Thanksgiving 2012

We spent Thanksgiving with my family in Fraser, MI this year, which has not been done in a long while. 

The morning started out early when Burke, Christine & Matt (one of Joey's oldest friends) headed out for Detroit's Turkey Trot 5K/10K. Here they are post-run with celebratory beers. 

Ryan sports Burke's Turkey Trot medal.

Evan reclines across two chairs. So comfy!

An attempt at a Thanksgiving picture of our bunch! 

Evan is soooo into it.

It was a gorgeous day, so we headed out to the boys' favorite playground near Grandma & Grandpa's - Fort Fraser. I LOVE these 2 Fort Fraser pictures. 

Aunt Christine played some Candyland with the boys. 

Football Zombies!

After the game, we headed outside for some fresh air and more football.

Christine & Ryan - Tackle! 

Then Ryan realized he could climb the tree...

...so Evan had to do it too.

Soon afterward, we headed inside for a delicious feast! 

We have so much to be thankful for!!

We hope you had a wonderful day, as well. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Book Mess

This is what is known in our house as a "book mess". This is how Evan reads. Ryan can also make a book mess, but it's Evan's specialty. There are worse messes that could be made. I'll happily deal with it if it means they enjoy books.

There is a post called Future Scholars from February 2011 of an earlier book mess. Ryan has a paci in his mouth and Evan is tiny. Check it out.

Owl

Ryan has had a thing for owls lately. 

It started when we were at Kohl's and he fell in love with this owl stuffed animal (which he may get as a Christmas present if they aren't sold out of them by the time I get back there). Next, he got a Halloween card from Nana & Lolo that had an owl finger puppet. He also got a magazine in the mail that had a section on owls in it. Then at school he made a paper bag owl. When he brought it home, he initiated the owl display you see in the picture below. Hanging the owl from the hook in the corner of the room was totally his idea. I love that about him.   

Evan mostly enjoyed the step stool being in the house and the opportunities to climb on it and mess around with usually unreachable things. And I love that about him.

Hail!

University of Michigan's fight song by an almost 3 year old, conducted by a 4 1/2 year old. My family's indoctrination seems to be working. 

Halloween

On October 30 Burke's orchestras performed a Halloween "Haunt-cert." He really got into his costume!

The boys dressed up too. They love being at "Dada's work" and going to concerts. They also love climbing all over the podium and chair. 

But mostly they love playing the drums. 

Neither boy was frightened of Burke's costume. Ryan asked what he was, I said a devil. Ryan pronounced it "double," since he doesn't have a point of reference for a devil at this stage of his life. He did ask me what devils (or "doubles") are like. I told him they're not very nice, but Dada is a nice one. We'll leave it at that for now. Evan thought he was a king because of the cape. 

On Halloween morning, Evan & I celebrated with Ryan and his class. Ryan's classmate Quinn was also a law enforcement agent, so I had to get a picture of them together.

An attempt at a class picture. 

Snack time!

Before we got them dressed up for actual trick-or-treating later that evening, I wanted to take a picture of them in their matching Halloween shirts. They were not too into it, but were slightly amused when Burke photobombed the shot.

Knocking on a neighbor's door.

Heading home in the wagon. We only made it to 6 houses. It was too cold and windy (ahem, Superstorm Sandy). It was actually the perfect amount of time to be out. The boys were ready to be done. Being home a bit early, I actually got 2 trick-or-treaters come to our house. Fun!

Ryan checks out his loot.

I will close the books on Halloween 2012 with this picture of Evan and his scary Halloween face. 

Boo!