Happy Thanksgiving

What a handsome nephew I have. Preston and Brennen looked foreword to Thanksgiving day so that they could play together. They are definitely thankful for cousins to play with!

Ann made the rolls for our Thanksgiving feast and they were so yummy. I'm really not sure what Clellie was doing, but by the looks of the picture we have a thief on our hands...the camera never lies.
My big bro. Brian, thanks for inviting us along for Thanksgiving!
I just love visiting with Brenda, she is such a kick! We really did enjoy ourselves this year.

Brian organized a game of Phase 10 for the kids, although I think originally it was supposed to be for the adults. The kids had fun playing and Devin (no shown) actually won quite a few times. Here is a picture of Preston and Brennen, it must have been a very suspenseful game.

shopping & lunch

My good friend Patty was able to stop by today, I haven't seen her since we moved. It was so great to visit with her, we went shopping and out to lunch, it was such a fun day. I miss you girl!

Thanksgiving dishes

I decided to start up a recipe blog, because I am falling behind getting my recipes to people, see blogging fixes everything! Click here to find our family favorite Thanksgiving dishes like our favorite Streuseled Sweet Potato Casserole. If you'd like to check out the full line up of recipes the blog address is http://lebelfamrecipecollection.blogspot.com/. Please leave a comment if you try something out, I'd love to hear what your family thinks. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday Ethan!

Ethan is now 2 years old! Ethan recieved clothes and books from dad, mom, Brennen & Devin (not shown), books from grandma & grandpa (not shown), a fun elmo/cookie monster ball from Ari, a see-n-say from aunt Heather & fam. and a ball and playdough from Brian & Elaine & fam. Thank you everyone!! Ethan loved his party.

Check out the creative wrapping job done by his aunt Elaine...very fun!

Thank You

Ethan had so many helpers when he was opening his presents.

Thank you Aunt Heather, you did a great job picking out this gift!

Ari tortured her poor baby brother, she wrapped his gift in 4 different layers of wrapping paper. He was at the store when she purchased his gift and she knew how much he loved the gift she got him. It's a half elmo half cookie monster ball that shakes and talks when you push on their faces, he has so much fun with it.

Ethan and his birthday cake, it was a cute monkey ice cream cake. Okay just a side note on what an awful mother I am, I decorate cakes but almost NEVER make my kids own cake, after all of the party planning I just don't feel up for the challenge. I do love a good monkey theme for a cute little boy!

Ethan blew out his two candles with ease...he'll get his birthday wish this year.

Malinda

Before and After

Thank you to Kari for sharing her new found treasure, here are my before and after photos.




















Also thank you to Sarah for her quick and easy link instructions

Click here for a more positive side to the post prop 8 campaign.

fondant bow demonstration

If you are interested in finding out how to make the fondant bow click on jens sweet cakes and scroll down to the bottom of the page for a YouTube demonstration...happy cake decorating!

Present Cake

A friend had her birthday on Sunday, so I decided to make a cake for her. I really had fun making this one...maybe because it was so small, that always seems to help. Ethan was helping me every step of the way and mommy was trying very hard to keep her patience ;]

Wrestling Match

Brennen was able to have Preston over last night, and tonight Brian came over for dinner. When it was time for Preston to leave with his dad Brennen decided to do what he could to get Preston to stay. Brennen told Brian that he would take him down in a wrestling match and that if he did than Preston could stay. Brian never said that he accepted the challenge, but played along with the boys. Here Brennen is taking his Uncle Brian down ;]. when all was said and done Preston went home with his dad...poor guy.

I just love his cute little smile!

Thanks Grandma!

Grandma Debbie made this hat for Ari a while ago and it is now getting cold enough for her to wear it regularly. Doesn't she look so beautiful in it, although I think that she is beautiful in anything. Thank you Grandma!

Whipping Cream

Sleepover fun!!! The girls, that includes mom stayed up late to visit. We had hot cocoa with whipping cream but felt the need to finish the whipping cream off because there wasn't enough for every one else...ya sure. Below is Clellie with whipping cream oozing from her mouth.

Ari got a bit more daring and let mom create with her face as the canvas...what a sport!

The close up shot. For some reason she wouldn't open her eyes while the whipping cream was on her face.We had a lot of fun and got very silly!

Halloween Night

Just wanted to post our Halloween pictures. Elaine shared a Brooksby Halloween tradition-making bones out of bread dough. When she was little she remembered making bones to give out as their Halloween treat, today she makes them with her kids to enjoy after they finish trick-or-treating. It was fun to see the kids participate, below are the pictures of them making the bones and the finished product...they even made a whole skeleton!

These are the only pictures of the kids in their costumes on Halloween night, they were so excited and wouldn't hold still for anything...especially mom and her camera. Brennen didn't wear his makeup, but I still think that he makes one dashing vampire...I think I understand how Bella must have felt. The kids had a blast at Brian & Elaine's, after they pilfered through their loot for a while they settled in with some hot cocoa and a movie to wind down the evening. Later we took Preston and Bree to our house for a sleepover while Ari stayed with Clellie and Cece. Everyone had a lot of fun!

Ethan and Everett. Everett decided he wanted nothing to do with dressing up but as I'm sure you can guess, nobody denied that smile candy!