S'mores

 Last night we went to the fire pit on the patio to make s'mores.

 Aunt Susie and Uncle Scott had fun with the girls.

 Sarah toasting her marshmallow.

 We had it down.  Susie assembled the crackers and chocolate and everyone else roasted marshmallows.

 Abby snuggled up with Uncle Scott

It was a great night for a fire and s'mores.

Gak

 Izzy, Clay, and Liz brought over the supplies to make Gak.  They had made it at Izzy's school family fall festival.  If you want to try it click here for the recipe. 

 Everyone had fun trying different colors.

 Who knew Elmers Glue, water, borax, and food color could be so fun?

 We had lots of fun.

 Uncle Scott helped Izzy get her's stirred up.

 Abby let Uncle Clay help her.

 Sarah decided to make some too.

 The finished product

 You can see all the different colors on the plate by Abby

It was a fun activity enjoyed by adults and kids too.

Calvert Marine Museum

 On Saturday we went to the Calvert Marine Museum.  The girls love going there.

 Izzy and Abby were pointing out different fish they liked.  Abby cracked everyone in the area up when she announced, "I like that one, and I'm going to put it on my Christmas list!"  She was so sincere.

 The girls love looking for the sea life in the tanks.

Abby was counting jellyfish.

 Then outside for Izzy and Abby's favorite part, the otters.  Bubbles and Squeak were swimming and splashing around.

I like the lighthouse at the museum.

Christmas on the Square

 After dinner at Okada, we headed to the square in Leonardtown for Christmas on the Square.  Izzy and Abby posed by the big Christmas tree.

 I tried to get them to pose in the front of the tree.  Izzy willingly agreed, but something else captured Abby's interest.

 Izzy found a cute Barbie tree. Abby found a tree she liked, but she preferred to sit in the window sill.  Aunt Susie found these cute magic wands for the girls.

The girls stopped to check out the Nativity scene.  It wasn't too cold and we had a fun time.  Then we headed back to the house for pie and ice cream.

Thanksgiving Weekend

My sister, Susie, and her husband, Scott, came to visit us for Thanksgiving weekend.  Izzy and Abby were so excited to see Uncle Scott and Aunt Susie again.  Izzy and Susie settled down to read a book.

 Abby chose to recline across the room and listen to Aunt Susie read. 
Susie and Scott flew in Thanksgiving morning and get to stay until Tuesday.  We plan on having a great Thanksgiving weekend!
I roasted a turkey and Gary smoked a turkey in his smoker.  It is the first time he used his smoker and the turkey was awesome.  The girls and I made mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, and we had baby carrots and celery sticks.  I made pumpkin pies and Tony's mom brought a chocolate pie over.  We had a great meal and yummy leftovers later.

 Liz, Abby, and Izzy played games for awhile too.
Sarah and Tony went out at midnight for some Black Friday shopping while we stayed home with Abby.  They found some great buys.  Sarah went out again later on Friday to pick up some more items.  I worked out a great deal with her.  I watched Abby and she did some of my shopping.  I think I got the best end of the deal! Liz and Izzy came over too, so I had both my little granddaughters home.  Izzy and Abby helped me make more pumpkin and chocolate pies.   We had a great time.

 On Friday night, we went to Okada to celebrate Liz's 30th birthday.  Her friend, Steffie, joined us in the celebration

 Those two are so silly together.

 Abby has been watching The Little Mermaid and was excited to find a "dinglehopper" (fork) by her plate. Yes, she used it just like Ariel!  I love three year olds, especially my Abby!

 Susie and I

 Liz and Clay

 Our chef was fun.

Liz getting ready to catch a bite of shrimp.  We had a great time.

Painting the Foyer

 Gary decided it was time to repaint the foyer

 Abby decided to supervise Papa

Finished walls

Abby Dancing

 Abby loves to dance and be a princess.  She has some princess dress up shoes and wands. 

 She loves to put on shows and have us watch her dance.

 She really gets into her dancing.

Love my little dancing girl!

Catching Up

 

I haven't blogged for a long time.  We have all been hit by a respiratory infection.  I'm on my second round of antibiotics and hope to feel better soon!  Gary and Tony raked the leaves into a huge pile.  

 We always burn at least one round of the leaves on the garden and till the ashes in the soil.

 Tony felled a tree and cut it up.

 I love the beautiful fall leaves.

 Time to clean up after the deck construction

I love my new deck and screened porch

 It is all cleaned up under the deck now.

 Abby and I made brownies

 Clay, Izzy, and Abby playing

 Daddy and daughter snuggle time :-)

 Leaves need to be raked again already.

Looking out at the side yard.  I am so grateful for my life.  I love my family and enjoy watching my children being parents. I love being a grandparent and having my grandchildren close and watching them grow.