Thanksgiving............Blessing 47

We spent Thanksgiving in Tribune this year. It was a crowded house but as always a good time. I think we counted about 24 people altogether. The weather was very nice so we spent alot of time outside.

Here is Jackson, Thad and Tatum sitting by the pond.

We went for walks down to Dixon Drug almost everyday! The kids had fun picking out toys and walking back to Papa and Grandma's house. We also went to the park a few times. We hit up the black Friday sales at Colleen's Antiques and found a few good deals!

The kids took alot of baths. Some days they took 3 baths a day! The bathtub could hold more kids but they all had fun splashing around and playing in the water.

We even got to watch a couple trees being cut down across the street. We had a nice front row seat to the action.

I didn't take very many pictures this time, I guess I was too busy chasing Thad around! He is definately a Mama's boy and said Mama about 500 times a day! You had Thad yelling Mama the whole time and Maddix yelling when the other kids got to close to his food or toys! Tatum who loves Dora would act like she was Dora and would say "Do you see the red ball....is this the red ball, say red!!!!!" Josh wanted to be in the car driving and watching his movies and the other big kids played video games or played outside in the fort. It was a fun time and we all ate way too much! Wayne and Kathy had all the meals covered and baked cookies, pies, cakes, etc. I think I gained about 5 lbs! Even though the big boys watched football the entire time and us girls didn't get our lifetime movies we still had fun!

We have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We are thankful for Jesus, Emma, Thad's health, our family, our health, and all the little things we take for granted. Thanks to Wayne and Kathy for allowing all 24 of us to destroy your house and eat all the food!

We weren't the only ones who were exhausted after the long weekend. Chauchi and Mia always get to go to Grandma's house and this is Chauchi on the way home. He was very tired and has been sleeping ever since!

Avery Jade Knopp........Blessing 46

My brother and his girlfriend Alicia had a baby girl today!!! Avery Jade Knopp was born at 10:59 am on November 20th. She weighed 6 lbs 2 oz and was 18.5 inches long. Alicia and Avery are both doing great! Congratulations to Mike and Alicia on your precious little girl!!!

Blessing 45

Both Adam and I got the day off today. The day started out a little rough. Thad wanted an apple so I got one out and started cutting it up. He saw me cutting it and ran off crying to the living room. He didn't want me to cut it up, he wanted to eat it whole. After we got over that ordeal he was happy again. After that we went swimming at the Y. Thad is a little water bug and loves jumping off the side of the pool! He didn't want to jump in our arms, he wanted to jump beside us in the open water! Daddy even dunked him! I was a little scared and of course Thad was saying "one more!"

In the afternoon we all went outside to rake the leaves. After we got them in a nice neat pile, Thad would run over and jump in them. He was having a good time!

I had to do the traditional fall picture with Thad sitting in the leaves. Here is the picture from today...........

.......and here is the picture from last November! What a little chunk he was!

After all the playing in the leaves he decided he would help daddy clean them up.

It was a great day to spend together. One more day of work this week and then a long weekend for Thad and I!

We also want to recognize Veteran's Day and say thank you to all who serve our country.

Emma Renee Younger

Today is 3 years since our little Emma went to be with Jesus. We miss her everyday but we know she is whole, healthy and in a safe place. My Aunt Mary gave us a book after Emma passed away called "Mommy Please Don't Cry...There Are No Tears In Heaven" by Linda Deymaz. She wrote this book after her daughter passed away. I hadn't read it since she gave it to me. I picked it up the other day and read it again.

It starts by saying Mommy, please don't cry a beautiful Angel carried me here. I met Jesus today Mommy! He cradled me in his big, strong arms. He made me feel so happy inside.

Mommy, please don't cry...Heaven is wonderful! Did you know the streets are made of gold, real gold! I have lots of friends, Mommy. We run and play, we giggle and laugh. I can't wait to show you my secret hideouts! Mommy please don't cry...when I fall it doesn't hurt! There are no tears in Heaven. I've met a man named Noah. He told me about his big boat. All the animals and the very first rainbow. Have you heard of Noah, Mommy? Mommy, please don't cry...we have lots of parties here; with streamers and hats, and the best chocolate cake ever! When its time to rest Angels tuck us in.

