November 2015

November came and went in flash!

We had a busy month.

 Makayla had her first Amarillo Youth Choir concert of the year. They changed venues this year to the main campus of our church, Paramount Baptist. It made for a beautiful backdrop for their music.

I hosted women's fellowship night for our ladies at church. 

 I was so blessed by their company that night.  Thirteen ladies joined me in making blessing bags for the women who live at Faith City Ministries. 

 Makayla, Christopher and I went to the advanced screening of The Mockingjay Part 2. The movie was awesome and I enjoyed getting out with my big kids!!

 James and I got away overnight to Santa Fe. He was going to a  Jiu Jitsu seminar and it turned out to be a wonderful couples get away for us.

Starbucks for the road!

Santa Fe is beautiful.

 We had so much fun shopping, sightseeing and eating Santa Fe cuisine.
On Saturday while he was at his seminar, I did some damage at the outlet mall.

 It was a great time to relax and reconnect without little babies in tow!

 The day before school let out for Thanksgiving break, James Henry was in a play.
He was a pilgrim this year!

 My mom came out for the break but her visit was cut short due to an ice storm and she left after our feast on Thanksgiving. She did get to enjoy the play and girls day out with Makayla and I.

James and John fried a turkey for us again this year!!

 Thanksgiving day was a great time as a family.

 James and I did manage a little black Friday craziness before the ice storm and then we spent the rest of the break inside and warm!

 David had his first bowl of post-Thanksgiving turkey gumbo and he ate it all!

 We got the house decorated for Christmas on the break as well and enjoyed our favorite Christmas movies.  David loves The Little People sets.

Makayla's tree in her room.

 Notice this cute little baby "sitting" by the tree, he is the reason the bottom branches are empty and all the ornaments are shoved on the top branches. He keeps us on our toes!

Halloween 2015

This year for Halloween instead of doing a family pumpkin carving night we hosted a pumpkin carving party for the older kids at our church. It turned out great. James did the pumpkin devotional with them and they all had a blast each carving their own designs. 

 Our 3 older kiddos all carved their own pumpkins this year with little help.

 James Henry told us he pulled the guts out like a man! Apparently men pull the guts out different than women?

 Makayla rocked her pumpkin too!

 David hung out with his best friend Abigail chewing on glow sticks and such!

 All the kids did a great job on their carvings!!

 We finished the night off with great food, fellowship and games. We loved having everyone in our home.

 "Halloween Eve" we had a movie marathon with the kids. James made mummy dogs.

 We had candy corn hot chocolate and pumpkin cookies.

 On Halloween both James Henry and David had birthday parties to attend and then it was home to get ready for Trunk or Treat at our church.

This guy is walking everywhere!

 For David's costume this year I pulled the teddy bear out of the archives, all 4 of the Lis kids have now worn this costume!

 Trunk or Treat was great. James Henry loved the bouncers.

 David helped us set up our two vehicles. James made a football toss game and it was awesome!

 James Henry went as Star Lord.

 Makayla went as a flapper girl.

 Christopher was Ant-Man.

 Walking through Trunk or Treat.....

checking out his goods!

 There was face painting, hot dogs and hot chocolate!

 Makayla and Christopher helped us pass out candy and run the football toss.

 All the Amarillo grandparents came and hung out with us too!

We had a great time. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by and how big our kids are getting!!

Paige's visit to Amarillo

James and I made a plan at the start of 2015 to make this year about family.

We went on a big family vacation last year and we decided we would only do a major vacation every other year and the year in between would be all about family.

We wanted to spend time a lot of extra time with my dad this year, visit James' grandmother in south Texas, make a trip to our hometown and have James' sister visit us.

I am so happy to say we managed to check off our entire list by the first of October!

James' sister Paige flew in from Tennessee last Monday and stayed with us until Saturday.

We had a good visit and our kids adore their Aunt Paige.

We picked her up from the airport Monday night and had a nice dinner out in town.

Sadly, James Henry was pretty sick last week so he and I missed out on some of the fun but thats ok! 

Paige was awesome on Tuesday and ran errands with me while we drove James around after his eye doctor visit. He couldn't see since they dilated his eyes and we enjoyed his laughs at his expense. 

David sure loved his Aunt Paige and she made a great nap mat!

Wednesday after school James, Paige, Makayla and Christopher went to a movie and Thursday James and Paige picked up Chick Fil A and had lunch with Makayla and Christopher at school. They loved it!

On Friday, James Henry was feeling much better and I loved seeing Paige color on the floor with him in the office.

 David & Paige taking selfies!

James' dad Roland and his two kids James and Paige.

Roland and Paige.

On Friday night James' parents stayed with the kids so James, Paige and I could indulge in some sushi and shopping.
Saturday morning we enjoyed donuts with Paige before her flight home.

We have been blessed this year by all the time we have spent with the people who matter most to us. The one thing this year has also taught us is things can change on a dime so make the time for those loved ones.