Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

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When I think back to my favorite Thanksgiving memories, family is the one thing that pops out in my mind. The food ... not so much.

Picky eater = a plate full of bread. 

I'm trying to get better. I am. 

I love my family. I am blessed to have grown up in a very close, large extended family ... and we remain that way to this day. These are the kind of memories I want for my children.

As we sit here this morning, waiting for family to arrive and congregating around the television to watch the parade ...

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... I can't help but count my many, many blessings. There is just something about this day that makes me sit back and realize how incredibly full my life is.

I have three beautiful children ... two I gave birth to and one I flew half way around the world to find. As chaotic as they are, I smile every day because of them. They make me laugh when they do the craziest things. They teach me new things every day and I can't even begin to wonder where I would be without them ... without each and every thing the three of them have brought me.

I have the most wonderful husband ever. In two days, we will celebrate our 11th wedding anniversary and I see so many more in our future. Our bond is stronger now than it has ever been ... I am the luckiest girl alive to have a husband that brings so much to my life and to our family.

I have the best support system ever ... friends, family and my Down syndrome community. I have experienced so much personal growth over the years and it is all because of these people I have in my life. The impact each and every one of them have on me is hard to put into words ... and the bond that I have with so many of them is something I never thought possible.

Happy Thanksgiving ... gobble, gobble.

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Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Nika's 4th Halloween Birthday Bash

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It is going to be an annual event.

Nika's birthday. 

Halloween.

The annual Halloween Birthday Bash ... friends, family, food, beer, bonfire, games, laughter ... there is nothing like everyone you love the most coming together for one big bash!

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And costumes are not an option. It is Halloween, right?!

Why hello Thanksgiving dinner table ...

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Seriously, could they be any cuter?

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The games we played with the kids were such a blast. Mummy wrapping ...

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Did I mention costumes are not optional? Ha.

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Now everyone line up over here!

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Donut on a string ...

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Me and my momma ...

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Haha ... the Oreo game. So freakin funny!

This is my sister-in-law, Shay. She found this game for me, so she was our lucky one that got to show the kids what they had to do. The object of the game is to stick an opened Oreo to your forehead and use your facial muscles to move it down your face and into your mouth.

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And her brother ... ahem, my husband ... apparently thought she was nuts. Well, she is a little nuts, but that is why she and I get along so well! Ha.

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And the kids were quite amused by her as well.

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Get it, Shay!

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And then it was their turn ...

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Nobody was successful, but Maddy came the closest!

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Many thanks to everyone for helping us celebrate Nika's birthday ... unfortunately she was largely M.I.A. from the pictures ... she moves fast like that. Ha. 

Actually, she probably was over standing by the food table all night. Home girl lurves her some food.

*Images © Haik Naltchayan -- thank you Haik for photographing our special day for us!