It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

This year I have a huge amount of excitement surrounding Christmas. There are the "firsts" and the fun favorites from years past. But, I'm also very overwhelmed... This is the first time, in a long time, that I'm trying to do everything while being out of the house almost 30 hrs a week. This is the first time I'm hosting 20 people for Christmas! I can't wait to have all my siblings and my nieces and nephews, and parents here, but it's very nerve-wracking. I have parents that have taught me everything I know about planning and hosting a party, let's just say I have really big shoes to fill!!!

Thankfully I have kids that can quickly put it all back into perspective. The boys love Advent! They love the Luke 2 Christmas story, they love to put the Advent ornaments up, they love to take turns re-telling the story. There isn't a part they don't enjoy. Liv... Not so much. I'm hoping it's because she's only 2, that the importance of this time of year hasn't quite sunk in for her. If it has, she's really missed the mark and we are in really big trouble in the years to come. When we ask her who is "coming" (in reference to Advent), she gets a really big grin on her face, yells on the top of her lungs, "SANTA!", and then quickly adds, "with lots of babies for me!".

Thanksgiving fun!

My parents came to St. Louis for Thanksgiving. It was the first time in 30 years that they were not hosting. Talk about big shoes to fill!!!! I don't know if I did it as well as they have, but I had a lot of fun trying and hope to host again.

Mom and Olivia enjoying some cuddle time.


All four kids dressed up and ready for lunch.

An appetizer of Garrett's Popcorn.

The table(s) set and ready for an amazing lunch (if I don't say so myself).

Mom enjoying an afternoon nap. Apparently the football and ads couldn't keep her interest; she went off into the living room for some R&R.

Decking the halls!!!!!

Thanksgiving preparation

soup made
cranberries made
pecan pie made
pumpkin pies made
stuffing made
sweet potatoes made
apple sauce made
rolls made

Now we just have to wait until tomorrow to roast our turkey and make mashed potatoes!!!! YUMMY!

Every Thanksgiving preparation needs a fairy to help!

Better late than never.

Holloween was a lot of fun this year! All the kids really got into trick-or-treating, sharing candy (all kit-kats come to me), and enjoying their friends and neighbors. We had a weekend celebration here in our cul-du-sac. Liv mastered saying, "tick-o-teat!" It was so cute watching her knock on doors.

The boys have gotten to her!

Liv now sports a cape for most occasions.

Pumpkin carving fun!

Friday we had "Family Fun Night" like any other Friday. We washed, drew on, and carved pumpkins. For 2 adults and 4 kids, it wasn't too bad!


Maddox wanted nothing to do with the inside of his pumpkin! He drew a face, helped cut the face house, but refused to touch the inside of the pumpkin. He kept saying, "this is gross. This is so gross Dad! I am not touching pumpkin guts!"

Olivia worked very hard at cleaning out all of her pumpkin guts! She loved it.

The aftermath.

The finished product! The kids did a great job!!!!

Holloween preview

The cutest Supergirl and Robin!!!! Maddox was so excited to find a Robin costume (who cares that it is 4 sizes too big!).

Cooper and Nelson wanted to pose in their Batman and Superman costumes. Hopefully we will locate the necessary capes by next Sunday (they are in the house and were seen within the last week).

Travis and I will also be getting in on the Superhero fun. Travis will be donning his Green Lantern garb and I will proudly be sporting my Wonder Woman gear for some Trick-or-Treating fun.

Fun few weeks!

I've gotten into a great routine with working 3 days a week. Everyone seems to have adjusted well.
With the cooler weather we've been able to enjoy some great outside time on the deck, on the swing set, and with the neighbors. We live in the best neighborhood ever, SERIOUSLY!!!!!

In case anyone was wondering/worried. The dogs are doing great! Toby has mastered sleeping anywhere! At 11yrs old, he's finally not hyper 24/7, now it's just 24/5.
Tallie being the good calm protector!

