Happy Thanksgiving/ Happy Birthday Lauren

This Thanksgiving was a double hitter. Lauren's birthday fell on the same day. We had a great time celebrating.

During the month of November we created a "Thankful Tree". We'd write what we were thankful for on leaves and by the end of the month, our tree had full foliage.

Our Thankful Tree

In Lauren's preschool they held a "mock" Thanksgiving. Lauren was so excited that she asked for her birthday dinner to be a Thanksgiving dinner! No problem!

For Thanksgiving we were invited to a friend's house. At first, I was hesitant because she asked me to bring dishes I don't normally make on Thanksgiving, but it turned out to be a huge feast and we had a great time!

The Thanksgiving table...not quite finished. We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, yams, ham, funeral potatoes, macaroni & cheese, deviled eggs, rolls, pickles and olives, green bean casserole, salad and corn.

The Dessert Table! For dessert we had apple pie, pumpkin pie, banana cream pie, peach pie, baklava, some Brazilian dish that I have no clue what it's called, chocolate cream pie, Jello, caramel apple cheesecake, sweet potato pie and a pumpkin roll (thanks to Lauren--at preschool they had a pumpkin roll and Lauren insisted that we have one too).

Brynlie and Kamary hanging out.

Hanna had fun talking to the missionaries-- at an appropriate distance. :)   The missionaries ended up having 5 eating appointments that day. I don't know how they survived.

Dishing up.

Everyone eating dinner.

Lauren the Birthday Girl.

Yummy!

Even the cat had a feast! She loved the shrimp.

After dinner some of the kids put on a Thanksgiving play. They wrote it themselves. Kamary was a servant.

Here they are performing a song in the play.

Asking the Native Americans (Kohler) for help.

Kohler played the part of the Native American. I'm not sure what his name was...Myexo. We might just start calling him that from now on. 

Here is Kohler and Alyssa playing the game Mousetrap. There were a lot of things to do and the kids had a great time playing while the adults talked.

We ended up getting home at 9:30 at night. Since we didn't have time to throw our regular birthday party for Lauren (although she did open some presents on her birthday), we decided to celebrate the next day as well. Lauren was all for that.

So Friday she opened her presents from her Grandparents.

She was so happy and really content on her birthday. She didn't whine or complain about anything. She really is a sweetie.

From Grandma and Grandpa Wheeler, she got a princess painting set and a giant Tinkerbell coloring book. From Grandma and Grandpa Smith she got a Lalaloopsy bus. She loved her presents.

For her birthday she wanted chocolate cake. That's it--nothing special--just chocolate cake.

Lighting the candles.

Blowing out the candles.

The kids got silly straws to drink from. They liked that. We also had peppermint ice cream (since pink is Lauren's favorite color).

After cake and ice cream, Lauren got right into playing with her toys. Here she is coloring her giant picture. :)

Fun Facts about Lauren

Favorite Food:

Pumpkin Roll & Chocolate Cake and Chocolate Pie

Favorite Color:

Pink

Favorite TV Show:

Go Diego Go

Favorite Movie:

Tangled

Favorite Song:

Year Without Rain-- Selena Gomez

Favorite Scripture Story:

Where Jesus Dies on the Cross

Favorite Church Song:

Heavenly Father Loves Me

 (She says that whenever she hears that song she just feels that Heavenly Father really does love her)

Favorite Thing About Preschool:

Having Snack

Favorite Thing to Do:

Dancing, Color, Draw, Sing, Play with her siblings, sing, listen to her MP3 player

Special Things About Lauren:

Lauren is very loving...sometimes smothering, but she just loves and accepts everyone. One time in preschool when one child was picking on another--making her sad, Lauren helped her feel better and was her special friend the entire day. She really cares about others and is compassionate. Often if someone is sad she'll try to help them feel better, even if it means giving up something she likes. She gives the sweetest hugs.

We love Lauren and are so happy that she's part of our family.