Thanksgiving

So what do you say we go right from an October wrap up into a November wrap up? Time is flying, but we're having fun and gearing up for Christmas in just a few more weeks. To kick off our Thanksgiving break Kate's little 2 day class did a 6 minute presentation for the families. They recited Psalm 100 and sang two quick songs. Kate was really nervous through all of it but she loved having all of the moms and dads in there to watch her. Shy is not a word we use to describe her!

Thanksgiving was extra fun this year because it was Will's first. He didn't really understand what it was all about but he was excited that his cousins would all be coming over and that he was finally going to eat a "real turkey". We kept telling him that it was very much like eating chicken, but he just couldn't wait to try it on his own. We had my family over at 11am, so Nathan had to get up pretty early to start on the turkey, and Will asked to be woken up so that he could help. I always do the side dishes, and Nathan does the raw dead bird, blech. I'm happy to see that turkey several hours later when he is cooked and golden and no longer resembles an animal! 

Cute cousins at our house.

And more cousins at Nathan's sister's house.

Kate and Claire helped Uncle Doug "style" his hair. He's always a good sport with Kate. So much so that this year out of everyone coming she asked, "Is Doug coming?!". 

That weekend our city had it's yearly parade and event where they light up many of the buildings downtown. We hadn't been for a few years but we thought all of the kids would like it this year. Last time we went we had a stroller, so we knew it had been a while. The parade was sort of blah, but this float made everyone either happy or terrified. The adults were happy because the fire from those hot air balloon bases (I'm sure those have a real name??) was nice and warm on a night that was pretty chilly. But the kids - mostly Ben - did NOT enjoy the fire. He was convinced it was too dangerous and he swiftly left his spot in the front and bee lined back to my side until that one had passed. It really was kind of crazy.

About 15 minutes before they would turn on all of the lights the kids were getting a bit unhappy, just cold and bored with the parade. We decided to sit on the courthouse steps and just wait it out, and they were happier there. We kept counting down, "8 more minutes....6 more....now just 4 more!". 

When Santa rode down the street on some kind of electric sleigh, things got more interesting. Some girl near us screamed out, "SANTAAAAAAAA!!!!!" and Anna could not stop laughing! Finally they counted down from 10, and fireworks and lights went on.

I stepped up on a higher step to get a photo of everyone with the lights in the background, when a nice stranger offered to let me get in the photo too. The funny part is that he spent a good amount of time trying to line it up right, "to get the trees". Unfortunately he cut out half of the little chicken!

As we walked back to the car Will thanked us and said he thought the night was super fun. We told him being out walking around downtown in the dark reminded us of China, including how many people were out!

October Wrap Up

Whew! This year is sneaking away from us, isn't it? I've already started Christmas shopping, and even now I feel like I'm already behind. The one thing I keep reminding myself though is that this time last year I was getting ready to go to China, and this year I am not. We love China and we actually felt like we had a great holiday season last year, but this year we are soooo glad that we don't have to squeeze it all in to just two weeks. Here's a little wrap up of October.

We have been enjoying all of the gorgeous weather. It's been so nice this year, and the trees are all bright orange and yellow now...at least for maybe one more week?

Anna made an entry for her school's pumpkin carving contest. This was "Hedwig in a scarf". Pretty impressive for doing it that morning!

Anna's Heritage Girls troop put on a little Fall carnival at school.

We asked for a small little Iron Man mask on Kate's cheek (her choice), and we were thinking it would be about the size of a half dollar. Instead she hopped out of the chair and turned to reveal this. She thought it was super cool, of course.

That same night we went to a Trunk or Treat event at their little 2 day school. It had to be moved inside due to rain, but they still had a blast and got absurd amounts of candy.

See?  ;)

Will carved his first pumpkin. He REALLY wanted to do this and had been asking for weeks. When stores first started putting pumpkins out as decorations he was pretty confused. He had only thought of pumpkins as food that you eat, so why were people leaving pumpkins on the floor and putting them on their porches? I guess it would be like us seeing someone decorate with broccoli or something, ha! But once he knew we could make designs in them, he was all about it.

Noah was so sweet helping him follow a stencil.

The results - Anna's cat

Noah and Will's silly face

On Halloween night my mom and stepdad and sister and her family all came over for chili and snacks and trick or treating. This year we got smart and took hot cocoa with us as we walked.

The kids had a ton of fun as usual. They got  loads and loads of candy which they devoured for about two days and then we gave the rest to our violin teacher. This was Will's first Halloween and he kept saying, "All the people give me candy! They so nice!". The thrill of his night was when a firetruck stopped in front of us with the lights on and then the firemen got out and gave candy to all of the kids. I may have accosted the poor man and blubbered on how Will hadn't been in America that long and how he was making all of Will's dreams come true because he also wants to be a fireman. The guy was like, "Okay, great!", ha ha! 

October was really busy but really fun. Thanksgiving is next of course, but the kids already have their sights set on Christmas. Will, however, can't wait to "EAT A REAL TURKEY!!". I don't know if he thinks we're eating it whole or what, but just the idea of it is hilarious to him!