Pilgrams and Indians

We had a great Thanksgiving this year mostly because we were able to have both sets of grandparents here for the week of Baker's birthday. Nanee Lu and Papa Todd touch down at the airport just as Nanee Sylvia and Papa Art were getting there. In fact they met each other at the gate.

Brent had us go on a five mile hike the morning of Thanksgiving. Not the usual thing that a family does but it was beautiful.

Quinn showing off his muscles

This little mouse was tired out...or that is what we told the kids.

 Later we helped ourselves to Deep Fried Turkey, green been casserole, sweet potatoes, cranberry relish, and rosemary scones... Yum!

Playing board games with Papa Art

the rody

and I don't mean the kind that you take in the car. Auntie Gigi, Uncle Amjed, Haithem, Sahra and baby Sami sent this gift to Baker for his birthday/Christmas. This is awesome!!!! Thanks guys.

Happy 2nd Birthday Baker

Baker celebrated his second birthday this morning with all of his friends, well we were missing the Brooks kids. Zak made the adorable wrapping paper for Scooty's gift that is at the top of the page. The theme was Little Einsteins. Everyone sat on the couches like they were riding in "Rocket".

Our mission was to get Rocket in the air to get a puzzle pieces of a famous piece of art--Van Gogh's Cafe at Place de Forum in Arles. We put the puzzle together then set off to find the art in our house.

We also decorated tamborines with markers and stickers. Everyone went home with sandpaper art and a shaker egg and a Thanksgiving bracelet (see below).

Baker loved the pumpkin cupcake with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkle (Andrea's idea).

This is the poem for the Thanksgiving bracelets. Loved this idea from pinterest...

Baker opens early birthday presents from Nanee and Auntie Chocolate

Nanee Lu and Papa Todd leave the day before Baker's birthday so we had him open his presents tonight.  Auntie Chocolate, Uncle Dean, Carter, Olivia and Sophia sent a Batman nightlight, Advent calendar and Batman toys. Nanee and Papa had helped out with his buying his dresser and also pjs, and books. He was very delighted with all of it. Loved it when we sung "Happy Birthday".

Quinn made a lego masterpiece and wrapped it up for Scoots

the policeman advent calendar from Auntie Kathy

Ava could not be out done so she wrapped up some littlest pet shop friends

Starlighting in Castle Rock 2011

Nanee Lu and Papa Todd enjoyed their first starlighting ceremony. This marks the 76th anniversary of this tradition here in Castle Rock. Last year are very good friends the Bruce's were here to share our first time. The day starts with hot cocoa and coffee handed out by some of the local businesses. The fire department has a chili supper.  There is caroling and puppet shows as well. At the end of the ceremony everyone counts down and the star is lit on top of Castle Rock. The some stick around for songs and more hot cocoa. Afterwards we headed back to the car, Dad had to walk a long time so we treated him to his first Smashburger. Thumbs up!

Papa and Baker play a matching game together.

Papa has his ear muffs on while drawing. Not because it is too cold in the house but we are about to leave for the starlighting

that is one big nutcracker

Early Turkey Dinner at Meadow View

Each year before Thanksgiving the school cafeteria invites the parents and younger siblings to Thanksgiving dinner with their students. Ava has talked about this for a year. Just Quinn and I had lunch with her and it was so much fun. It also gave Quinn some insight to what the lunch room will be like next year. Mr. Phil, the custodian told Quinn he was going to have to grow in order to be able to throw out his trash.

my new Anni Albers necklace and minestrone pasta

I have had my eye on this necklace in pinterest for a while. We are taking our family pictures this weekend and needed a fun new addition to my jewelry box. You can find the the instructions on my pinterest board.  The excerpt from below is from the website where the idea came from. Once I read this I just had to try and make one for myself. I am so excited with how it turned out. 


(A little bit about Anni Albers and the necklace kit from the UrbanOutfitters website: "This German-born American textile artist was always creating, even during WWII when fine materials were in short supply. Back then, she'd use unlikely objects from hardware and stationery stores to constantly make new and exciting pieces. A pioneer of 20th century Modernism, Anni, along with her husband Josef, revamped and challenged the purpose and aesthetics of modern art. Based on an original 1941 piece that was featured in Anni's exhibition of "common object jewelry", this Washers and Ribbon kit lets you easily create an eye-catching piece. A simple, easy project, the kit includes all the components needed to create the necklace shown plus a photo of the finished product as a guide.")

Earlier this week I made one of my favorite receipes. This one comes from a cookbook that Cristy Kaer (once Chevalier) had in college. We had many good times in that smelly Roundhouse apt. Cheers  Chevalier!!! I miss you. The receipe is under the Pages section.

Quinn takes a header

right into the blacktop at recess. Small abrasions but a lot of swelling. The camera did not capture all the swelling around his eye. The brave boy did not cry until we got into the car. Baker had brought Quinn his bear to hold. Once Quinn saw me and the Bear he let go of some tears. Little Brother kept saying, "Bin hurt, Bin ouch".

I wonder what it's going to look like in the morning.

Odette's Holiday Baking Class

Yesterday, Ava and I attended Odette's Holiday Baking Class at the Grange with Tiffany and Zak. Each month, Odette a retired chief, has cooking classes. This month we learned how to bake ginger bread and sugar cookies, also a delish almond cookie. We had a wonderful time and here are just a couple of pictures. I will get more from Tiffany later.