The latest and the greatest of Thanksgiving 09

We started our Thanksgiving celebrating at the Paskin's pre-thanksgiving party. They served 58 of us and it was wonderful. Sarah & Mike are amazing hosts and it was a lovely party. Lots of great food and wine and many friends.

That weekend we hit the Saturday farmers market. Where we ran into our good friends Todd and Samantha. Connor and Samantha had a great time running around and listening to the different musicians. And the wonderful flowers and produce were just a bonus.

Yummy strawberry juice.

Connor giving Sam a flower. Isn't he so sweet.

Then of course the actual Thanksgiving feast. Chris made the juiciest turkey I've ever had.
It was a mellow Thanksgiving just the 3 of us but it was wonderful. We missed family but we know we will see y'all when you come in next weekend. And yes I put our tree up on Wednesday night so we are calling it the "Thanksgiving Christmas Tree". I think that has a nice ring.

Go Dad!!

Connor's girls turns 2

We celebrated Reesie's 2nd birthday last weekend
complete with music lessons and fancy treats.

Sarah's mom entertained the kids while the parents party'd.

Connor was the front man for the big band.

Everyone played with Reese's new presents while Sarah refereed.

Then Samantha's yo gabba gabba party was this Saturday.
Ronda and Todd went crazy with yo gabba decorations and it looked awesome!

Happy Birthday to me Happy Birthday to me and Happy birthday dear Samantha!

Connor if you don't want that can I have it - TJ

Thank you god for giving me this cupcake I will always eat my lima beans. - Connor

How can I get this all over my face the quickest way possible - Sam

I have an idea I'll put the cupcake on my face and you put the cupcake on yours. - Sam

Round two!

DJ Lance Rock partied with us

Gwendolyn partied with the Yo Gaba Gaba crew!

Make room for big Matt!!

Get out of the ways kids thats my motorcycle toy. - Phil

Cute pix from this past week

Connor the snowman.

Connor finally gets one of the girls to play trucks.

Baby Ava came for a visit with her family.

Ava and Mama Maria

Declan is so great with the kids, Connor just loves him!

Connor and Samantha getting into trouble at the table.

Yummy Paella

Baby Ava and Papa

Having a blast making brownies.

1st Dentist Visit

I was so proud of Connor today at his 1st visit to Dr. Annie the pediatric dentist. She said Connor was a perfect patient. He stayed still, did big "Ahhhhhhhhhs", answered questions, showed Dr. Annie how he brushes his teeth, was happy and polite. I was so impressed with how calm and easy this was. I expected tears and squirming. I guess I should give Connor more credit. He is so good with the doctor and getting his hair cut I don't know why I was surprised that he was a champ.
Dr. Annie said Connor's teeth look great and keep up the good work.

Halloween 09

Halloween with kids is Awesome!!!

Thursday night Connor and dad work on their pumpkins.
They both did a great job but I have to admit I really liked the glitter Connor used.

Friday evening we went to a Halloween festival at Cathedral Oaks.
Connor the dragon and Eli AKA Buzz Lightyear.

Jaime, Mommy, Molly, Bella and Connor had so much fun winning prizes and face painting.
I won 3 hours of personal training, Connor & the girls won markers, yo yo's and lots and lots of candy. Chris even won a pitcher of beer. We all made out like bandits.

Connor's 1st time having his face painted. He asked for a car.

Halloween Night
We went to the Paskin's for fun and as always gourmet homemade treats, before we headed out for trick or treating.
The kids were surprised by adorable Halloween gift buckets from the Strongs complete with the coolest Halloween rubber ducks that were so popular with the kids, I thought there might be blood shed.

Connor and Bella were showing Gwendolyn their great loot.

The cutest ladybug I have ever seen.

We had a pigglet, a scary dragon, 2 bumble bees and a ladybug. And amazingly they all sat for a picture together. I have to say these are the cutest darn kids.

The Bee keeper Phil, Marina with the beehive & little bumble bee.

I will say that trick or treating with Connor for the 1st time will be one of my fondest memories.
I've never seen the kid so happy. It was magic to see him charging down the street on a mission. He knew what he wanted and where to get it. Connor practiced saying "trick or treat" over and over again in the car on the way to the Paskin's. This kid meant business.

After trick or treating we went back to the Paskin's and let the kids go crazy and man did they. They were bouncing off the wall or really the furniture. Reese, Sam and Connor took turns jumping off the ottoman onto the dads like WWF wrestlers. What a great memory.
And when we got home surprisingly even after all that candy he went to sleep no problem.
Oh Halloween, I will miss you.
Until next year my new 2nd favorite holiday.