Story City Tree Lighting party

The day after Thanksgiving, Story City had its annual Christmas tree lighting. Right in the center of town, a huge tree is brought in and placed in the middle of the intersection. We had friends over for hot cider and cookies, then all walked down together in the dark for the tree lighting. It's cool to live in a small town, where pretty much everybody shows up to enjoy this tradition. We all gather around the tree singing carols and then loudly count down the lighting - and CHEER! when the lights are lit. A chili supper is hosted at the fire station afterwards. The kids LOVED climbing on the firetrucks! Travis said, "please, oh please, can I driiiiiiiiiive the firetruck?!!" Poor kid didn't get his wish this time. :) Cassidy was anxious to spot Santa but didn't want to get anywhere near him. Then we walked home in the snow, looking at Christmas lights on the way. 

Jovi sat in this position like a statue, greeting our guests as they arrived! It was hilarious how she just sat so still, looking like part of the decorations!

 

Looking out the window, anxiously waiting for their friends to arrive...

Thanksgiving Day 2013

Living in Iowa, so far from our families, means that we spend some holidays alone. While we would rather be with the people we love, we still make Thanksgiving an awesome day and really enjoy a "quiet" day of just us. The morning starts out with homemade Double Maple Muffins (a Kay Faust tradition that I'm carrying on happily!) and we watch the Macy's parade on TV. Thanksgiving Day worship was next, and then lunch and tree decorating. The kids got so into putting their ornaments on the tree by themselves - it was hilarious how all the ornaments ended up in on spot, right in front, right at kid-eye-level. (Shh..don't tell them, but after they went to bed I might have rearranged the ornaments a bit. *wink*) I love to see how excited they get about our traditions and share in the joy of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The kids love to give each other hugs, which we just LOVE to see! I hope this continues forever. :)

Cassidy gets to put the star on the tree every year. It's fun to compare this year's picture to last year and see how much she's grown!

Our day continued with lots of cooking (mommy), lots of outdoor Christmas light decorating (daddy), and lots of playing and napping (kids). Travis' favorite part of Thanksgiving Dinner was "the milk" and Cassidy's favorite part was "the turkey" (which I'm glad she's finally getting right - for a while she was saying the Thanksgiving bird "looks like a duck but really it's a rooster" - ha!) We hope you had a great day too! Happy Thanksgiving 2013!

And just like that, she's 5

This is the first birthday that Cassidy really understood what was coming, had a lot of anticipation and excitement about, and boy, did she talk about it! FIVE is a big birthday! She said, "I'm really tired of being four. I'm really ready to be five." Her birthday landed on a Sunday this year, but Saturday we went out to lunch (her choice - "Oliver Gardens" - Olive Garden) and had a fun day together. Sunday was church and then pizza and cupcakes - again, her request. It was a fun, sweet, birthday day.

Trying really hard not to let me get a good picture :)

Her favorite smile, the "sideways smile"

walking to church with Daddy

 

Cassidy is our super-spunky, wonderfully awesome, bright and cheery, funny and fun-loving, beautiful inside and out girl. We celebrate her first five years and can't wait to see who she becomes in the next five! Happy Birthday, sweet baby girl!

We all love FALL!

And what's not to love?! Sunshine, yet cooler days. Fallen leaves that make big piles to jump in. Cozy sweatshirts and favorite boots. Ahhhhh, fall. 

Cassidy loves wheelbarrow rides - just like her mommy did as a kid!