more fall and a little anticipation...

i took so many pictures this year on our michigan fall trip, i have back-up posts to post before the influx of christmas posts!!!

i love when i have an abundance to share rather than not enough.

i wish i could share the smell of a cool, crisp, michigan fall day along with this picture...

...it is a sweet and distinct smell when the leaves start to change.

LOOK, lights!! getting ready for Christmas early! if you look carefully, you can see red berries on the tree...so festive.

our kids favorite thing to do in michigan in the fall...

ooh, that looks fun!

maybe mommy will try that!!! (jeff in background, "Heidi, that pile will NOT cushion your fall. gather more leaves first!") mommy ignores jeff suggestion. i can do this. what's the big whoop?

okay, that hurt a little. putting on brave face in front of jeff:)

mommy gets a boosie for her boo-boo from sweet beckham. always looking out for me!

fuzzy crocs!

evie couldn't run and jump in the leaves, but she had fun watching her older cousies.

loved our fall fun but moving on to the anticipation of thee holiday this year!

kelle's beautiful post threw me into christmas mode full throttle...i was trying to push it back until after thanksgiving, but her words and pictures got me where it hurts and now all i want is garland and twinkle lights looped around my banister-we have one this year!!!! gifts under a perfectly trimmed tree-perfect in the toddlers-decorated-with-love-kinda-perfect, excitement in my kids faces, and nightly questions of what happened, "the night before christmas when all through the house..."

new traditions and new memories are in the works. can't wait for it all to begin. one day after thansgiving baby! we may even start thanksgiving night.

mr. jingles will arrive that day (santa's elf sent to watch over p&b to be sure they are being more nice than naughty) more on Mr. Jingles later. we will listen to christmas tunes...i love all christmas tunes, but the old school stuff like burl ives takes me waaaay back! then, we'll trim our tree, unwrap handmade ornaments made years ago with tiny hands, elmer's glue, and glitter...while feeling grateful and blessed that we are sharing these moments together as a family- making mental goals to live better for myself, my babies, and my family.

i just love this time of year!