Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year.  It wasn't a big crowd, but we had a nice time.  The "kids" made gingerbread houses and enjoyed playing with Jeremy.    Andy had to work the day after Thanksgiving, so Jeremy drove me and the kids up to Chicago.  We spent the day/night there and then Andy drove up on Sat morning.   The plan was to go to Legoland Discovery Zone, but Erin came down with the flu while we were in Chicago.  So everyone went except me and Erin, and then when they got back we just packed up and went home.  Eventually everyone got sick (except Andy!), so we had a long two weeks of functioning on survival mode.  :)  Thankfully we are all feeling better in time for Christmas.

A week or so ago we got 7 inches of snow.  We were so thankful it came on a Saturday so we had time to shovel the driveway.  We used all the snow from the drive and made a fort for the boys.  The snow was perfect for snowballs and building.  So the boys had a blast playing outside.  Erin went out a little, but she's still young enough that it's not her idea of fun yet.  :)

Erin B-day and Stu & Barb visit

Erin celebrated her 2nd birthday the beginning of November.   Most of her gifts she was indifferent.  But she got a new baby and stroller and she loves those!  I'm amazed at the differences between Erin and the boys.  She has such a natural mothering nature it surprises me occasionally.  She readily brings the boys there blankies when they are crying or upset.  She also puts away toys or kitchen things when she sees me doing it.  In fact, when I work, she helps Andy put away dishes since he doesnt know where anything goes!  She's also starting to talk alot more....things we can understand.  The little phrases she uses are a crack up sometimes.  I ask her a question and her response is, "Umm........sure."    What a joy this little girl is in our family.  :)

Stu and Barbara came to the states for a couple weeks.  Barbara was in a wedding, and then we had a little wedding reception in Atwood for Stu and Barb.  We all enjoyed getting to spend time with them.   Uncle Johnie even flew out for a visit!  Stu and Barb even stayed with us in Lafayette for a couple days.  So the kids enjoyed getting to play with them at their own house.  Oh, and if you notice no furniture in those pictures, that's because I had the carpets cleaned.  :)

Halloween

We always to go a friends for trick-or-treating and this year we had a good sized group.  It was a really rainy day, but it lightened up just in time for the kids to go out.  We all dressed up as Batman characters from the old tv show.  Yes, Alex is Robin and Adam is Batman.  And if you suggest otherwise, they look at you like you're crazy!  That's the way they always played, so why should it be any different?  Erin was Catwoman and Andy was Joker--purple suit and all!  I was the "Pow!"  :)
We had a great time like usual and cant wait for next year.  We just might have a repeat performance of the Batman gang. 

I've also been busy painting....again.  I repainted the fireplace and did the kitchen too.  I'm really pleased with the colors.  So now I just have to figure out which room to tackle next....

I took a few pics of the trees outside.  I think I missed the peak colors by a few days, but you get the idea.  We also went up to see Grandma Doll and took a walk in the corn field across the road from her house.  They dont plant field corn there......but popcorn!  The boys had fun looking for ears that were missed.  And this week we will begin the chore of getting the kernels off the cob.   Something tells me I will be doing most of it.   :)