life, therefore, only further solidifing that the apple does not fall far from the tree.  Luca joined in with his illusion and did a great job too!

Thank you to all who sent cards, emails, called or gave presents.  You made her day!