Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful week. I was reading the Fitzgerald's blog & he had the original Thanksgiving day proclamation from President Lincoln posted. I had never read it before but am glad that I did; check it out here.
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Isn't this little play set cute?!

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Thomas Family Thanksgiving

We had a pretty busy week here at the Maynard house. We took family photos on Wednesday! I'm really excited to see how they turned out! Hopefully that's what we'll use for our Christmas cards this year. Then on Thursday we enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast at lunchtime with the Thomas clan. Thanks Traci & Mike for hosting the family dinner once again.

Here is Traci with Samantha.

Great grandma Thomas with Samantha.

Samantha playing on daddy's lap and laughing with Aunt Trish.

I thought this outfit was too cute & wanted to show it.

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Colwell Family Thanksgiving

After enjoying an afternoon with the Thomas clan, we headed over to see my side of the family. My brother & sister-in-law were in town with their 2 kids, Madison & Zach. My Aunt Cindy brought her granddaughter Leyna & my Uncle Rob decided to come up & enjoy the fun as well. (Side note: Leyna's parents, Nicole & Miguel are both currently deployed to Afghanistan; so Leyna is splitting her time between grandparents. It was hard enough deciding whether or not to go back to work after maternity leave, but Nicole had to leave the country for a year after her's! I just pray that they bond quickly as a family when they return to the USA.) We had a late Thanksgiving dinner (around 7pm) and then everyone crashed! We ate our desserts for lunch the next day!

After dinner we made smores around their fire pit in the back yard.

Madison enjoyed playing with Diamond.

Zach swept the back porch!

Zach was so sweet with Samantha, he tried to give her kisses; mostly he wanted to play with her mat!

Samantha & her doll's matching outfits! It's a little freaky, huh?!

It snowed Friday night so we were able to get some good photos.

Uncle Rob with Aunt Cindy & Leyna.

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On Saturday, we all headed out to my parent's new house & sledded on their hill.

Just before we left, Bobby is throwing a snowball at dad. Didn't Madison make a good looking snowman?

Samantha with her bunny that Aunt June & Uncle James M sent her. Thank you!

We bundled Samantha up & took her for some sled rides. She wasn't quite sure what to think but didn't cry.

Aunt Cindy pulling Leyna on the sled.

Bobby & Zach sledding.

Madison.

Uncle Rob & mom.

Aunt Cindy & Leyna

Grandpa with Samantha & Zach.

My little darling!

My 1st Snow!!!!

Let It Snow!!

It snowed here on Thursday night/Friday morning; the really wet kind of snow so that it was all gone by noon. It was Samantha's first snow!! So we bundled her up before Lance left for work & gave her her first experience. She actually didn't mind the snowsuit & when we took her outside & sat her in the snow she was really quiet & observant. She was taking in everything around her.
Lance even took some snow & touched it to her face & she just looked at him.

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Samantha & her grandpa.

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Grandma & meeting Caitlin!!

This past weekend Linda & Caitlin drove down from Nebraska to see Samantha & a good chunk of the Thomas clan showed up to say hello. Donna was there with 2 of her granddaughters, Felicia & Evelyn; and Shelly was there with her 2 kids, Erin & Joseph. We all hung out at Norma's house on Saturday. Then on Sunday Linda, Norma, Caitlin, Samantha & I went for lunch & to the mall to "window shop". Caitlin & Samantha got to take their photo with Santa Claus. Samantha loved her cousin Caitlin; she laughed at everything Caitlin did or said.

Linda with her 2 granddaughters; Caitlin & Samantha.

Erin & Samantha

Joseph was so sweet with Samantha. Every time that he passed by her he would stop & very gently touch her head & say, "Sweet baby", then he was back on his way. Notice he's a blur in the photo! He's a man on the go!

Shelly & Joseph playing blocks. They are building a castle!

Donna with Samantha.

Norma even got a chance to hold her great granddaughter!!

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Stainmaster '08

This is why my laundry has doubled!

Happy Veteran's Day & Happy Birthday Grandma!

Happy Veteran's Day!!

Happy Veteran's Day to all of you out there. There are so many words of gratitude to express but I believe it goes without saying that our country would not be where it is today without your sacrifices. Thank you to each one of you for all that you set aside or sacrificed on our behalf.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Here is one gal who is sending up prayers of thanks for each one of you. May God bless you all.
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Happy Birthday Grandma!!

A very happy birthday to Linda! We hope your day is going very well & that you get some time to relax from working. We cannot wait to see you this weekend!!! We have told Sami every day that she's going to play with her grandma this weekend!! Happy Birthday!

Linda with Lance on our wedding day.

Linda with Samantha.

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDPA!!!

