Our Thanksgiving Stay-Cation

The flu hit our family last week... the kind that you REALLY don't want to catch.  Our friends and families really wouldn't have wanted us to join them in celebrating Thanksgiving.  Cancellations were sent out on Wednesday... and a frozen turkey purchased on the way home from work.  A revised plan was quickly created and implemented!

The boys and I were awfully disappointed that we had to cancel our plan of gathering with friends at our annual pre-Thanksgiving celebration.  To compensate I told them we would have a pajama party at our place.  A propped up projector and couple pairs of PJ's later - a party was born.

I was hoping to find Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving on Hulu, but the only kid related turkey day show was Casper the Friendly Ghost.  It guest starred a turkey named "Timothy" whom they were trying to prevent being made into Thanksgiving dinner.  I think we have now created a vegetarian... he asked about Timothy when we were carving up our bird.

Thursday morning Michael was feeling much better.  He whipped up a coffee cake and I gathered our picnic supplies so we could enjoy a (chilly) breakfast at Lapham Peak.  At least the coffee and hot chocolate helped warm us a bit!

After fueling up we were off for a hike.

We have some great little hikers.  Mehandis was on the look out for "clues" and Abera loved his ride in the carrier.  Of course, they both celebrated the chance to run in the wide open spaces whenever they got the chance.  Thinking they are pretty well qualified for both sprints and cross country. 

We stopped a couple of strangers to see if we could catch a Christmas card photo.  This isn't the winner... but we did have success. 

Our little photographer captures the rest of the family, at hikes end.



Happy that the kids are still HEALTHY!  Thankful for a helpful, healthy husband too ;)

Promptly upon returning home I needed to start my first homemade pumpkin pie... cause the turkey needed to get its turn in the oven!  Both turned out to be delicious.  My favorite part of the meal was definitely the pie.  I am thinking that Michael enjoyed the turkey best, or at least he ate 90% of it.  Mehandis LOVED "Grandma's" fruit salad - who wouldn't with marshmallows, pudding and fruit.  Abera rocked out on the cranberry sauce... who would have thought?

A cozy feast for four...

The following 5 photos are Mehandis's view of our family's Thanksgiving fun.  Including his favorite little Packer, the carving of "Timothy", my off-limits soda, some newly hung art, and a recently used up stapler.

Lots of smiles to share :)

And they continued through the next day, especially when Mehandis realized it was finally time start thinking about the next holiday... Christmas! 

 He started the morning in his Santa hat.

Then joined his brother and father in making donuts.  Decorating them with the Christmas themed sprinkles was the icing on the cake, or should I say donut?

Our time together at home turned out to be a pretty awesome Plan B.

Full of variety!

All Types of Costumes (for Uncle Gregg!)

This post is for you Uncle Gregg!  I know I am a bit delayed in getting our Halloween pics up but at least we aren't yet onto the next holiday. 

Here are the costume photos that were requested.  Recognize anyone?

There were more friends that joined the group as the night went on... but the group was harder to corral as the candy was further consumed.

I got creative with an old bridesmaid dress to craft up a "Queen B" costume.  Some of the trick-or-treaters had awfully creative guesses as to what I was dressed as ;)

And now we transition into Thanksgiving/Christmas...

Handi is shown above, at the downtown Christmas parade, given a high five to a local celebrity.  It is Chorizo of the famous racing sausages.

We saw sausages, hot dogs (Weinermobile), Star Wars characters, Jelly Belly mascot and Disney princesses.  Not exactly the perfect tie-in to Christmas or Thanksgiving... but proud that Mehandis shouted out "The Bible Mama" when he saw the 3 Wise Men on camels.  Guess I am a pretty decent Sunday School teacher after all.

Old Mr. Bulitz had a Farm... E, I, E, I, O

And on his farm we saw some very cute and happy kids...

E, I, E, I, O

With a run around here,

And a pet a pot belly pig there. Here's a pig, there's a Handi, everywhere animals and happy families.

Old Mr. Bulitz had a farm.  E, I, E, I, O!

Old Mr. Bulitz drove the hay ride... E, I, E, I, O.

And on his hayride we should have brought sunglasses.... E, I, E, I, O.

With a worried Bear here...

And a silly Bear there.

Here's a pumpkin,

There's a pumpkin.

Everyone picked some pumpkins!

Old Mr. Bulitz had a pumkin patch.  E, I, E, I, O!

Old Mr. Bulitz had some rides... E, I, E, I, O.

And on one ride rode Abera and Emily... E, I, E, I, O!

With a wagon here,

And some ponies there.

Here's a proud mama.

There's a thrilled Handi. Everyone's on a pony!

Old Mr. Bulitz farm was AWESOME.  E, I, E, I, O!!!

While the husbands were away...

The kids and wives got to play!

What a perfect day for a picnic and playground fun... sunny and near 80 degrees.  I am sure that Michael and his friends were pleasantly surprised by the awesome weather for their annual golf weekend as well.  I know that they have needed to don rain gear, winter hats or windbreakers in years past. 

Abera was fearless running around the play structure.  Needed to remind him to go down "feet first" versus his more adventurous "head first" method.  Despite getting a mouth/face full of sand and being hit by a swing he kept on smiling!

Mehandis enjoyed building roads with Diego, playing t-ball with the N's and blowing bubbles with Griffin too.

Love how we were able to fit 9 people onto the picnic table too... a great way to share some down time, food and conversation.

I love fall!!!

Co-Sleeping

While our Michael and I did not choose the path of a "family bed" except for stormy nights and weekend mornings... it seems the boys have opted for co-sleeping.

First it was Mehandis choosing to sleep on the floor, next to his brother's crib, rather than in his own bedroom.  We actively listened to his desire and moved an extra bed into Abera's room so the two could spend the nights in the same room.

Guess that wasn't close enough...

Lately, the majority of  nights we are finding that Mehandis has climbed right into Abera's crib and proceeds to slumber there until morning.

This morning Mehandis climbed out of the crib before Abera woke up.  And when Abera did wake he started lifting his blankets in search of big brother.

How cute and cozy is that?

  

Sneak Peek

For you loyal blog followers... a little sneak peek of the chosen costumes for next month!

 Mehandis, Abera and I went costume shopping after school yesterday.  Mehandis could hardly wait to get home to try out his new Light Saber (who know about the spelling... I am sure I need to study up more on Star Wars vocabulary) and Anakin apparel.  He sure has the pose down!

 Our little T-Rex got in on the dress up fun too!

Big brother told little brother that even though T-Rex's eat meat, Abera is not allowed to bite people.

Wise words to live by.

Looking forward to biting into all of the candy these cuties will bring our way!

First Day of 4-K!!!

While I went back to my school a week ago, students did not start up until yesterday.  This year, for the first time, Mehandis went to school too!  Here we are the morning before we went to our respective schools :)

Mehandis and his friend next door are both in the same morning session of 4 year old kindergarten.  Watch out here they come!

While Mehandis will typically be walking to school with our neighbors, Michael took the opportunity to be part of Mehandis's first day.  Thanks for the photos Michael!!!

Their 4K teacher, Mrs. Gordy, is full of smiles and hugs.  She is perfect for the job.

I love looking at all the parents' expressions in the background.  Think I would have been seen in their pictures with kleenex in hand.

All the students gathered together for the first morning in a common area, as the principal welcomed them back.  Looks busy!

Michael said all the kids quickly settled onto the carpet to listen to Mrs. Gordy read a story.  Pretty good crowd control on her part :)

Hooray for the 2011-12 school year.  Let's make it a great one.