Travis riding a mechanical bull at a "family circus" at a church in town. That entire day was amazing!!!! The kids spent 4 hours bouncing, tye-dying, eating, and giggling. The best part was, it didn't cost us a thing!!!!

Maddox celebrating his 4th birthday (it's crazy to think my baby boy is 4)

Maddox and all his "batman" friends.

First Day of School part II

Today Maddox and Olivia went to school. Maddox loved every minute of it. Olivia, not so much. She cried every single time the left the classroom, or she saw me. Friday will be better (I hope).

Labor Day weekend; almost perfect.

We decided to take full advantage of the long weekend and the beautiful weather! Travis labored by building a shelf in the front closet for the kids to put their backpacks. lunchboxes, and shoes. The boys liked the idea of making them beds.


Sunday was spent at church, napping, and then going to a birthday party. It was a perfect family day :)


Monday, we all slept in (relative term in this house, the kids let the sun rise before they rose). After breakfast (and before showers, this is important information for later) we loaded the kids up and headed to Grant's Farm. The kids loved riding the tram, petting the goats, getting their clothes eaten by the goats, going to the elephant show, petting a friendly camel, and being silly,goofy kids.

We got home in time for late afternoon naps and then made dinner and enjoyed eating on the deck. After a family game of soccer we had everyone go inside to take showers and baths. That's when things started going downhill... We had no hot water. Travis went into the basement and was greeted by 50 ish gallons of water (the contents of our water heater). After cold showers, frantic phone calls (a girl is never too old or too far away to need her Daddy), and a trip to Home Depot we have a guy coming tomorrow to bring us a brand new water heater.

new routine.

School started 2 wks ago for the older 2. I had orientation and open house this week for my new job as a pre-K teacher. The younger 2 and I start school on Wednesday. I have to say, I like having the structure and routine. I'm getting a lot more accomplished only being home 2 days a week. I don't like having to be showered and dressed before noon, that's taking a lot of getting used to.

Happy Anniversary (ies)!!!!

Erin and I have had a lot in common since we met 15 yrs ago. Saturday, we added one more thing to the list. We will share a wedding anniversary from this day (well August 21) forward. I am not objecting at all!!!!

Erin made a BEAUTIFUL bride. Her sister did an AMAZING job capturing the day.






All of my kids were thrilled to witness the wedding. (Nelson was excited too, I just don't have a picture of him from that day)

Happy Birthday, Olivia Lynn!

Olivia turns 2 today. Time has really flown by! So much has changed. Her hair is getting blonder and blonder, she's talking more and more, she used to be content just lying on pillow and watching her brothers play, now she has to be in the center of it!

Liv, thank you for your annimation! We love watching you play dress up, loving your dolls, and chasing after your big brothers.

Happy Birthday, baby doll!

First day of school!

This morning was very exciting! Cooper and Nelson started school. Grandma Nelson got up with us and made pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Then we all marched to the school (since we live less than a mile from it, we no longer can take the bus). The boys were very excited to get into their classrooms and meet their teachers. Tonight we are going to celebrate at http://pizzastreetinc.com/ and then Travis and I are going to go meet Cooper's teacher and find out what to expect this year. (We'll meet Nelson's teacher on Tuesday)

Olivia's birthday party.

This coming week is going to be one of the busiest weeks we've had in a long time. We are going to have the first day of school, a second birthday, a wedding to end all weddings, and an 11th wedding anniversary. The festivities start Wednesday and go until Saturday. We decided because of all that craziness we would celebrate Olivia's second birthday before her birthday, rather than after. We had a great time with family and friends!




The happy Ferris Family!

All 4 kids ready to party hard!

Travis made an amazing castle cake for Liv.

All ready for presents!!!

Olivia sitting with all of her presents.

I was really excited about her first Barbie dolls!!!

Being the center of attention; and soaking it all up!

She doesn't really look like she's having fun, but she loved every second of her birthday!!!!