Thanksgiving - through Erin's eyes!

I am getting a bit lazy on the photo taking department... only took one photo during the entirety of Thanksgiving celebrations. So, what follows is Thanksgiving through my sister-in-law Erin's perspective. Thanks again for sharing the photos Erin!

Our initial turkey festing and feasting began on Wednesday, with our traditional college friends gathering. We were thankful to the M's for hosting! So much good food and Franzia :). It was a later night than anticipated but we were lucky to be able to have the next morning free to sleep in and lounge in PJ's.

Michael's family Thanksgiving was held in Illinois. His uncle was excited to have Michael on a "tour" of brews that evening. You can see the two of them below discussing the specialty ale. Pretty nice new kitchen remodel as well!

Feeding my little prince some grapes ;) He was much more motivated to watch cartoons with his cousin than join in at the table that evening.

I do have an excuse for not taking photos the rest of the vacation... as I came down with the flu following Thanksgiving evening. Bummer. But Michael and his family were able to visit their Great-Aunt and have some fun with the kids as well. These 3 cousins always seem to take great pictures together.

Aunt Loretta was said to have really enjoyed the visit and had lots to talk about with Mehandis.

All bundled up for the trip home.

Today actually marks Mehandis's 3rd birthday... which I definitely will take more pics of. But the photos below showed how he started his day with us. Even though these pictures were taken last weekend, Michael, Mehandis and I went out for donuts before heading to school(s) and work.

He did wear something other than PJ's to the donut shop, but the smile was just the same!

Happy 3rd Birthday Mehandis :)

...plus mustard and relish

Okay here is the meat of what should have been in last blog entry!

Check out all the princesses in Mehandis's classroom. We went to join in on the "Costume Parade" following our potty party day. The princesses kept asking Handi to dance :)
But Handi was a bit more interested in catching up with his toys. Poor girls.

The next day was our Halloween and our neighborhood's trick-or-treat. Starting to look a bit like fall around here!

Mehandis had fun falling in the piles and then scooping the leaves back up again. I helped in making the piles as big as possible, and Michael teased that was the only time he has seen me rake. Guess he is gone too much?

Going old school with the costume exchange. Gotta start them young.

Tried to get a pic of the neighbor friends... but Handi nearly "fell" out of the frame. Gave us quite a good laugh at the time :)

Take 2.

This was actually the end of our visit with good friends whom we have a lot in common with... including soon-to-be 3 year old Ethiopian cuties.

We had a marvelous time walking along the lake shore, sharing lasagna and laughs.

Mehandis and Tizu wore each other out quite well by the time they had to say goodbye.

More outdoor fun for Michael, Mehandis and I at Lapham Peak. Gotta fit in as much outside time as possible while the weather is still above freezing! We have even had picnics at a nearby park (in the dark) the past two Fridays. Trying to appreciate what we've got right now!!!

Ketchup Time!

Ah man. I have let time slip by once again. Always harder to jump back into writing when I know I have so much catching up to do.

Think I will start off with a conversation starter that we use at school, "Bummer & Brag". My bummer could be that wait times for #2 are officially announced to be up to 24 months now... but I don't feel too bummed right now. Hmmm, how many brags can I have? I want to brag that I think Mehandis will be officially potty trained by next "billing cycle" in daycare's eyes (very important that they recognize this milestone as our rates go dramatically down!). Also feeling good about some fun times we have had this past month. Picnics at dusk, book(movie) club staring up again, get togethers with neighbors, late night Halloween happenings and playdates with our "Ethiopian" connections. Let's keep these fun times rolling!

Okay onto the pics... some hightlights of the past couple of weeks.

Umm, new bummer can't get the pics loaded. Stay tuned to the soon to be released next entry!

35

Last Saturday I celebrated my 35th birthday... and I feel pretty good about it. No, it isn't an age that I ever anxiously awaited (as I did with 16, 18, etc...) but I am happy with where I am. So here starts another list to share 35 things I that I am thankful for today.

1. I have a warm cup of coffee in a Winnie the Pooh mug (a mug that was given to me as a gift by one of my first 2 year old students).
2. When I look outside my office I see a grassy soccer field and colorful trees.
3. I have a window in my office (yes... I admit I am writing this during my lunch break at work).
4. My son wakes up with a smile on his face and a cheery "Good Morning" greeting.
5. Our neighbors are kind and enjoy each other.
6. My husband celebrates my birthday in ways he knows I like.
7. The season of fall is here.
8. We live only 30 minutes from Lapham Peak which offers awesome hiking (and fall colors as seen in these pictures).
9. My hair is curly again.
10. My family is healthy.
11. I am able to run which helps me keep up with the littlest runner in our family.

