What a day!

Seeing that Santa has been asked to bring Turner a playset for Christmas, Mark and I decided that Santa's elves might need to do a little prep work to make this Christmas morning surprise a reality. And we knew we needed help, so we called and asked Tootsie and Pop to make an unplanned trip to Auburn for the weekend to help us out.

This morning started with a tree cutting....which turned into a tree pulling. You see, my Dad was a pulp-wooder for much of his young adult life. Cutting down trees is something he really enjoys and something that he's really good at. But, it's something that is not just a simple process for him. It has to be done the "right way".

So, Mark and Dad set out to cut down this tree...

And it didn't really want to fall.

No matter how hard Mark tugged, it wouldn't budge.

So...desperate times call for desperate measures. They tied the tree to the back of the truck, and the tree came tumbling down! I think someone said they hoped the neighbors weren't watching...but this is just who we are people!

Turner celebrating with Daddy and Pop! (We did laugh at her commentary...as the tree really started to fall she said, "Oh no!! It fell down!")

Back in his element with the chainsaw...And then the next project began....opening the three boxes of playset and starting the sorting and assembly process.

This entire bag is FULL of bolts, nuts, screws, etc.

And then they started labeling all the wood parts...

A few hours later, this is what they had accomplished in our garage! Can I just tell you how thankful I am that my father and my husband get along so well? It has been that way since Mark and I married and I am so blessed by their relationship and friendship.

While they worked so hard in the freezing (almost sleeting) weather, Mom and Turner and I stayed indoors and had fun taking pictures, cooking, making hairbows, etc. Just typing that sentence makes me feel a little mean!

I guess I should also explain that I have been a little under the weather for the past 4-5 days with what we now believe is the COXSACKIE virus. I believe this is what Turner had last weekend (fever, aches, lethargy) but she didn't have the ulcers in the throat part (THANK GOODNESS). I finally feel a little better (it has been a rough week and my sweet husband has shouldered a tremendous work load around our house), but my throat has pretty much been covered in ulcers for the past 4 days. I did tell our doctor friend that it was about the most effective diet I had tried lately, as I can't eat anything without pain (including soup)! I do have to sing 4 times tomorrow at church with small groups, so I am praying that my voice will stick around strong through tomorrow night and that singing won't bring more pain. I am ready to be well!!!

Here are a few pictures we liked from today's fun photo op in the house! We hope your Saturday was loads of fun!