YIKES! A TEENAGER IN THE HOUSE!

Is this really possible for me to have a teenager?  When did I get old enough to have one of those?  :)  It really does blow me away that I have been a Mom now for 13 years and have loved every minute of it.  Well maybe not EVERY minute.  Not only is my baby now a teenager but he also towers over me at 5'10.  I am only 5'3.  This makes disciplining a little different when looking up at your son.  LOL!  No matter how big my baby gets he will always be my baby!

Austin was telling me that his most memorable Birthday was is 7th Birthday.  He had school that day and when he came home we had his room completely decorated and had his gifts on his bed.  He was really into army stuff at the time so his birthday cake was full of the little green army guys and tanks.  He said it was such a fun surprise to come home to that.  We decided to try to recreate that for him.  While he was at school we got busy on his room.

I say we got busy because he got all new bedding so I had to first clean up his room and then wash all of his new bedding.

Sebastian was being Austin's little helper...

New basketball shoes!

Of course, a video game...NBA 2K12!

New Nike 6.0's.  (school shoes)

He LOVES Football!  

Happy Birthday Big Guy!

It's always hard to leave...

We had such an excellent time visiting family this weekend.  It was short trip but it makes it easier knowing that we can actually drive there as opposed to when we lived in Alaska.  It still makes it hard to say goodbyes and even "see you soon".

The affectionate teenager...NOT!

Do You Want Some of This?!?!

Sebastian is our little bruiser of the family!  Gotta watch out for that little guy!  Poor Nina Tish took quite the beating from him while we were there visiting...

Gotta love him!

Thanksgiving In New Mexico!

This year we decided to go to Deming, New Mexico to spend Thanksgiving with Vinnie's family.  The last time we were here for Thanksgiving was 2006 when Gabe was just 9 months old.  We have discovered it is best for us to drive close to the 1/2 way mark and stay the night and do the other 1/2 the next day.  We like to stay on Cortez, Co.  The kids do really well on the long road trip.  It is about 14 hours from here to Deming.  We arrived in Deming Wednesday evening.  The kids were excited and seemed to remember Grandma & Grandpa's house no problem. Vinnie's Mom and sister Tish made our Thanksgiving dinner, which was fabulous!

Dad carved the Turkey!

Vinnie, Dad, Sandra, Tish, & Me

The kiddos found ways to entertain themselves while waiting for dinner..

Gabe was certainly in the spirit, the little smarty pants!

Abby was having fun playing some nice Holiday music..

Sebastian was doing his thing..running around like crazy!

Austin was staying busy on his laptop...

I LOVE Abby's shirt!  It says:  Everyone is Thankful for me! 

 (she knows it too, that's what makes it even better)

Austin & Grandpa broke the wishbone..wonder if Austin's wish will come true???

Happy Thanksgiving!