MOCHA MORNINGS

Today our oldest took his driver's test, passed and was given a Driver's license...oh my! I did okay when he got his permit a year ago. Shed a few tears when he applied for, interviewed and got hired for his first job back in May. Got kind of sick to my stomach when he signed his first car loan. And am a nervous wreck now that he has a license to drive. By himself. In a car. Without me. Did I mention, BY HIMSELF!? Time can go ahead and slow down. Like, now!

This morning we awoke to find our scout elf, Buddy, had arrived back at our house for another holiday season. He even made breakfast and brought with him a dusting and flurry of snow! I just wonder what mischief he will get into this year? Reporting back to Santa every night, we just never know where we will find Buddy when we wake up each morning. Let the fun begin!

...Time for Joy and time for Cheer. Why I do believe this is the earliest the McKnight-Griswalds have ever gotten the tree up; and oh what a relief! Our night ended with the downtown Christmas stroll, Christmas parade, a visit with Santa and Chinese food for dinner. It doesn't get much more American than that folks. 'Tis the Season!

Another Thanksgiving has come and gone and all day I have reminisced about my childhood, my uncle Tommy coming home from Nashville to help grandma get the turkey and dressing baked, my granny's coconut cake, my aunt Cindy's potato salad, and those amazing brown and serve rolls with the squeezable butter. Being so far away from home makes the holidays hard, but I am so thankful for my family unit here in Wyoming. This year we were blessed in having our billet son James with us to celebrate the holiday. I know deep down he is missing his family like crazy just as we are. Now that dinner is over, the teens are Black Friday shopping and the younger boys are settling down for the night, I want to say Happy Thanksgiving to all our friends and family, we love each and every one of you.

Since moving to Wyoming our seven year old has been all about trying new sports. Of course we have continued with the traditional soccer, but this Summer we added steer riding to his hobbies and now that Winter has arrived we are trying out ice hockey. This kid keeps us on our toes and our pocket books dry. Neither sport is cheap (the cost of equipment makes your mouth drop open), but the excitement and learning process that he is experiencing is priceless. At least protective headgear is required for both and hopefully all his teeth will remain intact! Thank goodness only one of his is permanent! Love my precious boys!

Dressed as little Pilgrims and Indians, Jaxon and his fellow preschool classmates enjoyed a festive Thanksgiving Day Feast today. A big Thank You to my dear husband who was able to walk over to our little Indian's school and help serve a traditional Thanksgiving lunch and forward on some adorable pictures to mommy to show off and brag about to her co-workers and patients. Jaxon, aiming for a shot with his "bow and arrow" Gathered for the Feast Jaxon and his BEST bud, Donivan

...oh wait, he's already got it! For several weeks now we have been encouraging our little guy to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle that little loose tooth, especially since the permanent tooth had already come through behind the baby one! He turned 7 in September and still had never lost a tooth. To be honest, I was getting a little concerned. However, with a little help from dad tonight we were able to celebrate the loss of his first tooth. A few tears were shed, but soon after came excitement for Monday to roll around so he can show all of his friends! For now, the tooth is placed safely under his pillow awaiting the tooth fairy's arrival. Let's just hope she doesn't forget!!

Date night started off with delicious sushi, a bud light and some much needed alone time with my hubby. It ended on a Hostess run in which we never did find any Twinkies! Never paying high prices for junk food, I found myself swiping my card for the LAST box of Hostess cupcakes and paying nearly $5.00 for them at the "expensive" grocery store in town and not even flinching. The whole time debating whether or not I was even going to eat them, plotting out where I can hide them so my boys won't devour them and silently blaming the government the entire time, because dang it I have to blame someone! Luckily I was able to snatch up some additional orange ones and a package of chocolate ones at the convenient store on the way home while still in disbelief that there are no more Twinkies, snowballs or those oh so delicious cupcakes. Dang you stupid unions!

I have so many pictures on my iPhone I am out of iCloud storage to back them up. I am terrible about taking the time to upload them to my computer and every now and then I have to go through them, delete the duplicates and blurry ones to gain some space. However, the surprise self portraits I find in my photos of my precious little Jaxon are the ones I will cherish forever. Not only does he love to play angry birds and watch Netflix, but he obviously loves to play photographer and take pictures for what is now mommy's self-portrait collection.

Our first official snow, highs in the 20's, college basketball on ESPN, hot chocolate, crockpot soups, ice hockey, cozy sweaters...winter we welcome you.

It's hard to even explain how stinking excited my little boys were to play hockey today with the Quake hockey players. It was a pretty awesome event in that kids ages 4-9 got to try hockey for free, were provided equipment to use and got cute hockey jerseys to take home! Considering my boys have never skated before, I think they did really well for their first time and with the help of their billet brother, James, even managed to get a few hits to a puck. As with everything else they try, they are now addicted and asking to go to "ice skating school"! Here we go...