birthdays and thanksgiving!

thanksgiving in Michigan was a blast!

& I didn't take nearly enough pictures. Highlights include a most delicious meal, of course, card games galore for the little and big kids, and surprise visits from out of town family.

Our time at the Weller's was just as fun. M & E enjoyed running out to the chicken coop every morning to check for eggs, then oh so carefully carrying them back into the house, watching Bridget care for her calf, and playing with the fluffiest puppy alive, Charlie. Our time there is always too short...it is so nice to get these city boys out of the city for a bit.

ping pong and drum sticks...

It was off to Michigan for Thanksgiving and a true feast! To say the food was good would be an extreme understatement. M, of course, was a bit picky, but did try some cranberry sauce this year. E ate everything...and with great excitement. At one point we gave him another spoon, just so he could have a "club" of mashed potatoes on one and be shoveling in the rest of the food with the other.

When we weren't eating, M was glued to the drum kit and the ping pong table. He managed to convince almost everyone there to play with him at least a little, I think. He did surprisingly well at ping pong...considering he could barely see over the table. & the drum kit?  Well, we're just glad it had headphones (or, as M called them, earmuffs).

Full bellies and a lack of naps took it's toll on both the boys, so we zoned out on the couch for a bit...but NEVER let go of the toys...

All the while, the adults (because we are still the kids...) played cards and took a trip down memory lane with a vintage suitcase full of old family pictures. ...very cool...

Later, more family arrived and we...you guessed it...played some more!!

Chloe & M, 2010

...and because I can't resist the "Then & Now" comparisons...

Chloe & M, 2007

It was a time of thanks and a time to share love with our family. Really...what could be better?

Thanksgiving

We spent our long Thanksgiving weekend with Andrew's family this year in Michigan and were lucky enough to be house guests at M & E's cousin's, Gretel and Bridget. We arrived Wednesday afternoon and the girls quickly took over entertaining M. Crafts, toys, and lots of playing chase ensued.

Thanksgiving morning. The headband is a collaboration between him and Bridget...his hand, her coloring.

Our big turkey...

...and the littlest one.

The days following consisted meeting Gretel and Bridget's pets, and a special trip to the neighboring cow farm. M was more than excited to see this and upon learning that he could get close enough to feed them, he yelled out, "Mommy, take a picture of me feeding deez cows!" I was happy to oblige.

We left Saturday after a huge farm fresh breakfast and had to deal with M telling us he didn't want to go home for the entire drive home. He had so much fun.

Buddies...Bridget & M

The highlight of Thanksgiving for M this year -

Guitar Hero.
He plays a mean "Twinkle, Twinkle"

Happy Thanksgiving!

our cereal box turkey napkin ring for M...goofy? yes.

So, we're out. Off to Mimi's for the long weekend starting at 3:00 today until Sunday. We'll be shopping, decorating, visiting Santa and of course, EATING to our heart's content. You can count on a post to let you in on all the juicy details....mmmm...turkey. Anyway, enjoy the holiday everyone!

- The Holidays-

I know, we're late in posting this, but Thanksgiving was wonderful. We had a 3 hour drive up to Holland, MI so we had some time to think about all of the things we are thankful for. Turns out we're a pretty lucky bunch to have so much family and friends and all that comes with it. The meal was de-licious and, since we were with the Mills side of the family, we played a lot of cards. I almost won a game this year...almost. Throughout the years, I've found that you cannot beat a Mills at cards. I think it's some sort of birth-right they all have.

Getting them started young. Morgan was a BIG help to Uncle Brian.

A little dinner music.

Playing "nice" with his little cousin Chloe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Christmas time is upon us!

Aunt Dana was nice enough to watch the little man, so we had a night out last night. Our friends, Erin and Luke, had a holiday party. Great food, great drink, & great company!

Now, the holiday whirlwind begins!!! Morgan and I are off to Indiana today for a visit with Mimi. We'll put up the Christmas decorations and just have some fun in Anderson. We'll be back for about a week and then leave again on the 19th to be gone until after the new year, spending time in Florida and Indiana. So, I think I have a week to Christmas shop!!?? It's like this every year! Whew...

Our Thanksgiving Day

We all had quite a feast this Thanksgiving.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. The temperature got up to 70 degrees. We actually opened up the doors and let in the fresh air. It was really something to host a holiday in our own home...for the first time! Morgan spent our dinner time like this...

I'll have my turkey later...thank you

In the early evening, Eric, Cynthia, Dana and Andrew went down to the plaza for the lighting of the Christmas lights. There are miles of lights to be lit and it looked to be quite a celebration on TV. What a fun way to cap of a great day!


As a side note, we are practicing tummy time quite diligently, and this morning, Morgan gave us a surprise...

Of course we know this rolling over is a fluke, but it certainly is one way to get out of tummy time. Smarty pants...

Hugs to all of our viewers...see you later!