Just an awesome weekend -Thanksgiving and RenFest

 Lately I find myself blogging less and less about Down syndrome. Believe me, it’s not that I have forgotten about Down syndrome or that I refuse to talk about it now. Every day that I look into my son’s face it looks right back at me – Down syndrome. But Ethan is now 28 months old (2years 4months for those lazy ones that don’t want to do the math) and it is just part of life. Everything is just harmonious and fallen beautifully into place.

I still have the same super strong deep feelings about Down syndrome and Ethan and others just like him. There are (many) nights where it’s just Daddy and me up talking about Ethan and what a blessing he is. I cant ever imagine a day without my little guy. I love the girls with all of my heart and soul, there is absolutely nothing I wouldn’t do for them girls…. But for Ethan, I’ll probably come back from the dead for him.

I am so thankful that God chose me as his mommy, He knew what he was doing way before I could even accept it.

-Speaking of thankfulness, we celebrated Thanksgiving at our house this year with my sister in laws (& their families) and my parent in laws. Sadly my family couldn’t make it since my mom somehow has to work EVERY single Thanksgiving. Booooo.

It was still a very nice dinner with (TOO  MUCH) awesome food. 

I guess it isn't Thanksgiving if you dont throw a football around.

 Andrea and her cousin Stephen.

The boys. 

Family fun continued on Friday –nope, no Black Friday shopping this year, as we spend the day at the Texas Renaissance Festival, where the eating continued. I have ate SO much since Thursday that I am SURE I can go on without eating for like 3 weeks!

TRF is full of all sorts of fun and people watching at its greatest. You know it is bad when your 7yr old starts pointing out what “is messed up”....ahaha!

But it was a blast!

The girls were able to get some sibling frustration out.....

rode on Neptune's swing....

 (that's my friend's daughter, Victoria...brave little one!)

 jumped on the trampoline...

 This was Gabby's first year doing this... this is a big thing for her because she is a big chicken!

 And Ethan and daddy were able to ride a big fake horse.....

 ..that's little Prince Charming there.... for those of you that dont know.

and we also got  in on the fun trying to climb this rope ladder... I swear it looks so easy -but it isnt!

for the record, I did much better than Daddy.
Dont believe what he tells you!

And another great thing, Santa Daddy just bought me an early Christmas gift! A Canon EF Lens - 50 mm - F/1.8 - Canon EF!
 I am always using my 75-300mm lens since it takes better pics than the generic 18-55 lens it comes with.So I am excited to be able to take better close ups without having to back up a mile!




In other news, The Houston Buddy Walk  is this Saturday! Dec 3, at the Diamond Lot at Minute Maid Park, one mile walk around the block of Minute Maid Park. Not too late to register or donate! Hope to see you guys there! Thank you all for the support!

DONATE and/or REGISTER HERE! 

The month of giving thanks - Holiday Decor

I know I haven’t been too up to date with this whole Thanksgiving thing, but seriously I already had a head start than most of you since I started working on my Thanksgiving crafts the weekend before Halloween! So HA! And rest assured, I am very thankful for many things, today and every day.

And since it has just been confirmed, Thanksgiving will be at our house, I am working on a few extra touches to add to the house. We havent had Thanksgiving at our house for maybe 5 or 6 years, so yeah I am excited.  That also means something is brewing that hopefully my guest will enjoy (insert evil laugh!!!). I am just giddy with the thoughts of some of the things I want to do! And it all needs to be done by this weekend, because then it is time to start working on Christmas stuff! (Dear Hubby, we need to work on the play room so I can work on my craft section so I can stop crafting in the kitchen and living room….)

-And speaking of the Husband, today is his birthday! Happy Birthday HUNBUN. Thank you so much, especially these last few days, I am very proud of you and you know I LOVE you dearly. XOoXXxxOo (Nacho Libre…hehe)

I surprised him at work today with Jack in the Box breakfast, along with 2 chocolate overload cakes from there! Some of you might think, “WHAT, JIB??? Seriously??? Is that all you can do…?” And the answer is yes. I work full time, I have limited time to cook or bake, I have to take the girls to school at 7:30am then drop off Ethan off at his school, then try to be at work by 8:30am. And the husband is very grateful for the things I do manage to do, like breakfast this morning because he knows how hectic our lives are. He’s pretty awesome for being so understanding of our circumstances and not being one of those overly demanding husbands that expects you to be in the kitchen all day long, even though you have a full time job as well. Yeah, he’s a pretty cool guy.

Here is a peak of how things are coming along.. .I also have a “thankful” banner I made…somewhere else in the house. There is no spellcheck when you use a pencil to write words… so originally my banner said “THANKFULL” yup, it did.( I am thinking a Thanksgiving tree under the turkeys...)

 

I had seen this (the turkey family) on Pinterest,

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Erika on Pinterest

and I remembered I had just found this picture frame in the entryway closet and we went to work! Each family member traced their hands and we colored them to look like Turkey’s. Of course Ethan had to be placed after his Daddy, that is Daddy’s shadow.  My super cute turkeys!

 I made the big medallion thing by rolling card stock into cones and gluing it all together. I am going to add more of the little fan ones.

Pictures of us I edited and framed. I LOVE. (I even made a tshirt flower and taped it on the frame. I made it while watching American Horror Story... anyone else watch that show?...creepy!)

 

 My house is like a cave and everything is so friggin dark! 

Here is what this picture looks like:

This one is also framed, but its away from this area... I regret going so dark on it, but I still dig the picture!

There is seriously something about being able to use things related to my family to use as décor that totally just rocks my socks… along with handmade crafty stuff…

Today, I am thankful for Pinterest!

-erika