Thanksgiving Day 2013

This year we invited our neighbors, Mr. Kevin, Mrs. Cristan, and William to join us on Thanksgiving Day. All of their family live out of state, so we didn't want them to be alone. Once again, Byron did an outstanding job with everything he cook. :) It was a very nice day.

Found this idea on Pinterest and we started it this year. Each year will will put on hands on the runner, make them into to turkeys and date it. 

Then when Elijah gets older and married, we will give it to him to use for his family.

Elijah enjoying helping his Daddy get things ready 

The corn bread and biscuits were for the dressing Byron made. And I have to say, it was the best dressing he has made to date! Even Mrs. Cristan, who was brought up on stuffing, really liked it. She said it was delicious :)

The Arrival of Jingle Bells

This year Jingle Bells, Elijah's Elf on the Shelf, arrived early. Guess Jingle Bells decided to show up early since he has six days less to visit Elijah this year. 

Note for Elijah: This is the shortest time between Thanksgiving and Christmas in 11 years.

 He's here!

Below are two things Jingle Bells has been up to since arriving.

  

Putting Up Lights

Elijah wasn't going to miss out helping his Daddy put the lights on our house. 

(Yes, he was being supervised while on the ladder)

And of course there has to be lights on his play fort :)

Christmas Tree Decorating

Since Byron and I have been married, we have never put up our Christmas decorations till after Thanksgiving. Well, when you have a 5 year old (still can't believe he is already five) that LOVES, I mean LOVES, Christmas time, changes happen. 

This year Byron got Elijah a bigger tree for his room. And he wanted to do it all...open it, put, it together, and decorate it. 

 Each year we have Elijah choose a new ornaments for this tree and this was this years. If you look closely you will see the man has a strand of lights around his neck. Elijah's favorite thing about Christmas time is the lights!!

 Then he helped us decorate the tree in our den

Elijah IS Five - Later that Day

Byron had to work Thursday because he had a major presentation and interviews to do as well. But he was able to come home early. :) So as soon as he was home, Elijah was ready to open his presents from us. We had given him his big one from us on the day of his party. But we had some other ones for him to open on his actual birthday.

 We checked this book out at the library & Elijah really liked it. I read it to him over and over. So we got it for him.

 All of Elijah's block are the type that connect together in some ways. He had mentioned to us several times that he wanted some blocks that didn't connect & this set of blocks doesn't. He really liked them.

 About a month ago while we were at SAMS, Elijah found this alligator and really wanted us to get it for him, but we didn't. And he continued to ask us often when was he going to be able to get that alligator. Needless, to say he was thrilled when he pulled back the blanket. 

 For dinner Elijah wanted to go to Grill in Sienna

 They were super sweet and brought him ice cream and a cupcake

  

One final celebration for the day

Elijah IS Five!

November 21, 2013 and our baby boy is 5 years old today. 

It has been an amazing five years and we are truly blessed, every single day, that God chose us to be your parents! 

Happy Birthday Elijah! 

There are no words to truly express to you how much WE LOVE YOU!!!

 Coming into the den and seeing his banner and balloons

 Cupcake for breakfast, of course.

The roller coaster that Elijah is stand by was given to him by his friend, Gavin. 

It is a super cool toy. 

 The Birthday Boy

 Elijah's birthday this year feel on a Thursday so he didn't have school. So when I asked him where did he want to go, he said Chuck-E-Cheese. He had the entire place to himself for the first 45 minutes and later only 3 more people arrived. It was great not having a lot of  people there. Elijah earned 315 tickets and had so much fun, especially since they have a lot of new games.

 Elijah enjoys doing what he call "crafts. AKA -making things out of anything he can get his hands on. Therefore, the 2nd thing he wanted to do was go to Hobby Lobby and get some new "craft" things. We left will a package of multi-color foam, a foam top hat, and some glow-in-the-dark stars for his bedroom walls. Yep, not the typical things a 5 year old boys picks out on his birthday, but that is how Elijah rolls :)

And for lunch Elijah decided he wanted his birthday lunch to be at...wait for it...Taco Bell. So, Taco Bell it was. It is the only place that I can guarantee he will eat good for me and he likes going there. 
(I forgot to take a picture while we were there)

Five Year Old Pictures

Some of our favorites