Madeline Eve and Emersyn Kate: December 2011

So apparently I was in a picture-taking mood this month because when I looked back, I took lots. I also started (finally) playing with Photoshop which Chris gave me LAST year for Christmas. So before this Christmas, I figured I should learn a few things. I have barely scratched the surface of all Photoshop has to offer and I have a lot to learn, but it was fun to start editing some pictures.

I headed to the Baumgartners one Sunday afternoon to pick Maddie up after playing and decided to get some pictures of the kids with the last little bit of Fall color left on the trees. They have a great big yard with pretty views so it was a nice setting. The kids were less than interested in pictures and preferred to just climb on the rocks, but I managed to get some good shots. Emersyn is wearing my favorite combo - her "jeggings" (denim leggings) and boots!

These pictures are not edited.

These are the edited pictures

Mid-month we headed up to PA for my Nana's birthday and the Penn State vs. Nebraska game. My Aunt Lorraine got us tickets, so Chris and I enjoyed a kid-free day with Lorraine and Jeff tailgating in the RV, while the girls kept my aunts Patti and Marie on their toes at my Nana's house. They had a very busy day raking leaves, sliding down the big hill out back on trash bags, and playing with cousin Aiden. Maddie cried when we left saying she wished she lived at Great Nana's house. When I asked her why she said, "because I love the couch!" Oh, it's the small things. I hardly took any pictures, but I did get one of the great-grandkids with Great Nana on her birthday.

Bonus: Nebraska beat Penn State so Chris was happy!

Touchdown!

Some fun in the backyard on another nice November day. It cracked me up because both girls' outfits matched the playset they were playing on!

The weekend before Thanksgiving we headed to Lake Anna and stayed at Dre's parents' lake house. We did this the same weekend about 4 years ago and it was just 4 kids Marissa, Kaitlyn, Madeline, and Livia. This time we had all 9 kids Marissa (7), Kaitlyn (5), Madeline (5), Livia (4), Siyeh and Austin (almost 2), Weston (20 months), Emersyn (17 months), and Landon (6 months)! The kids are so good together. There was no fighting and other than keeping the toddlers from injuring themselves and arguing with the big kids about having their 5th cookie before dinner :) all went smoothly! We missed Paul B. who couldn't be there. Props to Michelle for braving it solo. But like we all say..."it takes a village"...so we all tried to help out. Thanks again Marcoulliers/Reeds for letting us enjoy your slice of paradise!

And finally, Thanksgiving weekend. Mary (Grandma), Samie, and I headed to a local winery the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was so warm and we had a good time hanging out. The girls and I were dressed and ready for VirginiaTech to once again beat UVA that afternoon!