Monday was my dad's birthday!! It was also his 20 year anniversary with Forest Oil. Congrats Dad!!! We know you've worked hard & paid your dues & we hope this year is amazing for you. You'll be moving into your new house & get to spend time with your grandchildren; bribing them with popcorn!!! You are an amazingly godly man whom I respect & trust completely. I only hope that Lance & I can nurture Samantha as you & mom have done me; spiritually, emotionally & physically. We love you & Happy Birthday!!

Grandpa with Zach

Grandpa with Sami on her birth day.

Dad with me on my wedding day.

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3 Months old!!!

On Halloween Sami turned 3 months old!! She is 13 pounds, not sure of length. She loves to "stand" up & has a blast in her jumper. She is definitely growing into it & loves to be at eye level with others. She is trying so very hard to roll over & gets about 1/3 to halfway & then falls back. She pulls her pacifier out & then will grab it & try to put it back in. She sometimes even succeeds but I am just amazed that she even understands it goes back into her mouth! She's getting better at going to sleep & loves to snuggle into something or someone. She's my beautiful little girl & I couldn't love her more!

Sami's 3 month photo.

Sami loves to "stand".


Sami's trying so very hard to roll over.




She LOVES hanging out with her daddy & for some reason (Hm!) she always gets quiet when hockey is on the TV. (I am serious!)

Happy Halloween!!!

Happy Halloween!! We hope everyone has a safe & fun evening! (And that the kids don't down too much candy behind your backs!!)
Samantha wore all of her Halloween outfits this week!! Thank you to Grandma Thomas, Nana, Grandpa, Aunt Tosha & Aunt Jan!!

Sami tries so hard to sit up. She throws her head & body weight forward & if you don't watch it she'll topple over!! When I leaned back to take this photo she did just that!

Yes, I am the horrible mom who made her wear her accessories!! I love the slippers!!

Isn't she just too cute?!?!

Grandpa found this pacifier for her!

Today is also Caryn's birthday!! She flew into Denver yesterday to visit her sister & we got to spend some time with her. We hope your trip is relaxing & fun Caryn! Thanks for letting Sami & I hang out with you & HAPPY BIRTHDAY!


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

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Lastly here are the photos from Chris giving Samantha her early Christmas gift. Notice the progression!

Sami is perfectly happy in her grandfather's lap.

We put the overalls on & she starts getting upset.

I thought a photo of Sami in her overalls with her Uncle Chris would be great but as soon as we put her in Chris' arms she got downright mad!

Oh well, Thanks Uncle Chris!! Mommy loves it!

Christmas in October!

My parents decided to give Samantha a "jumper" for her Christmas & since she is doing so well, they gave it to her already. She loves it. There is this sun on it & she just stares at the sun & laughs. Thanks Grandpa & Nana!!

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Then my brother, Chris, bought her some pink CSU Ram overalls with a shirt & socks. How styling is she?!? (The photos of the Ram overalls are on my mom's camera so I will try to get some & post them for you all to see how cute my little Ram is!!) Of course Lance was overly excited about more pink in Sami's wardrobe as well as CSU gear! Thanks Uncle Chris!!

Just a bit of bragging...

I want to take a few moments to brag a bit about my husband. Time after time he blows me away with his personality. He is so thoughtful. He is the guy who will stop & get me a candy bar on his way home from work because he knows it's my favorite. He will go to a restaurant that he hates because he knows that I like it & we don't go there too often. He will take Samantha without me asking so that I can go take a shower.
He also notices the details! I love that he notices when I get my hair cut or colored. He notices when I do my nails or toes. He notices when I clean the house. He notices how I do my makeup & when it's different. The best part is that even though he always notices he's never critical; only encouraging.
I love that my husband thinks of his family when making plans. He works so hard & doesn't complain about going into work other than he wishes he had more time with us. But when he does get a day or 2 off; he plans things into his day that he knows I will enjoy. He also plans in some time just for Samantha to play & stretch. Again he is so very thoughtful!
I also love that he's grateful. When I bring him lunch or have dinner ready when he gets home, or go out of my way to do something for him; he always notices & is sincerely thankful. I might just have the only husband who actually says "Thanks for dinner" after every dinner that I cook!
I love that he is so self-controlled. He has more will power than I could ever muster & nothing deters him! I am encouraged by how well he has mastered holding his tongue. He really thinks about the words that he says. (For those of you who know me, then you know this has always been a work in progress for me.)
I love that he values his relationships so much. Once you become a friend to him, you are a friend for life. And friendship & family is something sacred to him. I love his loyalty.

I could go on & on but I just wanted to brag a bit about how blessed I am that God brought Lance & I together. Especially now that Samantha is here. God really does know us & what (or whom) we need. I have leaned on Lance more than ever these past 3 months & he has risen to every occasion & beyond. More than anything I love that my husband is becoming such an amazing daddy to our little girl!

Lance, I am blown away by you continually. You push me to be the best that I can be & I'm not always grateful. I am definitely a work in progress & yet you are still here, encouraging me to be my best once again. I love you.