Thanksgiving Festivities

Oh what a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend with Auntie Donna in Kansas City. We had a blast! We were able to do just about everything we had planned. Our first stop was to the T-Rex restaurant which I really thought Ben would love due to his obsession with dinosaurs. He screamed. We sat in a booth in the back where we couldn't see much, but at least Ben could concentrate on lunch. He later talked about it all day and wanted to see the dinosaurs! I think he must have warmed up to them - they were enormous. A rain storm came through every 15 minutes too. The restaurant was located in this really nice shopping center, with a lovely TJ Maxx for my Auntie. Both she & Chad happened to forget their coats at home, but it was great to do some shopping on Black Friday.

We then checked into the hotel to rest for a bit before eating dinner at yummy Buca Di Beppo at the Plaza. The boys could be as loud as they wanted while we ate pizza, pasta, and salad. I so had hoped to grab some cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory across the street, but I was far too full. I know, what a failure. The lights on the plaza were amazing. Every building had different colors and there were horse and carriage rides. It was so late by the time we were done, so we may have to save that for next time.

The first stop on Saturday was to Union Station. They had a fun train ride for Ben and lots of model railroads. The details were amazing - there was even a mini drive-in theater. Ben loved all the lights and little building with flashing 'open' signs.

Next we went to Crown Center mall for the crayola land exhibit and Santa Claus. My main draw was Fritz's where our food was delivered by train. Oh what a site. The boys had their conductor hats and we had greasy burgers with milkshakes. We picked up some yummy pastries from a bakery for the ride home, and then we headed back here.

Sunday I took the boys to church (Chad was still recovering from his weekend cold), where I ran into someone from flag football over a year ago. I recognized her daughter first - funny how that happens. It's great because they go to the same church and it's so nice to have them to attend events with. Ben may have a new little playmate. Donna & I took the boys to Botanica for the Illuminations Christmas lights exhibit in the evening. It seemed like the place opened up for us. There was hardly anyone there, so no crowds to push through and we just took our time watching the twinkle lights and listening to the music.

We love having our family visit, and the boys sure love their Auntie. Before we headed to KC, we enjoyed a large dinner at home too. Oddly enough, we pretty much had it all gone by Sunday evening even though we spent two days in KC. My menu came from a recent Family Circle magazine! I guess I was really hungry when I was reading it. I did add brussel sprouts to the green bean casserole, and Chad was not a fan. However he loved the rest of it. Donna made her famous mashed potatoes, which we have remade twice since because we can't get enough of them.

In other news, I'm feeling great with the new babe on the way. We have decided on the name...Maxwell David. We will call him Max. I think I'm getting more excited to add another noisy boy to our family. Sure, a little girl would be nice. But I know boys. They are cute, smelly, loud, and adorable. Maybe I'll get a niece to spoil someday!

You rock my world

These are among the few pictures I have from Halloween night. Neither child was interested in the camera or their hat/mask. The houses were of course amazing again this year, and I wish all the candy would just disappear. Although at the rate I'm eating it, it kinda is.

Last night we experienced our first earthquake in KS. It was actually in OK, but we felt it all the way up here. We had just went to sleep, so at first I thought I was dreaming it. I sat straight up in bed. Chad didn't seem to be phased, which was apparent by his constant snoring, so I went back to sleep. In the morning I told him I might be crazy, but I thought we had an earthquake. He said he thought so too. Although if I'm being honest, he was snoring during the whole thing. It definitely shook the walls and bed, but it wasn't major enough to cause any damage to our home. Ben woke crying a few minutes after. I don't know if he felt it, but it was a rough night sleep after that. Plus, we had the time change to deal with. We did gain an hour, but not an hour of sleep with the little ones. We were still up before the sun.

Our weekend didn't go exactly as planned. Saturday I took Henry to the craft bazaars with me while Chad & Ben went to the Veteran's Day parade. Well, we should have went too. I couldn't take Henry in a stroller into the bazaar and was not about to carry that chunky monkey. So after 15 minutes of trying to find a spot and then realizing I couldn't go in anyway, my Christmas mood had faded - which is hard to do for someone who sings Christmas carols all year long. At night our church was having a family cookout, but the winds were too fierce in the chilly weather. Ben might have been able to hack it, but poor Henry wouldn't have made it too far. Today, Ben threw dirt at a girl at the park - after doing it, looking at Chad, and being told not again. He really is a well-behaved 3 year old from what I've seen. I know it was a "moment", but it was mean. He is not the mean kid. He will not be the mean kid. But it made us feel bad. So no story before bed, which was more painful for us I'm sure. I did however make a very yummy smoked shrimp chowder and a sweet potato & apple soup today. Both came out delicious!

We find out if babe #3 is a female or male monkey on November 15th. I'm excited, but also a little anxious that I'll see the little wee-wee again. Not that I wouldn't welcome another cutie pie boy into my brood, I would. But still, have you seen all those adorable winter tights and dresses for babies? Boy or girl, we just pray for a happy and healthy baby. Babe sounded good at the last appointment, so if I can just get the darn Dr.'s office to bill the correct insurance after telling them three times, we will be all good!