There--- I made it all fit!

I happen to think our family is really a fun bunch. We are loving, wild, funny and you might even think we are a bit gross (the way we share food.) Here is a short video with a variety of clips from today---- it made me smile putting it together.

P.S. As I am typing this, Sveta wanted me to let all of you know that she is rubbing my feet.

Pomegranate Bond

Family has been in and out of our home all week---- what a nice thing this has been. This is the first holiday where all of my kids handled the stress and excitement with ease compared to past holidays. I am really proud of them. Since adopting, I have learned to not make such a fuss over holidays--- and I refuse to change my parenting anymore in order to mask my children's behavior if they did act out. I used to let the little things slide to save face with my relatives, but I soon realized that my children suffered for it. Yes, my children handled this Thanksgiving very well, but that doesn't mean that two of them didn't have timeouts or early bedtimes that night. When I say they handled the stress of the holiday well, I simply and triumphantly mean that there were no meltdowns, no sour-puss expressions, and no outrageous behavior indicative of any of them being on overload. YEAH!!!!

I have no doubt that all of my children are bonded to me, but that doesn't mean that I no longer do things that promote bonding.... especially during the holidays. I am forever finding the smallest things to make everlasting memories and strong ties to our family---- even something as simple as seeding pomegranates. This was one of my favorite times with my girls this Thanksgiving vacation because we talked, laughed when we squirted each other, and enjoyed the fruits of our labor.

Since we have so many pomegranates to seed, we have been having these pomegranate parties daily for the last four days. Different family members join us everyday. Today it was my favoritest Aunt in the whole wide world.

Another thing we have been doing together is working on Rachel's and Julia's new blogs. If you get a chance, please go and leave them a comment..... I know that they would love it. And why do they get to have a blog? They have proven to me that they are responsible and they are the only ones that have really expressed an interest.

Talk About Disappointing

Today we all got up thinking that John would be taking most of the kids to the snow. We all went about our morning preparing for it.

I got out all of the snow clothes, and John looked for a place to take the kids up on the Internet.

Even Adam was getting ready for the snow!

But this is what they got instead! Beautiful blue skies--- 6500 feet up in the mountains! Imagine seeing this wholeheartedly expecting snow. Still they had a great time!

They went to Sequoia National Park, home of the giant Sequoia tree.

I bet they got quite a few stares from other people because they were dressed up in snow clothes. He he he.

What a wonderful picture of Annalyn and Jonny.

Everyone had fun exploring the park.

This gives you an idea of just how big those Sequoia trees are!

What a breathtaking view!

After hearing that there was no snow, I wish I would have gone. Anna stayed home with me because we are both afraid of the cold----- Dennis stayed home too.

Thanksgiving's over?

I love when our family gets together. I am very thankful because I am one of those very blessed wives that loves her in-laws very much. My husband's family is my family and vice versa---- and both sets of parents get along with each other very well too! The best part is that for the last few years we have hosted the holidays in our home with both sets of parents---- so no travel!

Here is a look into what our Thanksgiving day was like----- a day late.


The preparations

Dennis getting ready to eat. "Put this bib on me already!"

Caught nibbling on the turkey neck! Mmmmm, my favorite part!

Andrew played the piano----- it made turkey carving a truly beautiful experience.

Adam and Julia are very competitive at tether ball. In fact, so am I!

Rachel can sure catch a football!

"Here, Rachel, catch this!" thinks William.

Visiting outside while the kids play ball.

Anna can sure ride the Trike! As for me--- I'm pathetic!

Here is my cousin Matt and his wife Jen----- we just love them!

Adam and Sveta could hardly wait to eat!

Just waiting for the Clearman's bread to get out of the oven.

There is our group shot! 21 people around the table! As we were eating, we all went around and shared what we were thankful for. It was very nice and almost all the adults shed a tear or two.

Cousin Matt and Jen have a red Mustang and it goes very fast. It is tradition that every time they come up, he takes all the older kids for a fast ride.

Doesn't Jonny look great in cousin Matt's hat?

Already time for desert. And boy was it good!

Gotta love those candid shots! Here I am stuffing my face!

Since I posted one of myself, I had to get one of John in too!

Again, I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving.

