Anna's poem

Anna came home with this poem that she wrote at school...

Anna
Happy, Kind, Strong
Who wishes to climb Mount Fuji with her Dad
Who dreams of losing a tooth
Who wants a little sister
Who wonders if she can climb a tall tree
Who likes to play with Emily
Who likes to eat carrots
Who is afraid of the bed falling on her head
Who believes that leprechauns are real
Who worries about animals becoming extinct
Who likes to listen to "Firework" by Katy Perry
Who likes to see her Dad
Who plans to be a veterinarian
Anna Smith

Interesting...isn't it? I should do this for my children each year! It would be so fun to read them later! :)

Lately...

Last week was a busy one...lots going on here and lots to be thankful for. After a very long few weeks, hospital stays, biopsies, etc. we are finally able to put this behind us! Chad had surgery Monday, and we received the best news possible Thursday, NO CANCER! My mom was here with us all week, and we were so thankful for her as well. I feel so thankful for all of our friends and family, and all of the thoughts and prayers from everyone! Thanks! Now we can focus on enjoying this holiday season!

Anna went to a "fancy" themed birthday party Friday night, and she was so excited to have her hair curled and be dressed up! We also made a gingerbread house with leftover Halloween candy that I had saved! We braved shopping on Saturday and finished up a lot of odds and ends for Christmas! It was fun and festive!

Christmas Tree Farm

On Friday we headed out to the Christmas Tree farm to find a tree. We had gorgeous weather, a hayride, bounce house and tons of fun picking a tree! Anna and Henry love all holidays...they helped make a centerpiece for Thanksgiving, grocery shopped and cooked all day Wednesday and thoroughly enjoyed picking a tree!

Anna woke up Friday morning EARLY and said, "Mommy, we get to go pick a tree today!"

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
We are so thankful for many things, but most importantly for our families and friends. We are lucky to have so many loving and kind people in our lives, and I only hope I can repay love and kindness back to them tenfold. I hope everyone enjoyed their turkey! My kids especially enjoyed their shirley temples this year!

Happy Birthday Chad!

Saturday was Chad's birthday! Anna and Henry were so excited to celebrate with him! We woke up and made a yummy breakfast for him (his favorite homemade monkey bread). They also couldn't wait to watch him open his presents. Birthdays are so much fun with children! Here's to a great last year of your 30's Chad! :)

Sunday we went to a UNC basketball game! Everyone had a great time!

Costa Rica

Last week Chad and I went to Costa Rica again! We met some of Chad's oldest and dearest friends, Mike and Martha, in Atlanta and then we all flew down! It was so much fun! Mike celebrated his 40th the first night we were there with mariachi bands and the Razorback game on at the outdoor restaurant!

We relaxed, explored and did quite a few activities this time. It was a great week!





Typical Costa Rican road...beautiful scenery, bumpy and dirt!

Black sand beach!


Dinner at the house, Vista Magnifica

Lazy Lizard Catamaran ride

Happy Halloween

Yee Haw!!! Happy Halloween from both of our buckaroos! Anna and Henry had such a fun Halloween this year! Henry wore his costume to school, complete with his horse, Shadow! He put the horse in the stall (cubby) during classroom time, and he was so excited! We had a vocabulary parade at Anna's school, and then we went out trick or treating in our neighborhood! We ended the evening passing out candy at our front door! That may have been Anna and Henry's favorite part!