12. My girl friends still value annual get aways.
13. My aunts and uncles along with Michael's extended family continue to be connected to us.
14. Rummage sales and re-sale shops are hip again.
15. I don't need to cut coupons anymore since Aldi is cheap enough.
16. Tears and laughter come easily.
17. I think I can pretty readily embrace change.
18. While our calendar gets quickly filled up with obligations many of these offer opportunities and outings.
19. Our home has a fireplace.
20. I am quite good at Scrabble.
21. Live streaming music is possible from out of state stations.
22. My basement actually looks somewhat tidy (unless you look towards the front of the house).
23. Digital TV really has improved our reception.
24. Rachel Ray taught me how to make a rue.
25. My book club helped me learn all of the incredible traits of Julia Child.

26. Michael is my husband.
27. Mehandis is our son.
28. Mehandis seems pretty excited about "Little Sister" whom he frequently says he is saving or giving things to (no we do not know if it will be a sister or brother... but he has decided).
29. Martha Stewart has awesome paint color combos.
30. All of our rooms are already painted, so only touch ups really needed now.
31. Our neighborhood has great curb-side give aways.
32. My recent DMV picture turned out well (at least they told me when to smile - sorry Peter).
33. I have friends who celebrate me and my quirks.
34. All of the experiences I have had have led me to what I have.
35. There is much to look forward to.

Outside Fun with Friends

We are so lucky to have had incredible neighbors move in next door to us last winter. Although we didn't really get to know them until the temperature warmed up later in the spring... they are a great addition to our block and as friends to our family.

Mehandis and Brooks are close in age and due to living in close proximity, easily share their toys with one another. Most of these toys tend to be trucks and cars... which are all now pretty dented up. You could never guess why?

Here are the boys sporting their "hunting vests" during our recent block party. The only "hunting" that was done was by Michael and I who kept trying to catch Mehandis up and downt he street :)

Here's to more inside time that is soon ahead... but warm friendships that will continue.

Another Acting Session...

It is the appropriate time of year to talk about "Scary" things... with Halloween coming up. However, Mehandis really likes to bring up the topic of feeling scared, something looking scary and scaring others. I think it stems from a Curious George Costume Party book, wanting to relate the story over and over again - versus truly feeling frightened all the time! Anyhow, in an attempt to change the subject Michael and I started calling out other emotions and the results are pictured below. Surprised!!!

So sad :(

Mmm... hungry.

Happy :)

We didn't realize he had these looks down so readily to be able to do them on cue. Sleepy, shy, grumpy and silly are also easily evoked. I believe the request for auditions will come any day now.

Check out who Mehandis is practicing getting into character for Halloween?

We are practicing him tolerating the hat... so whenever he watches the related DVD, the rule is he must wear the hat. Hopefully he won't need the DVD playing to make it outside in full costume come trick-or-treat time!

And the winners are...

There are a several categories of winners to give credit to... for the 2002 Trivia Contest.

Quickest Delivery - Peter M.
2nd Place and Accurate - Dad
Most Creative - A TIE - Joanna & Rebekah
Late Arrival yet Accurate - Uncle Gregg

Thanks to all that played ;)

Kudos go out to "Uncle Brad and Auntie Jo" who were number one with Mehandis this past week!!! Not only did they let our little man play with their train set outside... but had more track than Mehandis had ever laid his eyes upon.


He and the track were akin with the Energizer Bunny. They kept going and going and going and...

Hooray for their long driveway and opportunity for extended playtime!

Cousins Josh and Lauren celebrated their birthdays during that evening and Mehandis barely took a few bites of cake before he needed to be reunited with their train set.

Upon his arrival home he quickly declared that he needed, "More track. Please Mama, please!". So we got on the horn with Joanna and Brad... they soon delivered :)

This smile says it all. Mehandis was so thankful for his new track pieces... he played on his own, designing stations, bridges and junctions, at least an hour every night the rest of the week.

He is trying to say "Happy!" here. Thanks again... his happiness is quite contagious.