Thanksgiving with Family

Last year we went to the Hilton for Thanksgiving dinner. We learned our lesson and decided to spend this Thanksgiving with family. In Atlanta. Matt and Heather were kind enough to let us stay with them and add to the craziness of their already packed home. We had a great time and are glad we made the drive. The kids had a great time playing non-stop and the adults had a fun time just hanging out.

this is what we did...

Jeff and Matt ran the Atlanta 1/2 marathon. Both did an awesome job...

Lounged around (clearly Jeff was the favorite of the weekend)...

enjoyed some delicious food!...

visited the Coca-Cola Factory downtown...

Jack was running from one soda station (they were arranged by continents) to the next drinking as much as he possibly could. For such a picky eater he didn't hesitate to try some questionable stuff! His favorite was Lift from Chile. Some other highlights were Beverly from Italy (nasty!) and Vegitabeta from Japan (surprisingly good).

ate some chili cheese fries, hamburgers and chili cheese hot dogs at the Varsity...

Matt and Heather's crew:

Ira, Brower, Savannah, Eliza, Sumner, Emma and Selah

***Jack and Wellesley fell asleep in the car and the weather was so nice we ate outside near the car so we were actually able to enjoy our food.

and finally, although there are no pictures to document, we watched the BYU-Utah game where Jeff was the lone Cougar.
Unfortunately that ended badly. The game- not Jeff being the lone cougar.

Thank you Matt and Heather for letting us stay with you. We loved spending Thanksgiving with you and your family! We had a great time!

Halloween

This year we spent Halloween in Cincinnati with my brother Adam and his family. But...before we left we did a little Halloween celebration right here in Pittsburgh...

First of all let me say that this was the first year we have really done anything for halloween besides just dressing up. I got all inspired and decided to have a halloween themed night- starting off with mummy hot dogs, monster apple mouths and french fry fingers for dinner. Jack got a kick out of it and enjoyed helping me make it all.

Then we- meaning Jeff- carved a pumpkin that we had previously picked at the pumpkin patch. Jack refused to touch the pumpkin guts- nasty!

And finally it was off to Cincinnati! We had so much fun! Jack and Welles had the best time spending every moment with their cousins and Jeff and I enjoyed spending time with Adam and Marnie. Marnie is one of the best hostess' ever!

The night before halloween...

this poor girl (at the bottom of the pile) is going to be the toughest girl ever!

The morning of halloween...

Marnie had not 1 but 3 different types of halloween cereals to choose from! The kids loved it!

The afternoon of halloween...

we went to the mall.

and the night of halloween...

Spencer as something from Star Wars (can't remember- sorry Jack isn't into Star Wars yet!!) Welles as Minnie Mouse, Jeff as a soccer player (Adam and Marnie made Jeff and I put on something- I had to wear a hockey jersey), Marnie as a hockey player, Adam as a Yankee, Jack as a dragon and Lachy as Woody.

ready to go!

Let me just say that Jack didn't hold back one bit while trick or treating! He had no reservations about running right up to ask for candy and then ask for more...and more. We constantly had to remind him that you only get one piece of candy at each house. Pretty much everyone sits out on their driveways (most had fires going too) it was neat. However, we did go up to one door and Jack was the first at the door. He immediately started knocking. As soon as the door opened he said "trick-or-treat" got his candy and then proceeded to let himself into the house...he just walked right in! It was hilarious! Jeff and I were both at the bottom of the drive way so we immediately sprint to the door to pull him out of the house!

Welles snuggling with Marnie while getting a little help opening some candy.

We had a wonderful weekend and are so glad we made the drive out to Cincinatti!

Now let the Christmas season begin!!!

Phipps Conservatory

At the beginning of October Granna (Jeff's mom) came to visit. While she was here we took advantage of a free admissions day at Phipps Conservatory. I had been wanting to go but not sure it would be worth the admission with kids. It was really pretty and the kids enjoyed all of the neat flowers and plants. Once the sun comes back we will probably go again- that is a ways away though!

