More December Fun

 Marty likes to snuggle in the tightest spots, mainly on the couch. We long ago gave up on keeping him off. But it's kind of helpful in the winter because he keeps you warm!

I really want to learn more about Jewish traditions so we decided to celebrate Hanukkah. Well, sort of. I couldn't actually find anyone Jewish to teach us (in time- I have since found someone.) And when I looked at the stores I couldn't find a menorah.... so don't actually show anyone Jewish,but I made my own. I really don't want to offend anyone in the actual faith, but it was all I could do at the moment. I also made latkes for dinner. We watched a few videos of "this is what Hanukkah is" on youtube and called it a day. The same night, I knew everyone didn't just want to eat latkes, so I tossed in some frozen egg rolls and we finished the night by reading the last chapter of the Book of Mormon. Yep, it was an across the world night at the Wade household. We'll be better prepared next year!

Amy is always playing some kind of game with Marty. She makes his growl and he sounds ferocious! But she told me that when dogs sneeze while playing its them saying "Hey, I'm not going to hurt you. We are just having fun." (I actually didn't believe her so I looked it up, and she's right.) 

 I got rid of my orange Master Gardener Intern Badge and ........

 

 

And got my green permanent one!  I was pretty excited! Out of our class of 30, only 10 of us certified this year. Granted COVID had a lot to do with it, but I was pretty excited for all of us.

They even presented me with the "Newcomer Award." It's the intern that best excels at enthusiasm, excitement, who jumps into anything, and a whole lot of other really nice things they said about me. I guess one person gets it every year. In the gardening world we don't get a plaque- we get a birdhouse and seeds! Which is just perfect. (I actually felt bad for one guy as I do think he deserves it more than me, but I can't change it, so I'll just be honored they gave it to me.)

I can't remember what they were doing here..... I guess opening an advent gift.

It stared with Will who found the video camera. Then it moved onto Tyler who videotapes us all the time. I have to admit, it's kept them quite busy!

Sweet Adeline sent Amy and myself some fun, warm socks. 

This was just a gift I wrapped for Lee's secretary. She loves Harry Potter and her family is going to universal after Christmas, so we bought her a gift card to use there. It's wrapped in the HP outfit.

A friend sent me a book and Will decided to read it on our way home from school. He's not really a reader, so I had to take a picture to prove it.

While the kids were at school, I was wrapping gifts upstairs. Marty follows me everywhere so this made me laugh. He curled up on some random blankets while I was wrapping. He's like my 4th child.

Will's Game, SNOW and Our 2020 Tree

Will created a game for us one night. He had post-it notes all around the house and we had to do whatever he wrote. If we did it correctly, we got to keep it as a point. Whomever had the most points, won. It was fun. He had things like read a book, jump up and down, hug someone, all sorts of stuff.

Then we had SNOW. I couldn't believe it. They say it all the time, but I never believe them. It snowed pretty hard (for us anyway) all day. I think this actually happened on Nov 30th. So if we get snow, it definitely doesn't happen THAT early!

This was a really cool cloud one morning It's called a shelf cloud.

Many days I take Marty to pick up the kids. He absolutely loves it. So yes, I've become that person in the pickup line with my dog. He gets so excited when he sees the kids. His tail just goes crazy.

Lee found a really great MTSU store. It's locally owned and they have just about anything you could ever want at really great prices. We bought Christmas gifts for the kids. :)

Then we got a lot of RAIN. We have a one-lane bridge near our house. There are signs about it flooding, but in the summer there is sometimes a small trickle of water. So people always ask us if it really does flood. The answer is yes. (The bridge is about 5-6 feet up from the normal water level)

Then it was time for a Christmas Tree! We headed to our usual tree spot- Lowes! And picked out a nice Frasier Fur.

 So 2020, right? (with masks!)

Ah, the good old trusty van! I'm always hoping she makes it one more year! :) 

Tree decorated. Kid dressed as an elf.... Christmas is upon us!

 

Thanksgiving In Georgia

We headed to Georgia for our "Thanksgiving Tour" again this year. We might as well while we can, right? Who knows when things will be completely shut down again.We are so glad we did. I'm so grateful that we are taking a chance and making these memories. We would have missed out on so much if we hadn't. And just like the girls trip, we've been home for weeks and no one has a single symptom. So I'm even more grateful we 'took the chance.' 

The kids were supposed to get out of school on Weds. But because the schools were short on teachers and subs (mostly due to contract tracing) the school system gave the kids Mon and Tues off as well. Which worked out nicely as Mom and Dad were coming back from Anna's on Monday. They came by our house and then we all caravaned to GA together. 

Before we left, the boys had a lollipop tasting with the leftover Halloween Candy. They were funny. "Ooh this one is good!" "Ooh! This one is gross." "Oooh, this one makes your tongue blue..."

Once in Ga- we had probably the busiest Thanksgiving we've ever had. I wanted a new kitchen table, so so Lee and I headed to Ikea on Tuesday morning to buy it. I took a picture of this place setting because it's NAVY and I love it. :)

And look at my new, cool plant!

When we got home, we started ripping up carpet in the treehouse at mom and dad's. (They were going to lay down vinyl floor in it's place.)

We took a break to pickup Dad's new tablesaw from Jeff. That thing was heavy! (Says I who took the picture...) It took all 3 of them to push it up onto the trailer and a lot of laughter.

Mom turned on the table firepit for the kids that night. It was chilly, but it was fun.

On Wednesday, we started laying the floor. It's the same as the one we have, so Dad and I are experts by now. (eye roll) The kids enjoyed the day on the hammock. The hammock is beloved by ALL grandchildren. It's funny how they all ask for it and then spend hours and hours on it.

On Thursday we headed to Carrollton so spend Thanksgiving day with Lee's family. It was wonderful as well. Cindy always makes the best meals. 

The kids are always worn out on the way back to mom and dads!

On Friday we finished up the treehouse. We moved the tv and furniture around and we laughed at Dad's "method" for moving the pinball machine (he may be getting too told for this method. Sorry Dad.) It looks great though. Mom, Dad, Lee and I went on a "date" that afternoon to Costco, to buy a new loveseat for the treehouse and a few other errands. It was fun to doall that together.

Mom kept saying Marty could not get on the couch, but Dad kept calling him up there. He finally said, "Ah, there;s a blanket, and he likes me!" haha. Marty snuggled right up to him. We kicked off the Christmas season by watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.

Saturday it was time for us to head home. Between the stuff we bought at Ikea and stuff Dad was having us take to our house for Anna... .we needed the trailer. So we loaded it down. We didn't lose anything either, so that was nice.

We usually bring the van, but it doesn't have a trailer hitch, so we took Lee's car. Marty wasn't really a fan of the truck area so he climbed his way up to the kids laps. He really travels well, he just likes to be on someone.

 It was a wonderful Thanksgiving! We were busy, but a good busy!

The start of November and Lee's Birthday

The Halloween Haul. We always put it in one big bowl. Anyone can eat whatever they want whenever they want (for the most part.) In a few days everyone is over it and no one eats anymore. 

I subbed two days in Tyler's classroom. The 2nd day I brought a craft. The kids were cute and were so excited. 

Talana and I get out and bike ride as often as we can. The weather has been wonderful lately! 

Amy fell asleep at piano lessons one day (one of the boys were in their lesson. They all go back to back.) She rarely naps so it was a testament of how exhausted she was! 

I subbed in Will's class another day and got this sweet letter from Madden Moltz. 

We celebrated Lee's birthday! Karen came into town that weekend and we had a great time with her.  We started the day with Chick-fil-A (one of his favorites) and ended the day at a local restaurant named Toots.