Tom Sawyer's 2014

Yesterday we went to Tom Sawyer's to pick our Christmas tree. I know Maddie has been 11 years in a row because I went when I was pregnant with her and we've been every year since. It's the same situation every year. We never agree on a tree but this year I was less worried about the tree because I have learned you can always make it look good once you get home and decorate it. The selection was ok but there weren't a lot of trees big enough to satisfy the kids. We did finally make our pick and got our annual photo.

Of course the silly shot was the only one that had everyone looking in the right direction.

Blake and Sadie on her first trip to the tree farm.

Such a daddy's girl!!

One strand of the lights no longer worked so the bottom of the tree's a bit bare. I'll fix it later after a trip to the store. On tap for today, grocery shop for next week, finish packing for Colorado, hopefully watch our Tigers win, and just spend the day with my family.
I'm leaving at 8 in the morning to catch our flight to Colorado. I think I'm most looking forward to being able to sleep in and relax in the hot tub. No lunches to pack, Sadie's to take out, school drop off and pick up lines, no errands, no homework, just relaxing.

~Tara

Thanksgiving Day

We're having our traditional non-traditional Thanksgiving meal. Meaning we have turkey with our extended family some time other than Thanksgiving Day, so for our family we do something different. This year it is Beef Stew by Edie. I'm currently half way through preparing this meal and the smell is heavenly and the preliminary taste is also. We're having mashed potatoes, buttermilk cornbread, and strawberry cupcakes with homemade cream cheese icing that Maddie made especially for her dad. They are his all time favorite. And since he was on duty today, he gets a little special treatment.

There is much to be thankful for this year. While walking this morning, I couldn't help but reflect on those things that mean the most to me and that come to the front of my mind on days like today. I am blessed beyond what I deserve with a comfortable home that I love dearly. We have the luxury of choosing what we will eat each day, warmth, clothing of choice, a nice bed to rest in, and we have the chance to share what we have with others. Each of us have the health, ability, and desire to work and provide for our family. We have family around us that love and support us. Our kids are healthy and happy, most days. The list could go on and on... so on days when its easy to complain about something in life, this post will serve to speak truth back into a place where we may have become discouraged and somewhat hopeless.

These pictures sum up all I'm thankful for. And on a side note, I'm packing up for a trip to Colorado with my mom. We will have one week of fun and relaxation... something we have never experienced together.

~Tara

Long Family Thanks-mas

Thanks-mas... that's what Maddie called our weekend gathering of the Long family. We usually always combine our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations into one event. However, each year it becomes more and more difficult to schedule the weekend for it. It was a little early but we rolled with it and here's some of the highlights.

Cooper got a Batman toy and played all weekend with "his Blakey." There was four wheeler riding and football throwing. Don't let that Gamecock shirt fool you, Cooper decided he was going to play football for the Clemson Tigers!! As long as Blake will come watch him, that is.

Philip and Lily got new LeapPad 3's. Lily overcame her fear of Sadie this weekend and would even lay down face to face beside her.

It's a little sad when your youngest child moves into the category of asking for and getting money as her Christmas gift. Trinity and Maddie had fun together all weekend. We just wish we lived closer so they could see more of each other.

MJ got lots of legos, his favorite. Notice our tiny tree in the background. That borrowed wooden tree was the best I could do for a mid-November attempt at Christmas decor.

The girls also got these really cool bows that shoot foam arrows that light up and whistle. They were awesome in the dark.

Lily and Uncle Harold worked on getting her Leap Pad set up...

while Colsen got loved on by Uncle Bryan. This is the most precious face ever. I hope despite the crowded quarters, cool weather, lack of smores over the fire in the fire pit, and the squabbles that always happen among cousins, that all the kids felt loved on and had a great time together. That's what it's all about anyway.

On a side note, Bryan fried up the best turkey we've ever had and afterward declared his injection recipe top secret. It was really good, so good the turkey was completely gone and the ham was hardly touched. I am sure we have a Thanks-mas tradition now.





~Tara