University Place

Way back in September (I am trying to get caught up!) the kids and I made yet another trip out to the good 'ol U.P. (WA). The weather was absolutely perfect and we always love spending time with Abby, Abba, Aunt Juli, Uncle Marshall, Aunt Erika and the cousins.

Carly and her boys, Andrew and Levi, drove over from Spokane for a few days at the beginning of our trip. It was fun having them there because we never get to see them and the boys actually had a good time playing together (last time not so much).

It may sound kind of silly but one of the main reasons I wanted to go home to visit in September was to go to the Puyallup Fair. I always loved going and thought Jack might enjoy it now. He did. We all had one long day of fun...that mostly consisted of eating! Aren't scones and earthquake burgers the main reason for attending the Puyallup fair anyway?! We also saw a dog show, horse show, Weird Al's brain show, and part of the hypnotist show. There were a few rides thrown in there too. Loved it all!

Storywalk

Back in September Pittsburgh Citiparks and Beginning with Books Center for Early Literacy put on a Storywalk at one of the local parks. The whole park was basically turned into a giant story. There was so much to do from just listening to stories to making crafts. It was a fun afternoon and we look forward to going next year.

DisneyWorld!

Back in August we went on our first big family trip to the happiest place in the world. . . that's right Disneyworld! We went with our good friends and Disneyworld veterans, the Smythes. It was very nice going the first time with people who knew what they were doing! Jack wasn't nearly into the whole thing as we had imagined he would be in fact he was pretty much afraid of everything. It wasn't until the end of the trip that he started warming up a little to the rides and characters. We also experienced some nasty sickness right in the middle of the trip that pretty much lasted for a few days after we got home. Overall it was a good trip- we probably wont be going back for a few years but who can't enjoy being in Disneyworld!

Magic Kingdom:

As you can tell Jack was not into meeting Buzz!

cars. . .the only ride he begged to go on.

sweet daddy and daughter.


Jack and Ellie hangin' out in the rental stroller.


This was on the second day we spent at Magic Kingdom.


Dumbo!

Wellesley, Ellie, Jackson, Jack and Noah

At the end of the Buzz Lightyear ride. The first day he absolutely hated it and the second day he absolutely loved it. There was no line the second day so we went on it about 5 times in a row before finally moving on!

The first night we stayed for the parade and the second night we stayed for the fireworks (there was no parade). It was a rainy night and the kids were beyond exhausted (Jack kept begging to go home!) but I am glad we stuck it out. Jack said over and over that the fireworks were his favorite part of Disneyworld.

Hollywood Studios:

Blast off!

After watching the Playhouse Disney show all of the kids met Quincy. This was the only character that Jack actually was willing to meet.

Trying to cool off with a popsicle. Not so sure it worked- but still yummy!

Watching a parade.

The poor boy has had it- it was a HOT day!

Animal Kingdom:

Waiting to go into see the Nemo show.

In the Nemo theater.

On the Jungle ride. Jack definitely enjoyed this ride- and so did Wellesley.

Finding out what it's like to be a bug!

***We sadly missed out on Epcot because Jack woke up sick that morning. I was pretty excited about that park too. Oh well, next time.

At the hotel pool:

This was Jack being forced down the slide- he wanted nothing to do with the water slide. Apparently Jeff also had a huge fear of slides a child. Weirdos! Wellesley loved it.

He did enjoy the pirate's ship though.

Oh Brother!

So I guess it is about time to spread the news. . . Jack and Wellesley will be getting a new baby brother at the beginning of March! I think the word has pretty much spread but for those who haven't heard there you go. I think my body is less than thrilled to be pregnant for the 3rd time in 3 years but we couldn't be more excited- especially that it is a boy! Jack and the baby will be 3 years a part and Welles will remain the princess so I think it has worked out kind of perfect.