Smile or Else!

Trying to get our kids ready and pumped up for family photos can be like pulling teeth. Today was no different.

Dennis was a bit antsy, and there was Andrew crossing his arms again. John would definitely say that he got that habit from me.

Here I am telling the kids that they better smile or else! Just kidding, but I was telling them that they could make this a one minute ordeal or drag it out for thirty--- it was up to them! Gotta still love Andrew! Now, where is John? JOHN---- we're waiting!


The first picture we got was what is now our new header, and this is proof that the rest were downhill after it.


Not bad, but Jonny is squinting, and Dennis is not looking.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Hope your day was special in some way!

First off I've got to brag about our new header picture! I am so excited about it! My cousin took it for us and this was the first shot. The rest were downhill! I think it is going to be our Christmas photo!


Last night John played and played with the kids. He literally pooped them out!

We all got a good nights sleep to start our day bright and early.

Here are Julia, Rachel, and Sveta helping me out in the kitchen.

We took a break so that I could do all of the girls' hair. They enjoyed that!


Back to work. Julia and Sveta learned how to make stuffing.

Rachel peeled about 20 pomegranates with Anna's help. Doesn't Rachel look silly?

John worked with the kids pulling weeds in the front and backyard. As soon as they were done, he made sure they had some fun!

Daddy spoiled Dennis by pushing him on the go-cart. Don't worry, John was holding the back of his sweater so he would not fall over or get hurt. Dennis was squealing with delight and cried when the ride was over.

So, John let Dennis pretend to drive it himself. I bet he felt like such a big boy!

Time to carve the turkey. I must say that after carving a turkey earlier this week, it was much faster and easier today. And somehow I got way more dark meat this time...... go figure.

We had eight additional guests which made for a full house. My Mom and Dad came, John's parents, my two Aunts, and my cousin and his wife came. Everyone brought something which made for a rather light load of work. My Aunt Lisa is quite the pastry chef and brought Cream Horns and Napoleons. I was in heaven. For those of you who haven't had the privilege of trying Napoleons...... you are missing out!

Later in the evening Grandma found Dennis hiding behind the couch eating a cupcake. BUSTED! Of course, I grabbed my camera (thanks for the reminder Mom) so I could get this picture of him. Doesn't it read, "Oh-oh you caught me!"

Later in the evening Andrew came up to me and asked me to take his tooth out. This was his first tooth to come out so he was very excited.

We both thought, "How tiny."

I have tons more pictures thanks to my cousin Matt, but they are on the other computer. There are some really terrific pictures that I will bore you with tomorrow. Just kidding.... I think you will like them!

Have I mentioned lately how much I love my family?

Thanksgiving Preparations

Well, I survived another day with the kids home from school. Just kidding. They have been a huge help to me today getting the house ready for company tomorrow. We were able to clean the whole house today in about an hour because we all helped. It was really nice having so many hands. The rest of the day was free for them to do whatever.

Anna helped cut up the rest of the mushrooms for the stuffing tomorrow.

Doesn't she look cute in her makeshift apron?

Julia and Annalyn had fun making snowflakes and paper chains.

Sveta started this purse and Grandma finished it up for her.

I think it is adorable! Since I am on the topic of Sveta, I thought I would share these two short stories. I have all the things that I need to cook with tomorrow out on the counter and that includes Lipton Onion Soup Mix. Well, I also had mugs for hot chocolate out on the counter. Had I not been right there to help her, Sveta would have had hot onion soup instead of hot chocolate. Also, as I was cleaning the turkey so that I could slow roast it all night, Sveta came up to me and said, "Wow! That is a big pig Mom!" "No Sveta, that is a turkey. Remember when I cooked one two days ago?" I love how she can always make me laugh!

John got home early today. Since it was rainy, two square was played in our entry way----- to my dismay.

Tonight for dinner we had waffles. Rachel definitely won the award for most creative way to eat a waffle. She topped her waffles with butter, sweet milk, and pomegranate seeds.

Dennis had fun in his bath tonight! Afterwards, I rubbed baby lotion all over him and put on his cozy jammies.

He enjoyed cuddling up with Rachel and sitting on Daddy's lap.

I hope that all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! We all have so much to be thankful for!