Thanksgiving and Stuff

I know this is a bit late, and is totally scattered and random, but better late than never, right?

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We spent the week in Pocatello with family. Brandon had to come home on Wednesday so he could go to work bright and early on Thanksgiving, but we stayed until Sunday.

We had a wonderful dinner with family that I haven 't seen in 10+ years (or more). Eli had a week strung out by way too much excitement and no naps and super late bedtimes. He did really well melt-down wise, but it has been so nice to have him home and on his schedule again.

The weather was actually quite beautiful, which is really surprising for Pocatello this time of year. We had fun going to some parks and letting Eli burn of some of his super-hyper-strung out energy.

I drove us home solo with the boys as Brandon was already home. The drive went pretty well for the first half. Xander wasn't so happy for the second half, but I only stopped once and was so ready to get home that I just apologized to Xander and went a little faster.

It was a wonderful holiday! I ate WAY too much good food and I LOVED it!

Xander cut his first tooth yesterday! What a painful process. He has been quite grumpy about the whole experience and has started shrieking to make his displeasure known. I guess the budgie tendency is genetic in my children. Oh my eardrums ACHE! Last night Xander was shreiking and Eli turned to him and said, "Xander, that is TOO loud!"

Xander also learned to click his tongue last week. He is quite proud of this accomplishement and shows off this skill often. He is trying to figure out how to pull himself up onto the couch so he can play with Eli. He doesn't really crawl yet, but he can scoot and roll to get himself to his desired location. He has the best smiles and laughs!

It snowed this morning and we went out in it (of course). Eli had a blast and splashed through some puddles and kicked the snow every where. When it was snowing he was singing his rendition of the primary song "Snow is Falling." I love his songs!



Xander's first concerto at my Aunt's house. He LOVED the piano! He loves to bang his hands on things to discover their audible properties. The piano is a wonderful thing to explore in such a manner!


Eli helping Grandpa fix the dishwasher.

Xander & Grandma Ann

Eli doing Coke shots with Grandpa on Thanksgiving. Thanks Grandpa for encouraging such a sizable intake of caffeine and sugar in a kid already strung out on excitment and no sleep. We thought of you all night as we were trying to get Eli to sleep!

Grandpa, sit RIGHT HERE!

Eli, Xander, & Andrew (my brother's little boy)hanging out at Thanksgiving dinner


Xander and Andrew (Andrew is just three weeks younger than Xander).

Eli and his cousins doing some fun Thanksgiving crafts - Thanks again Noelle! Those were so cute!

Eli always says "you guys are so cute!" when they are sitting like this.

Getting ready for a walk

Playing cars with Great Grandpa Jack after Thanksgiving dinner part I

Xander checking on Eli sleeping................................Eli doing a little light reading