Thanksgiving Fun

Happy Thanksgiving!

We were lucky enough to go to Kristin's and Steve's house for Thanksgiving this year. Or as we like to refer to it "our country home;" because that is what it feels like when we leave the craziness in which we live to go to their house. It is always relaxing and full of outdoor activities and this year was no exception. Mom and Bob flew in on Tuesday night from Colorado and we left for their house after Charles got out of work on Wednesday.

Kristin and Steve have hosted a Thanksgiving 5 mile Turkey Trot for the last few years. Apparently every year it gets bigger and this year was no exception. Steve put up fliers around town and the first woman to cross the finish line found out about the race in a coffee shop in Blacksburg, VA (over 2 hours away!). They had over 25 adult runners and a handful of walkers. They also had a race for the kids. Steve went all out this year with hot cocoa, Costco muffins, and prizes donated for the adult race. The entry fee was canned goods for a local food pantry.

Here we all are after the race.
Running up their driveway to the finish line. Don't they have a great view?

Nathan helping Uncle Steve hand out the prizes.

Nathan in the lead at the start of the kid's race. He was in the lead until he hit the hill, then he hit the wall.

Sammy wasn't as down with the race as Nathan was.

But he did enjoy the lollipop!

Playing football before Thanksgiving dinner. Notice Charles using Nathan as a human shield?

Nathan getting ready for the pass and Kristin taking out Charles.

Nathan going in for the touchdown!

Thanksgiving dinner with the family.

Grandma, Michael, and Sammy hanging out.

Bob, Grandma, Michael and Sammy enjoying pretzels.

The boys making bread with Bob.

Going for a hike in Shenandoah National Park.

Kristin and Steve with the boys.

Mike with the boys.

A family picture (this is going to make a reappearance on our Christmas card!)

Super cute picture of Sammy!

With all the craziness of Thanksgiving we ended up celebrating Kristin's birthday a couple of days late. Here she is with the boys and the brownies they made with Uncle Steve. Notice the "B" and "I" missing? One of their dogs licked them off, yuck!

Another walk with Grandma. Didn't I tell you we spend a lot of time outside at their house?

On the last day the boys finally got to go on the hayride that Uncle Steve had promised them. What a perfect way to cap off a great long weekend on the farm!

The New Hockey Game

So the boys managed to break Nathan's hockey game that he got for his birthday in less than one month. I didn't feel that bad because they played that game for hours and definitely got their $20 out of it. I hated adding more plastic to the landfill, though! So, I went on craigslist in search of a replacement and found this one for $50! It was well loved by the previous owners and is missing the bubble and a couple of grips but the boys don't care! The best thing about it is really durable and all the pieces can be replaced so it should last the boys for quite a while. Needless to say the boys were thrilled and even the "big boys" (a.k.a. Daddy's coworkers) enjoyed it this weekend after dinner!

Here are the boys playing it for the first time.

Birthday Boys

Samuel celebrated his 3rd birthday last month and Nathan celebrated his 6th birthday this month. Here are some pics from the big days.

Happy 3rd Birthday to Sammy!

We had Sammy's birthday party the Saturday after his birthday. On his actual birthday we just had cupcakes.
He was so excited to open his presents that we had to do it before Daddy went to work. Here he is on his new big boy bike.
Grandpa was able to come from NY for his birthday party. Here he is playing with his bubble maker from Grandpa.
Sammy in his Yankees jacket from Papa.

Playing with the new fire station from Grandma. Aunt Kristin and Uncle Steve were able to come up for both of the boys birthday parties.

Sammy with his Salvador Dali fire truck cake. We made the same cake for Nathan's 4th Birthday without incident. This time, however, the frosting just slid off moments after we put it on. Oh Well! It still tasted good.

Sammy digging into his cake!

The boys with Uncle Mike on Sammy's new fire truck scooter.

Happy 6th Birthday to Nathan!

Nathan wanted a hockey birthday cake this year. We used the plastic hockey guys from his new hockey game (thanks Grandpa!) for the cake and Daddy decorated it. Notice the number 7 red hockey player (Nathan's number) playing defense!

His friend Quentin in Seattle had the fire station Lego's and he has been obsessed with them ever since. He has played with them for hours every day since his birthday. He was also was excited to have a TREK just like Aunt Kristin and Uncle Steve!

Nathan in his new fireman costume opening yet another fire related gift (more fire Lego's). Can I tell you how obsessed this kid is with firefighting? The good thing about his birthday being in October is that his Halloween costume can also be a gift!

Uncle Steve and Nathan putting together Lego's.

Nathan playing the guitar from Uncle Mike. The best part of this gift is free guitar lessons from Uncle Mike!

Nathan blowing out the candles on his cake.

Playing the new hockey game with the neighbors. This game has become the new family favorite activity in our house (besides the Lego's of course)!

Milestones

Both the boys have reached a number of milestones the past few months.

Nathan . . . .

Learned to ride his bike without his training wheels.

Passed the swim test at our pool so now he can swim in the deep end without an adult.

Lost his first tooth . . .

and his second . . .

and his third . . . courtesy of brother and a plastic hockey stick!

Started Elementary School!

First day of school.

With Daddy.

With Mommy and Sammy.

Walking to school.

Waiting to go in.

In his classroom.

Samuel . . . .

Is potty trained (mostly). Learned to ride his tricycle and his new two wheeled bike with training wheels. He is a wild man!

Started skating lessons.

Started preschool!
First day of school.
Leaving for school.

At school.

Going in.

Ready to play!