Sunday, November 30, 2008

Thanksgiving

We traveled to Marquette on Tues night and arrived at 0100 Wednesday morning - B's birthday! He did great riding forward and because we left late in the evening, he slept most of the way. I slept the first couple of hours and the rest of the way Mike and I talked almost non-stop -- it was perfect bonding time. We celebrated birthdays and Thanksgiving, went to see Bond: The Quantum of Solace (we felt disappointed) and The Secret Life of Bees (a wonderful book and movie), ate dinners together, went shopping and enjoyed each others company. We plan to return soon to celebrate an early Christmas.
Pictures, in no particular order...



Thanksgiving dinner - you can sort of see dad's legs in the mirror!


Little Connor is zonked out!


Bennett playing with his new peg and hammer toy (of course he doesn't use the hammer, just his index finger to push the pegs down, then we flip it over and do it again!)


Papa had fun teaching Bennett to sort shapes into the mailbox - B is really beginning to understand that shapes are different and need to be held differently to fit correctly - he does this with his coin piggy bank too!


Mimi and her matching grandsons


He is just so handsome! Connor is beginning to talk (babble) and he treated us to quite a conversation at Thanksgiving dinner!


Aunt Margaret and B


B eating his birthday cake - Uncle Jeff made a carrot cake and made this one special without nuts just for B


Mike helping Bennett blow out his candle


Jeff and Connor


Bennett playing with a toy circus train that Jeff and I used to play with -- I clearly remember being in the upstairs living room with my Dad playing with the circus animals and people. Oh, Dad, remember the camping/trailer set too!? You and mom were so good to play with us and help rev our imaginations, I can't wait to play "pretend" with B!


A new wooden puzzle that makes the sound of the corresponding vehicle when the piece is placed (fortunately it also makes a sound if the pieces are incorrect because B can do it by himself)


Bennett is becoming very proficient at climbing up stairs. Wednesday night, after a good climb, he turned to go back down (which he isn't able to do yet) so I stood at the top of the stairs to block him - he decided to try anyway and tried to crawl around me. He was promptly stopped by his forehead hitting the corner of a wall(!) - which instantly turned black/purple so he must have broken a blood vessel - and had this large egg-knob over his left eye! He handled it well and then ate some dinner! Boys will be boys!


Claire helped Bennett feel better by assisting him with his dinner - she is so cute but all of a
2 1/2 year old who fluctuates between independent will and listening/cooperation.



Bennett saw this bottle of juice on the table and let it rest as he drank from it - he is also getting another tooth on the bottom - that will make five!


Mike, Dad, Jeff, Claire and Bennett went out for a hike -- B fell asleep for part of the walk. He always misses the scenery that Mike works so hard to show him. That boy is getting heavy!


Ellie-dog in her warm fleece sweater


Claire looks like she may have had a difficult time walking - these poor kids are stuffed into marshmallow suits - I would seriously consider spending the money on high-tech winter fabrics for Bennett so he can be warm but also comfortable and mobile!




Mike reading the Bible Alphabet book to Claire - she constantly flips back to "D" for the doctor - I think it reminds her of her daddy who she describes as one who "fixes bumps on your head and fixes your back"


Bennett loved the fires which we had every night. This is at Jeff and Margaret's - they have an entire foam cover over the hearth to protect our little ones from the corners!


Mike let his beard grow out for 10 days!! Mountain man!!



Once we got home Bennett was excited to stretch his legs and did quite a lot of walking!! I have longer video that I will to post too! See what you think - I count 12 steps!

We hope everyone had a good weekend and were able to spend some time with family and friends!

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