Adam's artwork...

Adam has been working with one of his sergeants to get the community center basement ready for Christmas Village. He has been doing a lot of Christmas paintings and I went on Friday to take a few pictures of them because I think he did a GREAT job!

The Christmas Village Sign (unfortunately not a very good picture)

Santa Clause (he is inside the room where they do the name tags (if you have ever been))

The Grinch

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Elf

My favorite...Frosty!

Christmas Village is December 3-6 in Laconia. It is free for anyone to come through and visit Santa Claus! Adam and I will be there volunteering if you want to join us!

I LOVE to bake...

Tonight I began my baking for Thanksgiving. I made oatmeal whoopie pies and regular whoopie pies. I also made brownies, which I will add a chocolate mint topping to tomorrow. (Note: I did not make the oatmeal cookies. I have found all natural oatmeal cookies at the grocery store that you stick on a cookie sheet and bake. They taste way too good to bother making my own from scratch!)

Tomorrow I will be making my first attempt at pumpkin pie. I have actually never even eaten pumpkin pie; it is something Adam likes, so I want to make it for him. Hopefully it goes well! I will also make an apple pie, gluten free brownies for Tony, and peanut butter cups.

I'm thankful for...

I may be a bit behind, but I want to share one thing that I am thankful for for each day in November...

I am thankful for:

1. My loving husband who puts up with all of me (believe me it isn't always pleasant)!

2. My two English Springer Spaniels who bring a smile to my face everyday.

3. My job as a fourth grade teacher. I love that I can say I go to school everyday instead of I'm going to work!

4. Adam loving his job and that he has job security.

5. Owning (well paying for) a house since I was 23.

6. The bazillion cords of wood in the backyard that will allow our house to be warm all winter long!

7. Tori, she makes me laugh and is the joy of our family.

8. That my family is only 1.5 hours away and I see them often.

9. Having the same best friend for 27 years.

10. Having all of my grandparents alive, healthy, and very much a part of my life.

11. Experiencing a loss that has allowed me to realize what I really want.

12. Being healthy!

13. Loving to cook/bake and actually being good at it!

14. Have a place of employment that respects what I have to say and do.

15. The friendships that I have developed while living in central NH.

16. Earning my M.Ed (even though I owe sooo much money)

17. Being able to make a difference in children's lives.

18. Being able to share good books with good friends and family.

19. Long walks with Sarah.

20. Having the opportunity to volunteer for various organizations.

21. Finally finding a good fitting pair of jeans!

22. Spending Thanksgiving with some of my favorite people (and Adam has it off!)

23. Having Adam teach me that having people just out of reach is better than not having them around at all.

Fall...where did it go?

The fall past by very quickly this year, and much of it was definitely a learning and healing season for Adam and me. Just when we thought we were going to get the opportunity to start a family, the opportunity was taken away. Everything happens for a reason and we have embraced that thought and will hopefully be given this experience again in the near future, but with a much more rewarding ending. While much of the fall passed up by, we did get to experience some of my favorite season with apple picking and a trip to the Fryburge Fair (I have no idea how to spell that, but it is my favorite fair!)

Tony and Tori at the fair!

My dad on a tractor at the fair. (I can't flip the picture :o( )

Molly getting into the fall spirit!

Adam and me apple picking.

I promise I won't take three months to post my next blog!