"Tis the Season

This is how our family home evening started. Maggie was really enjoying the tree and lights. We were about half way through decorating the tree when Maggie reached far forward and pulled the tree down on top of her. Needless to say, we will finish the tree tomorrow.

Thanksgiving

We stayed in Lubbock for Thanksgiving and spent the day with some friends. We have so many things to be grateful this year: Mike doing well in school, great friends and supportive family, the most adorable daughter that make us laugh, the peace and joy of the gospel, the ability to walk (I'm out of my boot!!), and so much more. Maggie turned 8 months today and to celebrate, we let her try most of the dinner. She ate turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, and rolls. She loved it all.

Spending a day with Brooke

Brooke is one of Maggie's favorite person. Since she only works in the morning, we spend a lot of time together. This week we went to the park to play in the leaves. Maggie is getting more and more playful.

Family Date to the Park

Mike got home early from the clinic so we headed over to the park to feed the ducks. Maggie loves the duck, and we heard that Dupree park has a bunch of geese. Oh, it did. 

November Fun

November has been a fun month so far. I was able to go to Houston with a really good friend to work for The Color Run. Mike watched Maggie for the weekend and had some good Daddy-Daughter time. It was a bit of a challenge because he had a test that coming Monday, so Maggie spent some time at different friends' houses (she loves other kids, so I don't think she minded). When I got back, we went on a family date to play golf. The golf course was nice enough to let us push Maggie around in a stroller (it also helped that we were the only ones playing). 

Maggie also got her first two teeth. We have heard all these horrible stories of teething, but she was only grumpy for a day. We really hope that she keeps this sweet personality all through her teenage years. The only time that she will show off her teeth is when she is eating or crying (hence the tear).

I finally finished the advent day calendar that I started last November. I have never been known to finish projects, so it was a good feeling to get this one done. I hand sewed all the felt scenes on. There was probably an easier way to do it, but it was a nice relaxing project. Now onto stockings.

Progressive Dinner

Our monthly activity for the Alliance (Medical Spouse Support Club) was a progressive dinner. I volunteered to host the appetizer course. When we were planning it, I was thinking 12-14 people, but 27 people RSVP. Yikes! Our apartment is too small for that many people. Last minute, I decided to have it outside under the gazebo. It turned out perfect. Here are some pictures of the food. Sorry that they are good photos. I was trying to take them before people ate them all. 

Sister Stratton from the ward made me the center piece, and let me borrow the serving trays.

These pears were a hit. Recipe here: http://www.sweetpotatochronicles.com/wordpress/2011/12/entertaining-week-pears-with-goat-cheese-and-pistachios/

I had baguettes stuffed with hummus or yogurt dip with different vegetables popping out.

This is capresse on toasted sourdough.

Halloween

For Halloween, Maggie and I helped with the Alliance bake sale in the morning (she got some many compliments on her costume at the hospital) and went to the ward Trunk-or-Trick in the evening. We had Brooke Cowles join our family since Steve had to work at Free Clinic. She is pretty much Maggie's second mom anyways. 

Forth Worth Trip Part 2

We went to the library one day, and on the way home, both Spencer and Maggie were reading their books. 

We spent almost every night outside-got to love Texas for that. Maggie loved watching the kids jump and even got to jump once herself.

These are the crazy geese that will eat your first born if you're not careful. I tried getting one to eat bread off my boot, but started hissing at me instead. I didn't know that geese can hiss, but it is something that I wish not to witness again-quite scary. 

Maggie can be in the grumpiest of moods, but the moment we are outside, she is all smiles.

Lots of amazing food made by Kelli and Spencer.