Thanksgiving - Ethan has his big bro

We had quite the Thanksgiving adventure. We packed the kids up and met Christopher at Seatac to visit Aunt Jean and Uncle Russ. Grandma and Grandpa came too and the plane ride went way better than expected. Ethan loved the plane and didn't really remember being in Ed's or on the last trip to Seattle at 9 months old. Jason mostly slept on Jeff and Grandma. The only stress is breaking everything down to go through security and get on and off the planes. So much stuff. And packing for an infant is just amazing....a pod to sleep in, portable chair, clip on high chair etc etc.

Once there, we rented a minivan and a corporate apartment in Bellvue for the week and had a blast. Most days were spent at the Phillips residence eating, cooking, napping, playing games, and enjoying the lake and the playground. But we also walked to Bellvue Square and went shopping for Christmas and took the boys bowling, out to eat and to see Jean at work. CJA and Jeff did some golfing as well. We had such a wonderful crazy time and it was great to be all together for a holiday.

Here is a video of Ethan "reading" his truck book and dressed to impress on Thanksgiving day



Here are some random pics of our week. The guitar heroes:



Christopher and Ryan during our dinner out.


Ethan and Grandma at Jean's house:


Ethan bowling:


CJA showing his bowling prowess:



Sacked out at the apartment. Can you believe I got both of them down at the same time???



In Bellvue at the Christmas parade with Aunt Jean and Uncle Russ:



Mommy was dancing with a toy soldier on stilts and then made Ethan pose with a majorette:


Showing Aunt Jean how to use the slide and hanging out at the playground:




Showing Uncle Russ how to play guitar:



Hanging out listening to the tunes:



All dressed for Thanksgiving day:






With the big bro at our apartment in Bellvue.

Grandmother's visit

We had a special dinner tonight with Grandmother and Susan. Ethan was thilled to see them and wanted lots of lap time, stories, and kisses. They were both quick to accomodate both boys and we had a great time until it was time for bed. We have been really struggling to get Ethan to go down and stay down and to go to bed and wake without screaming and getting hysterical. Our persistence is finally paying off and bed time has gotten much more pleasurable but Jeff has had to take the brunt for a while. On a brighter note, we got some great pictures from our evening together.

Halloween

You don't really get many trick or treaters over our way. Something about the mile long dirt road and only 10 houses seem to deter most. So I packed up the costumes and took E over to Uncle Mikey's. The Becker grandparents met us there and so did Aunt Marie and Uncle Teo. We had pizza and went door to door with Ethan as Bob the Builder. He walked most of the time, and was totally fascinated with the costumes and decorations.



The neighborhood really did it up with terrific pumpkins, lights, ghosts, skeletons and all the trimmings. Jason stayed with the adults answering the door and passing out candy. Jeff missed E's first Halloween since he was in Virginia seeing an eye specialist. This is the reason I got the pics up so quick....I just wanted to share it all with him. Ethan had to call Daddy 3 times today to share in all the happenings as well. We miss you!!!






Ethan loved all the candy and started getting rather greedy after a while (he tried to grab a handful). He almost forgot to say trick or treat and thank you a few times as well and even pounded on one door after ringing the door bell. The same kids all kept running into each other as we went down the block and were all calling out to him, "Hi Bob" as we went along. He just loved it and wasn't afraid of anything. Here is his favorite house with the ghost lights on the walkway and one on the porch on the right that he just couldn't take his eyes off of. I think I know what I will be doing this week...getting decorations half off for next year. :-)

Thanks Michael and the Zanchellis for a great night and all the lovely things for the boys. The cupcakes for E (and to celebrate JT's 5 months) were very well received. We had a wonderful time!




Speaking of our incredible youngest son, here is little JT with his costume and with his big bro (we won't mention how, uh, well, he fills out his little pumpkin costume but let's suffice it to say that he really loves his oatmeal):

Pumpkins

Ethan got to color a pumpkin at school today...a cute little one. And he won't let it go now. Had to hold it the entire way home...."I hold it". He used red marker to color on it and was so proud. I don't have the heart to tell him it won't last forever. He is still hoarding everything and carrying around all his possessions as if someone is going to take them away. It makes me sad in a way.

So after school we went to the pumpkin patch also to get our family pumpkins. Ethan had a blast walking around the rows and trying to pick up the largest ones to no avail. We got two and some decorative corn and one more small one just in case Ethan drops his. You know it is bound to happen. :_)

The little things

....that I want to remember:

Ethan
No way josie
Happy to see you Mommy
Getting dark outside
Watch the deer
Don't crash the jeep, Daddy
Moon and stars Mommy
Mommy come get Ethan
I so tired Mommy
I be working
I do art today
Maw-Maw Paw-Paw come and see Ethan
Christoher in Orie-gone with his Mommy

Jason
He smiles in his sleep
Likes to bite his doggie's tail...will literally turn him upside down and backwards to get it.
Tries to hold his own bottle already...and gosh forbid you try and take it out to burp him half way through.

NC State Fair

Today we all played hookie and went to the fair in the morning with Grandma and Grandpa. Grandpa is having knee surgery tomorrow so had this awesome scooter for he and Ethan to tool around on. We ate at our favorite church restaurant for the "famous ham biscuits", hit the kiddie land for rides and then the crafts and animals. Ethan had an amazing time and even "rode the choo choo train all by self". Jason was in awe as well and did some serious people watching. Here are a few pics of E and Dad on their rides. Notice the fear on Dad's face when Ethan was driving some little girl around on the old jalopy. :-)

Pullen Park

We are finally getting healthy after a bad bout of the flu and so we packed up the kids and headed outdoors to Pullen Park for some fresh air. The park is great with a little train that takes you around the park, boat rides for kids and adults alike, and an antique carousel that has been restored. I had never been before but Jeff had and so he took us around and showed us the sites. There is a great map of the place if you ever want to go.

Here are some pics of the kids at the park. E and I rode the carousel, we all rode the train and E did the boats twice, all by himself. I was shocked. After the playground, we went to Rock-O-La cafe for some dinner and then home for some much needed rest. I adore days like today where we can do something special for the kids. I have such incredible memories of growing up and I so hope I can do he same for my kids.

IBM Fun 5K Walk

This morning we all got up at the crack of dawn to go walk a 5k and have a little fun with our friends at work. We met Tracey and Nina at 8:15 and started our walk with kids and strollers at 9. We did the 5k in 54 minutes and then got back and had some great fun at the rec center. They did it up great for the kids with soccer kicks, fun races, bouncing houses, dragon tunnels, miniature golf and a huge slide (which Jeff and Ethan almost came down backwards). Nina and Ethan had such a great time! Ethan's favorite was the dragon and the snow cone and cotton candy. He remembers events in terms of the food eaten so I am sure this one will go down in history. I think he also loved the bus ride over to the rec center and back.

The chasing game

We can now upload video to our blog...how cool if only I could figure it out. We took this high adventure clip with our camera though so no guarantees on overall quality. It does come with an express warning that it may cause sudden spells of dizziness. See, Ethan absolutely loves to have Daddy chase him around the house and just laughs and laughs. The problem is that our house has 2 complete loops you can make on the first floor. What smarty designed that knowing we would have toddlers in the house? Uh...nevermind. Anyway, Ethan likes it more when you hide and jump out and scare him. Go figure!

http://www.radiantweb.com/movies/thechase.mov if the video doesn't work for you!