thankful weekend

Thursday we celebrated Thanksgiving with Papa Steve, Gramma Connie, Great Pa and Uncle Brian.  On Friday, Brad and Michelle came home for the weekend and I was {finally} able to meet Cameron! A variety of pictures from a few days...

Pilgrim Lucas and Uncle Brian the turkey.  Lucas made the pilgrim had at preschool and we made the turkey hat together at home.  He thought it was really funny to make a turkey hat for Brian. 

Gramma Connie always has jewelry on and Hannah loves to play, pull and tug.

Hannah and Cameron are one week short of being exactly six months apart in age.  Cameron will be chasing her cousins soon!

She loves her Sophie giraffe.

Lucas liked entertaining her... for a little bit.

Uncle Brad and sleeping Cameron.

Hannah has a sweet spot for Uncle Brian... or maybe Uncle Brian has a sweet spot for Hannah... I think it goes both ways. 

Uncle Brian and Lucas

Playing farm with Gramma Connie.

an early birthday party

Lucas and Abby get to celebrate their birthdays early with the Feldpausch family.  For many years we have gathered on the Sunday before Thanksgiving and have the traditional meal, then celebrate the upcoming December birthdays. 

The fondant stars were heavy in terms of cake survivability. I waited until we arrived at Brian & Jen's to finish putting it all together. 

Abby will be ten and Lucas four.

Will was very proud to tell Lucas he picked out the present - an excavator.

Both boys are big fans of Toy Story and were really excited about the tent that Caleb, Adele and Claire gave Lucas. 

I wonder what Hannah was thinking?

Hannah always warms up to Papa Richard.

Gramma Mary read to Lucas and Will over and over. 

Smiles for Gramma.

::ZBB::

Brent and I went to the fantastic Zac Brown Band concert on Saturday night.

Great music and incredibly talented musicians.

We rated it the 2nd best concert we've ever been to.

{#1 remains Billy Joel - remarkable entertainer!)

While I do love his music, I must admit that I have a crush on ZB. 

All-american, country boy cute.

guess where Hannah was?

Hannah is an early riser, so most mornings I have company while I get ready.  (FYI - given the choice, I am NOT an early riser.)  Usually she enjoys pulling out all of the goodies under the sink, but this particular morning she found a new, fun activity to occupy her time. 

As you can tell, I didn't notice very quickly!



a barn full of bales

A few weeks ago, when Erin got married, the kids got to stay at Papa Richard's and Gramma Mary's.  Because Gramma Connie and Great Grandma Perry live close by, Gramma Mary is also known as the Gramma who lives far away.  :)  Staying at their house means we pack 'chore' clothes for Lucas; I imagine we will be packing 'chore' clothes for Hannah by spring. 

There is usually a bit of a farm tour when we arrive, and again, before we leave... checking out what might be new since our last visit.  All of the grandkids love climbing and playing on the bales in the hoop barn. 

 

Who is this big kid?  My first babe is almost four years old!!!!

A furry, friendly caterpillar.

Lucas insisted on showing me Papa's calf. 

Dad has about 50 baby calves right now, so I wasn't sure what was so special about this one calf. 

 It turns out it wasn't this calf as much as the calf's pen. 

Lucas thought the hole for this calf to poke his head out was pretty cool.  

I just love this picture.   

how to eat ice cream

Both sides of Lucas' genes are ice cream lovers. 

I have memories of my dad stopping at the Tastee Freeze after a trip for parts or checking fence, or just an excuse.  Plus lots of nights at home with a bowl of ice cream as a bedtime snack. Maybe he gets his love for ice cream from Papa Richard.

Or maybe he gets it from his Great Pa, who owns a soft serve ice cream machine and serves the fresh yumminess at big family functions. 
Hard to say where he gets his taste buds, but Lucas certainly knows how to eat it.

::Hannah:: 8 months

sweet angel.

innocent.

{phblphblphbl}

full of expression.

joyful eyes.

innocent face.

perfect features.

coy smile.

perfect.

happy hannah.

I say it every time, but it is always sincere; thank you, Andrea, for capturing these moments. 

Imagination Party

Preschool had an Imagination Party on November 1st.  The theme was "Community Helpers."  Lucas wore his fireman dress up costume that he got for his birthday last year.  There were two other firemen in his preschool class, too.  They could have saved a lot of lives! 

I love being able to participate in Lucas' school activities and that Miss Karen is open to having parents join the fun.  I can't believe the amount of times I laughed at the funny things the kids said.  What a joy!
They had a visitor from the bank who brought treat bags.  The party involved each of the kids walking up to the video camera and saying what community helper they were dressed as.  Then there was singing, dancing and games ~ the kids had a ball! 

They LOVED pumpkin rolling!  Look at them watch so intently.