Pretty Colors!

One of the presents Grandma Ellen gave Careline for her recent birthday was a promise to take her to a nail salon for a manicure and pedicure.  Today the two of them went for their day of pampering. 

Missing Grandpa Jer

It was one year ago today that Grandpa Jer passed away.  Time is a funny thing.  Sometimes it seems as though just yesterday he was here with us and then other times it seems as though it's been forever since we've been in his presence.  One thing is for certain, he is missed by all of us very much.

Happy Turkey Day

Buddy's Turkey

Today was the kids last day of school before Thanksgiving, so home came some Thanksgiving artwork.  I totally got a kick out of Braden's masterpiece.  Each feather lists one person in our family and why he's thankful for us.  In case you can't read them, here's what they say:

The orange one says I am thankful for my dad because he helps me with my homework and makes sure I read 100 minutes.

The red one says I am thankful for my sister Addiline (he spells her name differently than I do, I guess) because she likes to help me do stuff.

The blue one says I am thankful for my sister Careline because she lets me play her Kindle.

And last, but not least, the green one says I am thankful for my mom because my mom washes my clothes.

Memories of Christmas Past

As I sit down at my computer today to create the McLaughlin 2013 Christmas card, I came across some of the very cute photos of the kids taken when each was just a babe.

Movember

My brother-in-law David, along with so many other men around the world, is growing a mustache this month for the sole purpose of raising awareness for men's health.

Here's his current look.

My Sister can hardly wait for December to arrive.

The Oxford English Dictionary Word of the Year....

SELFIE

I recently reported how Adeline is very much in to capturing images of herself on my phone and it seems as though she's not alone.  In fact, it came out yesterday in the news that the term was used so often in calendar 2013, up some 17,000%, that the Oxford English Dictionary felt compelled to make it the word of the year.

Here are just a few of the Selfies captured on my iPhone this week.  

10th Birthday Party

Today everyone gathered at our house to celebrate Careline's 10th birthday.  The birthday dinner included two of her all time favorites, soup and sandwiches.  For dessert, she was excited to share the cupcakes she made and decorated for the occasion.  She took such care in the decoration of these sweet treats and the placement of them on the cupcake tree, alternating chocolate and vanilla and never placing the same colored sprinkles next to one another.  She's such a perfectionist!

Thank you everyone for all the awesome and fun gifts...she's a lucky girl!
 

Missing A Pair Of Choppers

Braden lost a tooth today at school, and one last week as well, leaving him with a bit of a goofy looking smile.  He's still my handsome boy, though!  Hopefully the Tooth Fairy remembers to pay him a visit tonight.  She forgot last week.  Hey...the Tooth Fairy makes mistakes too!

Double Digits

  

Happy 10th Birthday, Careline!!!

The Last BUTT Not Least Photo From Our Trip

Adeline was so busy playing in the water that she didn't even realize that she was having this wardrobe malfunction.  Only a three year old wouldn't be bothered by a wedgie of this degree!

A Full Day Of Waterpark Fun

Yesterday was our last full day of fun here in The Dells.  We hit all three of the indoor waterparks at one point or another during the day.  We were really spoiled the first couple days we were here with no crowds or lines...but as of yesterday we definitely started to notice the rise in attendance.

We're headed back to the waterpark soon for our last morning of fun and then we're homeward bound.  Til next time Wisconsin Dells...it's been fun as usual!

After two straight days of non-stop activity, Adeline zonked out on my lap by 10:45 am for an hour and a half siesta .

Another Fun Filled Day In The Dells

 After a full day of water park fun, I took the adventurous big kids to the rope course last night.  Here they are all harnessed up and ready to go.  No fear for these 3!

Wisconsin Dells!

 

We're back in one of our favorite get-away places...The Wisconsin Dells. Our kids are off of school the next couple of days for conferences, but because most kids have school there is hardly anyone here.  No lines...yeah!
 

Careline's sweet friend Ella came with us this time.  She's so polite, neat, eats everything that's put on her plate,...hopefully our kids can take a few pointers from her behavior this week!

Say It Isn't Snow!

Falling Leaves

The leaves have hung on the Bubba Tree longer this year than in years past due to the drought earlier in the season.  Just in the past few days they have begun to fall.  I imagine it won't take long for every last one of them to drop to the ground.