Tucker's 5th Birthday!

I can't believe we just celebrated Tucker's 5th Birthday!

 He wanted a Despicable Me Minion party.

 I helped make cute bags for the pinata candy and then we set up an area for the kids to make one for themselves.

 I caught the birthday boy before the party began!

 Aunt Jen sure is talented at making cupcakes.

 Getting ready for the party . . .

 This girl is a big . . .

 MESS!

 Craft time!

 All the bags were different but adorable.

 Pinata Time! 

It was SO windy and dusty that we improvised and moved the pinata inside the garage. 

Tucker went first!

Then it was Maci's turn. 

 Then Madi took a turn.

 After all of Tucker's little friends went, then it was Tripp's turn! 

And all the candy came flying out!

 Getting ready to sing.

 He looked down the entire time we sang to him.  Shy just like his cousin.

 Time to make a . . .

 WISH!

 Time to open presents!

Matt picked out this bow and arrow and was excited to give it to Tuck.

 I love how excited he was when he saw money in the envelope.

 Quick shot of us.

Happy Birthday Tucker!
The birthday boy came home with us and is spending the night.

Madi and Tucker were so cute today since they don't see each other as often.

They have been inseparable!

Lights

 The weather was nice last weekend so Matt decided to put up the lights.

 He calls my phone and says to come outside and bring my camera. 

 I went outside and found Madi on the roof with her Daddy!

 Madi showed me her sketch of the house to see how the lights would go up.  I guess she saw Matt's drawing and had to make one of her own.

For our lights this year we took a friend's advice and went to Holland Gardens and had them make us one strand of lights for our specific house.  It's the exact length and doesn't require any extension cords.  Definitely makes it easier to put up lights!

Thanksgiving Lunch

 Monday

I can always tell when Matt took the morning picture because of the angle since he's so much taller than me. :)

 Tuesday

 Wednesday

 After I picked Madison up from school on Wednesday I took her to Matt's school since we had a Town Hall meeting back on campus for the students.  I wasn't planning on being late but the meeting lasted until after 8pm and then we all had to debrief over drinks at Cafe J.  :)

While I was gone Matt sent me this picture with the caption "What Momma doesn't know won't hurt her" since I don't let the puppies on the couches anymore.

 Thursday

 Madi had an assignment for us to disguise a turkey together so he wouldn't be eaten for Thanksgiving.  I asked her what she wanted to disguise him as and she said a Christmas tree. 

 We went and picked out a fire log set up last Friday and they came to install it on Thursday.  Matt sent me our first fire pic while I was taking Madi to piano lessons.  We love it and can't wait for colder weather!

 This cartoon is so true but it made me laugh out loud because Tripp always seems to come away full of sweets and with money after visiting my parents!

 Friday

 Appropriate cookie for the day!

 Thankfully, Matt was able to attend Madison's school Thanksgiving lunch because I had a PDF retreat with my two fellow PDFs today.  We hid out at Dr. Johnson's house and had soup in bread bowls while we tried to rewrite a course syllabus.  We laughed because we have to leave the office to get any work done.  :) 

My two turkeys . . .

Madison went home with Maisen after school today so Matt and I went on a date to Orlando's.

Shay (Maisen's mom) sent me this picture of the girls playing dress up.  Maisen's older sister Maygen did their make up. 

 After dinner, we picked Madi up from their house and invited the girls out for some ice cream. 

 Six Year Old Selfies

Matt and Madi are SO excited to get Christmas decorations out this weekend.  I'm outnumbered! 

I just feel weird putting my turkeys away before Thanksgiving day. 

A Slower Week

 Monday

 Tuesday

 Wednesday

 Matt only had a half day of work on Wednesday so he picked Madison up from school.  He sent me this picture along with the caption "We have a mean game of Chutes and Ladders going on!"

 Thursday

After piano practice Thursday night, Ms. Amy said that she gave Madi another Christmas song to work on since she already knows her first song so well! 

 Friday

 Matt took Friday off of work and I left at lunch time so we could have an afternoon date!

We had lunch and shopped and shopped!  We got Christmas lights for the house and picked out our fireplace logs.  Now they just have to come install it all. 

Friday night our church had Parents' Night Out so we went to "cook on the table" for dinner then to Market St. for coffee and dessert.

This was my attempt at a "group-selfie."

 Adam's attempt was much better!

 We did a little Christmas shopping Saturday morning.

I think these stockings are cute but a little too girly for what I'm wanting.

We had family movie night with popcorn and cookies while watching Brave.

We made it about half way before it got too scary for Madi.  

Oh well, it was a good time to stop since it was after her bed time anyway.

Happy Halloween!

 We finally opened up one of Madi's birthday gifts the Sunday before Halloween.

 We made pumpkin shaped sugar cookies.

 And once they were done we dyed some icing orange and green. 

 Then Madi got to use this decorating pen to ice her cookies.

 I wasn't sure if it would be worth all the work.  But it was easy and worked pretty well!

 Heading off to eat her yummy cookie!

 A bean bag means a mobile bed to Madi.  :)  She can take it to any room and relax!

 Monday

 Tuesday morning was dark so we didn't get the best picture.

 But thankfully it was also TWIN day at school so we took a picture with Adyson in the parking lot before the girls walked in.  I teased the girls that Ms. Olivarez wouldn't be able to tell who was who!

 Wednesday

 Grandma and Grandpa Heider sent a fun Halloween package in the mail.  I'm pretty sure getting a package was as neat as the actual candy.

 Thursday

Happy Halloween! 

 Madison's school did a Halloween parade through the cafeteria a little after school started.  It was a cute way to show everyone all the costumes.  All the Kinder teachers dressed up as the Disney princesses.  Ms. Olivarez made the BEST Snow White.

 My pumpkin!

 I'm sure I'll be seeing this face more and more the older she gets.

 After piano lessons, we headed to Cousin Tucker's neighborhood and trick-or-treated.

 The whole gang!

 Friday

 Saturday afternoon and evening we had six extra kids at our house.

 It was a blur just like these pictures!

Matt smoked a brisket all day and we watched the game with the Foley's and Aunt Shelle.

Well the guys watched the game and the girls went shopping and our for dessert!