The Building of a Christmas Tree

The Building of THE MCGINNIS FAMILY CHRISTMAS TREE 2010

I wish I could take credit for that fun sequence of photos, but it was all Robert! He had it down to a science, and I think it turned out so cool! And here are some photos of the rest of the decorating fun-

Thanksgiving 2010

This year for Thanksgiving we stayed in town and celebrated with a wonderful feast at Carmines. We were blessed to celebrate the evening with the entire Smith Clan who we love so much! There was tons of good food, good conversation and good fun :) Unfortunately my pictures from the evening did not turn out very well, so I'll let you pop over the the Smith Family Blog to see a few from the festivities. But here's one just for fun-

We really enjoyed staying home for the weekend and having a chance to put up Christmas decorations. I spent "black Friday" cooking our own homemade Thanksgiving dinner (because what's Thanksgiving weekend without the leftovers?) and listening to Christmas music while the boys watched football and "wrestle-housed" (thats Owen's version of rough housing).

It was a great weekend and a special way to kick off The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

More Photography by Owen

I'm loving the perspective of these photos that Owen took on Thanksgiving-

I Am Thankful

I am thankful for so many wonderful people and things in my life right now...here is a snapshot of some of my "thanks"

For this guy- the one I get to share my life with, laugh with, live for, love. For him choosing me every single day and for all of our adventures, past and future!

For this little guy, for the joy he brings to our lives, for the way he makes me love so fiercely, for the ways he challenges me and forces me to put my trust in God, and how we will never be the same because of him.

For these people, my family, who have made me the mother, sister, cousin and wife I am today. I don't get to see them as much as I'd like, but we've learned distance sure does make the heart grow fonder.

For these two, Roberts parents, who would do anything for us and who love Owen more then words.

For these men, Roberts brothers- by watching them I can catch amazing glimpses of Owen when he's grown.

For this beautiful lady, whose life I've been in since she was a toddler and who only gets more lovely by the day.

For these friends, the Smiths...

and these friends, the Mancaris...and the deepest friendships I've ever had in my life. For them showing me how to love God, how to love life, and for making my life richer just by being in it.

And for these folks, our DC family and small group friends who do life with us on the East Coast.

...for our church, for our jobs, for our home, our neighborhood, for our Grandparents, extended families and all of the people and things that touch our lives; we are truly blessed, truly thankful and completely humbled by what God has provided us.

Happy Thanksgiving

Owen Is Thankful For...

Both at school and at Kids Church this month, Owen has been asked what he is thankful for. "Mommy" "Daddy" and "Trains" seem to always make the list, but he has also mentioned things such as "Dinosaurs," "My Giraffe," "Water," and I overheard him say "books!" one time too (which melted the heart of this once-upon-a-time teacher).

For fun I decided to ask Owen a few questions about Thanksgiving-

Me: Owen, did you know tomorrow is Thanksgiving?

Owen: Whoa!

Me: Do you know what we do on Thanksgiving?

Owen: Eat turkey...?

Me: Yes, and we also celebrate the things we are thankful for...

Owen: Oh, like turkey?

Me: Well, yes, and other things too. What are you thankful Owen?

Owen: I thankful for my trains and my stuffed teddys.

Me: Did you know we can be thankful for people too? Are you thankful for anyone?

Owen: Yep! ............................... Can I go watch tv now?

Me: Sure, because clearly you are not at all interested in talking to me about this right now.

The End.

Just Another BuMp On The Head

Turns out, just another bump on the head is all it was, but it sure was scary and looked way worse then that! So much so, that Owen got to take his first trip to the ER just so we could be certain that's all it was.

Sunday October 24th we were cleaning up after church and just like every other Sunday, he was running around with all of his friends being crazy. Neither Robert or I saw what happened, but from what we've heard, he tripped and smacked his forehead on a metal bench. All I know is that he was carried over to me by a friend, crying and he buried his head in my shoulder. When I pulled his face away it looked like a hockey puck was attached to his forehead. The spot where he hit his head swelled so big so fast, that we weren't sure what it was we were looking at sticking out of his forehead.

We tried to stay calm and assess the situation, but knowing that we would go home and let him take a nap, there was no way we could not have his head looked at by a doctor. So off to the ER we went. I sure do wish I would have taken a few photos in those 2 hrs we were there because by the time we returned home and took pictures that night the swelling had already reduced significantly. But the doctors and nurses all assured us that we had made the right decision to bring him in and have it looked it. After looking in his ears, his eyes, and hearing how he had been acting normally with no loss of consciousness or nausea/vomiting the doctor determined there was no underlying cause for concern other then a bump on the head. Praise God for Owens hard little head!

In the days after, his head turned from red to a deep purplish-gray, to a greenish-yellow color just like any other bruise. 12 days later there is little sign that it ever happened, but here are a few photos I tried to take while it healed-

The night that it happened

Bath time the next day

4 days later

One week after

Halloween Fun

YAY for Halloween! I love carving pumpkins, dressing up, and especially eating candy! Turns out, Owen is definitely my child as he loved all of the above as well...especially the eating candy part! :)

Picking out our carving pumpkins

All of our hard work

And when I say hard work, its no joke...I picked the only pumpkin in the patch that, according to Robert was made of "aluminum carbon alloy" :) See, he did get into his Toy Story character a little bit!

Buzz, trying out his wings

All dressed up for Halloween!

First stop of the evening-hanging out with friends at Hallowfest at Ebenezers

(Owen w/Reags)

And Judah (aka Cap't Hook)

And Judah's Sister Izzy (the tick-tock Crocodile)

And Princess Naomi of course!

Next up, Trick-or-Treating!

And the FINALE! Buzz checks out his loot (the best part of Halloween)