2011 Thanksgiving at the Tootles

Mimi and I decided not to have appetizers so that everyone's bellies would be nice and HUNGRY.  We did supply nuts.  Everyone waited so patiently for the hour of devour.  Whose the guy in the back?!?!  Guess he can join us.  (Don't you love this pic of Sammy?)

Dinner was awesome!  The Tootles' "must haves" mixed with the "Mays' "must haves" made the perfect plate!  Good blending of the families.

 I made Rod a cherry pie.  I Pinterested the heck out of this pie.  Note, the falling braid, cookie cutter pie crust on top!  I had FUN.  I'll make another one anytime.  Rod was so sick on Thanksgiving day.  Didn't even eat.  But, he did muster up enough tummy strength to tell me to save him the majority of the cherry pie.  So, I did just that.  And, he ate just that. 

These two were in deep conversation.  (for no one else's ears)  Special moment for me to see.  I love this picture. 

I can't let Ryan have the only great pic with Nama Dotty.  Ahhhh....

Great Thanksgiving!  It was the definition of a Thanksgiving day.  Kids loaded up on Pop Rocks, plastic burning in the oven, smoked filled house, warm temps outside, yummy wine and excellent company!  Thank you Tootles for blending our families together!  We mesh BEAUTIFULLY if I say so myself!

Sammy's 2nd Birthday Party

Sammy's 2nd birthday party was lots and lots of fun!!!!  Kiddie Park is a mini-amusement park for the youngsters.  My sisters and I went to Kiddie Park when we were young.  So, being there now is always nostalgic. 

What's funny is that the 1-2 year olds were all a bit overwhelmed by all the colors, rides, people, balloons, cakes....  The all looked a little like this at the party.

Yes, we, the Tootle family, got a picture with ALL FOUR OF US IN ONE PICTURE. 

 Kiddie Park brings out the youth in all of us.... He HAD to ride it b/c he "wanted Ryan on a horse."  hahaha.  I'm cracking up thinking back on this moment.   

This is Ryan's favorite ride.  He must have gone around over 30 times.  Remember, this one wants to be the "line leader" for anything and everything.  So, he felt pretty cool being at the front of the bus. 

Again, Sammy just took it all in...

A birthday boy should never have to feed himself.  EVER. 

 A little treat for the adults kids. 

No, it wasn't just Poppy that barreled his way on to the carousel....  Can you get over this?!?!  Yes, that is Nama Dotty behind one happy Nama!

 These boys love hanging out.  They are buds.  And, there's Sammy just watching the Ferris wheel go round and round.  (We're about an hour into the party, and still no rides for him).

My Samuel's cupcakes!!!  Etsy provided these lovely cupcake toppers.  I provided the delicious cupcakes and icing.  If ever looking for a delicious butter cream icing, use Rachel Ray's recipe!  Delicious.

Ryan, on the bus, again. 

We all had such a fun day at Kiddie Park celebrating Samuel.  Glad all ages had a good time! 

Family Thanksgiving at School!!!

This was such a fun, memorable day for me. Thank you Ryan for making it so special.


His class was a tribe of Indians. Ryan's Indian name was (excuse me, is) Lightening Snake. Ssssssssss.....



These are pillow cases turned into Indian attire. Love it!! I'll hang on to his for a while.








I had lots of fun with you, sweet boy!! You made me feel so special. I'm also thankful for having a job that would allow me attend such an event. Love that TOSA is all about "family first". Happy, happy thanksgiving. Just so much to be thankful for...a bit overwhelming.


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SAMMY'S TWO TODAY!!!

This little fella turned TWO today!  Hard to believe that he's not a baby anymore. 

We love you Sammy-sammerton, Sambulance, Samma-lamma-ding-dong!  You've really spiced up our lives with your energetic and joyful self! 

P.S.  I'm having a really hard time with this one growing up.  

School Halloween Parade!!!



Ryan's class takes their turn. This was hilarious because his "eyes" weren't lined up with his eyeballs so he was walking part blind.



Brothers become unified Minions.



Bad shot of a really fun and yummy spread



Even vomited guacamole is good guacamole.



Mummy-dogs!!! Gone in the first 30 mins of party



Not only my first spider web 7-layer dip, but my first 7-layer dip period!



2nd annual halloween kid pic!!!



The Sams! Sammy and Samantha will be good buddies



How great are these two?!?! I think they had more fun than the kids. Pop pop raided Mimi's craft room and turned himself into a pumpkin with no nose! ;)



Hudson was not only in Batman costume, he became Batman. All answers were how Batman would answer. "Hudson, it's time to eat." Hudson declares that Super heroes don't eat." And, he needed to be pushed at top force on the swing launcher.



Nama Dotty handed out the candy to the neighborhood kids thank you to my favorite hobo in town!!


Had a great Halloween!!! Excited for the holidays this year!!!!

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Ten on Tuesday, on Monday

1. 35. That is the number of years that I've been a nugget on this planet! I have had such sweet friends and family pouring their love on me during my birthday week!!!



What's even betta, is that I get to celebrate jenny's birthday at the same time! Love sister birthdays.



Ris and Brooke helped make it so great! Love these gals.



Hands down this made the slow, poor service ALL GOOD. Fresh cotton candy is the best.



A few of the amazing women who helped me celebrate my day.



2. Saturday, was the Donate Life run/walk!!! I was the team captain for TEAM TOSA!!! And, we took 1st place for largest company team!



These little nuggets were team representatives as well!!!



Sammy was all about his Auntie at the run. And, no one else.



3. Sit back and enjoy the next three pics of this sweet little toot that is almost TWO! I can't believe it!









4. Boo!!!! We spent Sunday decorating the house for Halloweeeeeeen!



She's my favorite. If she gets stolen out of my yard, I'm going to volunteer to be a night patrol. I love her.



The boys did a great job decorating! A little spooky, mixed with a little pumpkin-cutesie!



5. Ryan says "just a minute seconds" when he's trying to say, "just a few more minutes". He played hookie the other day, so now his new thing is "I'm going to hurt my tummy on Tuesday." If I tell him he won't, he'll shoot for the next day of the week. Another fav of mine is "um, it's just maybe nothing" for "it's nothing". He's such a character lately. My once, independent-let-me-play-with-my-toys-by-myself child, now wants to be the line leader (FOR EVERYTHING), make sure everyone is listening to him, and loves to acting in the mirror.

6. Malyn was in town for a bit. I just love how they get sooo excited to see each other. Just like we do with our cousins! and, how it takes 0.0 seconds to pick up where they left off.

7. Tonight, my Bible study girls are giving me another birthday celebration. They love me so well.

8. Samuel's asthma has been acting up more and more lately. Sweet boy is just so active and just coughs a lung to catch his breath. Doesn't bother him unless he's sleeping or trying to color my bathroom floor.

9. Speaking of coloring... Samuel is uber into coloring with anything and on anything. I'm so excited that he finally has a "thing". My furniture is so colorful. :(.

10. Soccer is still going on. Still so funny to watch. People have advised us not to do it so early due to the commitment. But, I have to say, we have had some of the best laughs at these games. The kids are hilarious.


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