Reunion!

 I was so excited when my friend Susan from high school said her husband needed to come to Lubbock for work the weekend after Thanksgiving.

 Susan's girls, Clara and Celia, are 3 years old and I haven't met them yet.  We took the kids to Altitude so they could burn off all their energy.

 Me and My Girl!

 Shelle and her kids came along too.  Then we went to Chick-fila for some lunch and dessert.

 Saturday evening we met Susan and her family at 50th St. Caboose for dinner and some fun!

 How could we say no to the balloon animal guy!

 She earned more tickets than we could carry!

 Celia and Clara loved Madi and the feeling was definitely mutual!

Until next time friends!

Thanksgiving 2016

 Our little turkey on turkey day! 

We saw this idea the night before while we were watching a Christmas movie and playing on my phone.  We decided to give it a try!

 Madi made adorable turkey name cards for each of us so we'd know where to sit.

 Pre-dinner game of Clue!

 Thanksgiving Dinner!

 Photo-props!

 Love these kiddos so much!

 Grandma and two of her turkeys!

 So thankful for this man!

 We enjoyed Thanksgiving Bingo while we ate dessert.

 Then it was time for a bike ride!

 I took the kids all over the neighborhood.  They were ready to come home so I guess I wore them out!

 Finally resting!

 Next up was the Turkey Hunt game.

 They loved hunting and trying to find all the turkeys I hid around the house. 

 Madi ended up going home with the cousins for the night so me and this guy enjoyed a night out shopping around town!  We picked up most of the gifts we needed!

 We picked up this girl Friday around lunch time so we headed to Albarron's for yummy Mexican food.

 Then we braved the mall!

 Matt found a wallet and hat for Vegas and Madi can always find toys she wants for Christmas!

 Why yes we can stop and take a picture in the middle of the mall.  :)

 We came home and put some final ornaments on our tree to finish it up.  It was missing a little red.  Not sure how much longer he'll be able to hold her up like that. 

 We forgot to play Pin the beak on the Turkey that Madi had made so Matt and I joined in on the fun.  :) Madi won - big surprise!

 This picture popped up on my Facebook from 4 years ago. 

These pictures remind me to enjoy every single moment because they go so fast!

Thanksgiving Eve

 The morning before Thanksgiving Madi made water candles that she got as a birthday gift. 

 Then Wednesday afternoon we headed to volunteer at the Salvation Army.

 We helped make the sack dinners that they will hand out after the Thanksgiving meal on Thursday.  Madi immediately said how much she loves to volunteer and wants to do it more often.

 Wednesday evening, this cutie and I did some baking for Thanksgiving breakfast and dinner!

Bring on the turkey!

Pre-Thanksgiving Fun!

 Saturday morning these two braved Sam's while I was getting my hair done. 

 She's a good helper.  Those are 40 pound bags of salt.

 An afternoon in the hot tub?  Why not!

  We played a few games of Clue! too! 

 Sunday evening we attended our church's Thanksgiving dinner. 

 I'm VERY thankful for this sweet girl!

After Thanksgiving dinner we went to Ready Set Go! to celebrate Tucker turning 8!

 His cool Roblox cake was delicious!  The cake balls were the best part.

 Happy birthday Tuck!

We love you BIG time!

 Playing with make up Monday afternoon while I get some work done. 

 Tuesday we met Grandma, Grandma B, Aunt Shelle and all the cousins plus a few friends to see Trolls!

 It was a pretty cute movie.  I only fell asleep once. :)

Seeing a movie definitely makes it feel like the holidays are coming!

St. Augustine

Monday

 We just had to get out the telescope Monday night to check out this super moon.

 It did not disappoint.

 Tuesday morning, bright and EARLY, I was off to Orlando.  I landed then drove about 2 hours to St. Augustine for an inspection at Flagler College.

 I left a clue wrapped up with a riddle for Madi to find a surprise the morning I left. 
Legos are always a hit with this girl!  She didn't have school Tuesday so she spent the morning finishing the whole thing. 

 My view . . .

 Our hotel made these cute towel animals for us as we arrived.  Madi loved it when I sent her the picture.

 They went to Madi's well check and did a little golf on her day off.

 Then they watched a Christmas movie and enjoyed popcorn!

 We also added a new member to the Heider family . . . meet Steve.  :)

 Wednesday

 I had to go over a draw bridge that raises every half hour on my way to a school Wednesday morning.

 Thursday

 Another of the beautiful views I saw in St. Augustine!

  There's a beautiful building that used to be a hotel on Flagler campus where all the students eat lunch. 

 We enjoyed a quick tour before eating lunch.

 All of these are Tiffany windows.

 And this mural on the ceiling was just amazing.

 Madi and Daddy enjoyed a treat on Thursday after school.

 More towel animals.

 Shelle sent me these pics of Tripp and Morgan.  Growing up for sure!

 Tripp and Jacie, his girlfriend.

 Thursday night was our last night on inspection so we enjoyed a beautiful dinner outside at Harry's.

 My wonderful inspection team!
Me, Andrea (from the Florida Dept. of Education, Paulette, Reggie and Ed

 Friday - I think this smile screams "my mom is coming home tonight!"

 We delivered our final summary earlier than expected so I was able to get on an earlier flight out!  It was a great inspection as usual, but I am SO thankful to be home.