Spaghetti Lesson 101

Gigi & Papa came down to spend time with Riley & so Chad & I could head to a wedding reception of some great friends of ours, Ariene & Danny Naber.

Dinner went well!

Gingerbread Houses, Cookies & A Tea Party

Since we missed out on seeing everyone for Thanksgiving, Riley & I made a day trip to Springfield as soon as she was feeling better. We started our day off with a trip to a local hardware store! Why you wonder? Well, the Lowe's puts on cute activities which are hands on for the kids & on this particular day they were offering gingerbread houses. We met Gigi, Papa, Jade, Hayden & Dekota there. After that, we ventured to Pleasant Plains to make cookies with the same crew. We ended our day trip at Papa & Ama's house in Rochester for a tea party! Ama & Riley started the party off, which I have no pictures of, & Papa L. was thirsty upon his arrival home from church. He taught Riley a few of the important "Tea Time Techniques!" It was a really great day from beginning to end!

(Side note: not even sure what day it was, but Chad had gone downstairs & was missing for awhile.... he came thundering up the stairs laughing at himself.... which I love! & had put together for his girls his best impression of Santa! You decide, did he pull it off? **Riley wanted nothing to do with him & cried.)

Thanksgiving-At Home....

This year, we celebrated Thanksgiving at home. Not on purpose though! Riley was diagnosed with H1N1 the Wednesday before, after being pretty sick for a few days & we were told to go on lock down so it could finish running it's course. Fortunately, those who did have contact with her all avoided the ailment! That did mean, no James' for the holiday & no cookie bake the day after! Bummer! Riley does like to cook, so she & her Daddy made cookies at home. We also took the time to put up the tree. We had lots of help this year!!!! We also made our Christmas cards at home & I will add a few that did & didn't make it onto the cards!