thanksgiving and more

 *Note to those of you have read the post previous to this one: none of these are edited with PS... I had already done all the editing on the pictures for this post before getting Photoshop.

On our way to Iowa we stopped at the arch(obviously). I had never been up before, only drove past it which was way back when I was little. Those small--very tiny--capsules that take you to the top are awesome!!

us kiddo's

If I lived in St. Louis, I might consider walking those steps every day for exercise.. (:

The highest I've ever been...(besides flying)

The view from the top.

I spy the van!!

"Thank you self-timer."

Well...we finally arrived at our destination. (:

Our stay with the Bontragers was most enjoyable..

My cousin let me put her flash on my camera for a little, and boy, did I love it!!

experimenting...

After what I wrote in THIS post you were probably wondering what my smile(with a gap) looks like. Well for those of you who were curious...



Ok, so you're probably thinking 'its not really that big', but believe me, when you're used to no gap and in less than a week it goes from together to approximately 4mm apart, it's BIG! Also, it's not as wide anymore and when I get braces in a few weeks it'll go right back together. (:


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We had Thanksgiving dinner on Wednesday instead of Thursday because of other plans.

the table. [minus most of the food]



cranberry salad



stuffed potatoes



chicken instead of turkey



pies by Allison



Us older girls went out to an adorable little coffee shop in town later on in the evening. 

Ashlyn - Chelsy - Me - Allison

Nothing like a good latte--or a good talk while sipping it!!!

-corina.dm

In town.

Like I mentioned before, Kendra and me drove out to town for more picture taking...

It was warmer. ?? Ok, just say a LITTLE bit more warm.

Anyways, minus the cold it was a ton of fun!!

Enjoy!!

Kendra:

She's beautiful I'm telling you, beautiful!

and yours truly:

warming my hands....

Did I mention that Kendra made the A-mazing scarf I'm wearing?

Standing beside a big patch of ice.
Told you it was cold!

Anyone who really knows me notice the not-exactly-real/normal smiles???? (no teeth showing) I had a thing put in my mouth called a 'hyrax'. It's in there to widen my mouth so when I get braces in a couple months there's room for my teeth to straighten.(: Also, if you were wondering, YES it was painful a few weeks ago when I had to tighten it twice a day... It's not so bad now although food gets stuck.Alot. Like when my aunt made yummy chicken noodle soup. It took more time to pick out the chicken than to eat the soup... Ok, so where was I?? Ahh, yes, my entire jaw got about 5mm--seems more like 5 feet--wider which means that I now have a big gap in between my two front teeth... I'm used to it now(I think???). Dr. said it should come together in couple weeks. When my teeth are all nice and straight like Kendra--who just got her braces off not too long ago--I'll have a nice big smile to show you!! Can't wait!!!

When you're usually the one behind the camera you don't think about it but THE SHUTTER SOUNDS HILARIOUS when going off rapidly..

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To warm up, we went into this cozy book store.

Lots of color + books + yummy light + cousins having wayyyy too much fun = super fun pictures

Story time with Kendra.......

Yummy bokeh. Pretty girl.

I know.....I look so relaxed.

The reason??

You can't see it in the picture but a car is approaching from behind..

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More to come from our trip.

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Happy, happy news!!!!!!!!!!!

As of today I am now a legal driver!!!

{no mom or dad in the passenger seat}

-corina.dm