Thanksgiving - Michigan style

Happily running around to visit family and friends

Well, it was a jam packed 4 days. Wednesday we got to spend a day at Al & Sarah's. The girls played so nicely with the boys it was actually a relaxing evening. Thursday it was off to Busia & Papa's for a feast fit for a king or at least two little princes. Also Neil's first birthday was celebrated with a birthday polka. Friday we had a chance to catch up with old friends which was soooo much fun, but Saturday morning was not so much as we nursed our hangovers. Thankfully Saturday was at Grandma's and we were met with plenty of comfort food to make us feel like new again. Not to mention the little cat naps we were able to catch. To all who made our trip such a pleasant experience - thank you much.

Sienna's favorite memories

Playing ball. Scratching my back on the twelve-foot lilac bushes until they shook. Frolicking on a Lake Michigan beach with crinkly hair and chicken legs while trying to catch fish. Playing ball. Sleeping on the bed when we went tent camping. Getting a good nub scratch. Playing ball with Asia on the beach, even though she always got the ball first in the water, but she didn't on shore. Rolling around on the grass to get the stink off after a-day-at-the-spa. Playing ball. Taking long walks in a Minnesota park – without a leash. Swimming in the stinky, muddy pond at the dog park. Oh, and playing ball.

She was a beautiful dog. We loved her and will miss her.

Neil's First Birthday

Neil got to start his day with a present from Grandma. A very fun ball popper that amused both boys all day long. Before dinner we opened presents from our friends the Wassons. Then after dinner we had cake – and baths.

Neil seemed to enjoy the cake.

Halloween '08

Ben & Neil greeting trick-or-treaters.

The boys had the pleasure of passing out candy to all their neighborhood friends. And Brian passed beer out to his. They also enjoyed treats and cool toys from Grandma & Great-Grandma.

Heather is trying to figure out how to recycle the fireman costume. Next year Neil can be the fireman and Ben can be a policeman, then Neil can be the policeman and Ben can be a burglar the following year. Not sure what to pair with a burglar after that. By then the boys will have their own opinions about what they want to dress as for Halloween.

Woof-woof.

Walkin' part 2

Neil took his first steps today!!! Brian was able to coax him from the couch to the chair in our living room. Hard to believe it was only a month ago he started practicing. Now if we could just teach him to go down the stairs. He still thinks head first is the best way.

Fall Camping

This post is about a week late. We went to Galena, IL for Brian's birthday and to appreciate the fall colors. We did get to see some colors, but we seemed to have missed the peak or it is yet to come. Mostly this trip seemed to be accident prone. The accident started with Heather smashing her thumb in the door. (No it wasn't broken, but it felt like it.) Brian bumped his head twice - once on the roof of a playhouse and once on the electrical box. Then Neil bumped his head on two different tables. Brian and Neil then had matching goose eggs. The only one to not hurt himself was Ben, but he was suffering with a molar that's been trying to come in. On a positive note we did have a fun dinner at Dirty Gurt's. They have a very cute waiting area that consists of a row of toilets. The burgers and jambalaya were good. Sadly we forgot to take pictures this trip.

Pumpkin Patch

We took an opportunity to visit one of the local farms' fall festivals. We had a really nice time petting the animals, climbing on a tractor, and jumping in a bounce house, but missed out on the donuts. We (by we I mean mostly Heather) made up for it by eating a whole apple pie this weekend. Don't worry we used plenty of Purell after visiting all the nice animals.