Making Christmas...

We got to go with some of our favoritest people to go cut down a Christmas tree.

We've always just done the fake tree, but this was so much fun, we might have to start a new tradition.

First, it's very important to pick the right saw. 

Sophia favored the red.

Beautiful.

Loved this old tractor

The hardest part is choosing! 

(and not getting lost.)

My handsome lumberjack

Sophia was very picky.

I told her to smell it..

...she quickly decided tasting it was also necessary.

So much fun

And couldn't be more scenic

The one...

Sophia was good at supervising.

Timber!

She also was good at helping carry the tree.

Love this picture

Sophia decided to give Kathleen a turn too.

All ready to go. 

Perfect.

(well, maybe a little tall ;)

Thanksgiving!

4th year having Thanksgiving with these guys, and each year, I am more and more thankful for them.

They are one of the things that I know we were meant to move to Michigan for.

And they throw the best parties!

Potatoes for 40 people?

No problem.

This is just the BEST holiday

Sophia was so excited to sit at the kids table.

I don't know if Mike was quite as excited- haha

So much pie!

But first you must perform for it!

(best tradition yet)

The conga line- it's become a tradition as well now.

So much to be thankful for.

Something totally mundane...

You ever see something totally mundane, that you do everyday- and then one day think, "oh, my gosh- this is so beautiful" 

Beautiful in it's simplicity and timelessness as a moment that will never happen again?

That happened to me this morning.

I love the quiet moments of the morning. 

And I love that Sophia always starts them happy- typically lets us know she's awake by singing and laughing to herself. 

Then we get up and she goes potty and washes her hands.

There was just something about it this morning I didn't want to forget.

So I grabbed my camera.

The hair!

Bed-head to the max.

Showing off her "big-girl" (alright their boy undies- but she wanted trains) underpants

I don't think there is anything cuter than her.

Dinosaurs in the Winter

We took a quick trip to the Science Museum to see the dinosaurs.

Sophia was in heaven- it's been her passion lately.

I wonder where she gets that from...

Michaelmas

We have a wonderful and creative friend that invited us over to celebrate Michaelmas.

It's a tradition of sharing light in the winter.

Traditionally you take lanterns to deliver treats to neighbors.

We talked about serving others, and went for a little fall stroll with our lanterns, followed by some hot cider and muffins.

These little ones

How could they not make you feel warm in the winter?

Gotta love the leaves...