Happy Thanksgiving & Colin's 2nd Bday

T-giving festivities started off with Jack and Chris running the Turkey Trot 5miler. Colin and I were spectators, and loved seeing the costumes run by. Yes, that's a gorilla and a banana.Then we were off to Nick & Tami's. Thanks for hosting a fabulous dinner and night! Food was delicious, and we have lots of leftovers to enjoy. =) We also did an early birthday celebration for Colin's 2nd birthday. Thank you everyone for spoiling him with lots of love and presents. Colin is still singing "happy birthday" to himself--he loved it!

"Happy Birthday to you..."

Hurry up, Uncle Matt...

Finally, cake!
Aunt Natalie's storytime.Uncle Matt's workout.
We love having the Virginia Elwells in town!
(Uncle Chris, Aunt Evelyn, Ben, Rylee and Mitch)

Aunt Natalie and some of the nieces/nephews. Aunt Natalie is getting ready for her big move to DC in the next week. We are all going to miss her SO much, but are very excited for the new job and for a new place to visit!

Teaching baby Mitch (7 mo) how to crawl. Mitch is so easy-going and happy...

Polar Express

The Elwells went to the North Pole via the Polar Express! Trains, elves, singing, cookies, hot chocolate, Santa aboard the train, reading the book, and seeing the lights and sights of the North Pole--need I say more? We had a blast!

Polar Express party-goers: Grandma, us, Nick/Tami/Reagan/Brooke & Pete/Sandy/Sam
Popcorn and soda before the train gets going.Santa's elves led us in a round of Christmas carols. Thank you Grandma for sitting with all of the kids!After Christmas carols, cookies & hot cocoa, we finally arrived at the North Pole.It was about a 10 minute stretch of the North Pole...lights, elves, snowmen, reindeer, Santa, everything Christmas. Bad picture, but you get the idea.Santa was on the train to give all of the kids a silver bell...Colin was a bit hesitant, but no crying.
On the way home, the kids participated in the pajama parade. Too cute!Caught this song on video (but sorry for the sideways camera-work.) Colin and the running elf were cracking us all up!

Pee-Pee in the Potty! (@ 23 mo)

It's true--Colin "pee-peed in the potty" 5 times this weekend! We haven't been pushing it, and are fully expecting to change his diaper until he is 3 years old. But to our surprise, he's taken quite an interest in the potty. We're still in diapers, but this could be the beginning of a new era for us. We need to read up on this next phase--we know nothing! Please send any good links or book titles our way. =)

My friend Lisa and I worked on the planning committee for the community JACL Holiday Fair for the last couple months, and it finally happened. The taiko drumming group and the karate group were crowd favorites.As you may have heard, Jack & I ate all of Colin's Halloween candy--but we keep his pumpkin filled with snacks (raisins, crackers, a couple of lollipops). I didn't realize this, but Jack gives him a "snack a day" out of his pumpkin, and keeps the pumpkin hidden away. Well one morning, I caught him in the corner with his pumpkin...


We enjoyed warm fall weather this weekend and went to Grandma's to rake leaves and eat cookies. =)



Colin & Sam having fun.