I never get scared Mommy, there is no darkness here! Jesus is the light of Heaven. Mommy, please don't cry...the Angels are always singing. I love to sing with the Angels! You'd be proud of me, I have a pretty good voice. I must have gotten it from you.

(This is Emma's singing picture!)

There is a river, Mommy, in the most beautiful garden you could ever imagine...and a huge tree with yummy fruit. The Angels call it the tree of life. Mommy, it's so wonderful to be alive in Heaven! Mommy, please don't cry...sometimes I just like to be my myself. That's when I think of you. Someday Mommy we will hold each other tight! Then you will cradle me in your arms, and stroke my hair...and once again our hearts will beat together. Mommy, please don't cry...I'll wait right hear for you.

Knowing Emma is in Heaven gives Adam and I peace, comfort and faith. She watches over Thad eveyday and keeps him safe. He knows who Emma is and loves her very much. Emma, you are special in so many ways. You showed us what love is and brought us all closer together. You give us hope. You bring joy to our lives just knowing you. You have touched so many peoples lives who you never even met. We love you and can't wait to be with you again.

The Ronald McDonald House in Colorado Springs built a garden beside the house. It is called the Healing Garden.

Here is the memorial wall where they post the tiles.

We went in May to a place where we could design the tiles for the memorial. It was recently put up in the Healing Garden. Here is Emma's tile.

Fun at the Park

It was another nice day today so we all went to the park! We tried out a new park down the street and Thad had a blast! It was a smaller park but still lots of fun.

This was the perfect slide for Thad, it held him in place and he didn't go flying off at the end. He started off going down the right way but realized how much fun it was to turn around and go on his belly!

After the first time going down on his belly he was on the ground and went to stand up and knocked his face on the bottom of the slide. This was not fun, he was mad at the slide just for a minute until he climbed back up the stairs and went over and over again. Everytime he would say"one more" with his little finger up by his face. That is his new saying, he wants to do everything just one more time!!

This is his shiner he got from the slide. I thought he hit his forehead but later discovered it was his cheek! You can't see it very well in the picture but it is a bruiser!

He is a tough little guy!

In honor of K-State winning..........

Fun Friday..........Blessing 44

Thad and I had a great day today! The weather was beautiful for a November day! We played outside alot today and Thad loves sitting by the pumpkins or "balls" as he calls them.

We swept out the garage and Thad was a big help. He started off with his little broom but wanted the one I had.

We played in the back yard so Chauchi wouldn't feel left out! Thad decided he wanted to sit at his picnic table.

The day wouldn't be complete unless he played with his truck Grandma Kathy gave him.

After his nap we went for a walk. On the way back he got out of the stroller and pushed it back home. We had a great day today and I'm so glad I get to spend Friday's with my boy.

Halloween in Russell

We had a nice weekend in Russell. We went back for my cousin's wedding and stayed for trick or treating. All the grandkids were there and had a great time together. We bought Dawson and Thad the same outfit for the wedding. They looked very cute in their matching outfits. Everyone thought they were brothers and kept getting them confused!

Papa made a good horsey and the kids loved jumping all over him!


Our traditional picture of the kids. They have a fun time laying in this circle. At least this time Thad wasn't hitting the girls laying down.

Thad was Elmo for, Hannah was Snow White, Macie was a princess, Dawson was Spiderman and Shayna was a witch! They had such a good time together. There was a parade on Saturday afternoon where all the kids walked down Main Street in their costumes. Thad did pretty good walking in the parade but needed carried some. We all walked to the school and paraded around the gym showing off the Halloween costumes.

Thad was a pro at trick or treating. He started off taking a little piece of candy and by the end of the night he was taking 3 or 4 snicker candy bars!!!!! He had a fun time and liked knocking on the doors. We stopped by the fire station to see Papa Steve and got to climb in the firetrucks.

This was all the candy Thad got. It's mostly for Adam and I but he likes his suckers! Now Adam and I are sick to our stomach from all the sweets!


It was a fun Halloween especially with Dawson, Shayna, Hannah and Macie. Thanks Grandma Luci and Papa Steve for taking good care of us all!!!!!