...and Christmas too!

 

 
The men!
 
 

Since we won't be together at Christmas this year, we decided to spend an evening exchanging gifts over Thanksgiving. Ethan's favorite toy was Chloe's doll stroller (don't worry, we didn't come home with it!) and he spent most of the evening tooling around the house with it.

Chen Thanksgiving

 
 
 

Thankfully, I was able to make it up to Michigan for the Chen Thanksgiving this year! (I'm getting very close to my no travel window with the pregnancy) We combined our efforts to create a yummy meal--Ethan was a big fan. It was nice to have the Lam family back in Michigan so we could hang out with them. Kirsten and Chloe were great babysitters!

Rock Band

 
 
 
 

A major source of entertainment over Thanksgiving was Wii Rock Band, Dennis' gift from his brothers. Ethan really wanted to participate!

Lisa's Wedding

 
 
 
Dennis and I enjoyed a night out for Lisa's wedding! It was such a joy to see this woman find such a wonderful man to marry--just really sad that he is taking her away to Richmond. Lisa was a counselor at the Barnabas Center (where I work part time) and had a great ministry to women and others there. We had lots of fun celebrating with her!

A few of my favorite things!

 
 
 

Ethan is into new things all the time, and is easily satisfied with everyday items! Ethan LOVES putting on big shoes and walking around--great entertainment for all. He is learning to color and has always enjoyed reading. Books are his favorite toys!

Fall Festival

We went to the Fall Festival at Windyrush (the pool/tennis club), and Ethan's favorite part was the petting zoo! These animals were so fun and very gentle. I think Ethan was a bit wary, but definitely enjoyed meeting all the animals he reads about in his books!

 
 
 

Our Little Froggie!

We thought Ethan was going to have to dress up as an animal to be part of the Noah's Ark parade at school. (the toddlers opted out this year because it's a little too overwhelming!) So...Catie let me borrow this frog outfit anyway and Ethan loved it! He would walk around saying, "Ribbit, ribbit". It was a huge hit. :)

 
 
 
taking an important phone call :)
 

Trip to NY

Dennis, Ethan, and I made a whirlwind trip to NY a couple weekends ago. I got to see Anna and Marcus, and we all spent great time with Dennis' family on Long Island. We celebrated the one month birthday of Kaitlyn, the newest addition to the family! We ate lots of yummy food and enjoyed seeing family. We even got to celebrate Auntie Alice's Mom's 94th birthday. Ethan had a great time!

 
Our big boy participating in conversation :)
 
 

Fall in the mountains

Dennis' hours have been much more enjoyable lately, despite the fact that the cause is a bit disturbing. (things at the bank are a little slower these days...) We got to have a weekend in the mountains, and the leaves were gorgeous! Ethan had his 18 month shots on Thursday, so he was a little under the weather with a fever. He really enjoyed the walk we took to the old McClure homestead. Great-Grandpop McClure told us all about his days of walking to school and building the fire in the schoolhouse. It was a fun weekend, and we even got to celebrate Mum and Papi's birthday with a delicious Chinese meal prepared by Dennis and a caramel cake baked by Grand-Martha. Yum!!

 
The McClure homestead (behind us is a rock wall that Grandpop built!)
 
 
 

Babymoon to Jamaica

Dennis and I went on our first trip (other than one overnight) without Ethan to enjoy some time together before baby boy #2 comes. We had a great time together, and it was perfect timing! It has been crazy in the banking world recently, so we had a wonderful time being away from it all. The resort had plenty for Dennis to do (he is a very good water skiier and I trusted him to take me out on a hobie cat) and plenty of places for me to rest and read. :) Thank you, Mum and Jackson family, for taking such good care of Ethan! It was hard to leave him but we knew he was having a fabulous time without us.

 
 
 
 

Ethan's 1st School Project

Ethan brought home his first art project from school last week--a pine cone with peanut butter and bird seed on it! Let me just tell you, I would have paid money to see 8 toddlers doing this project together. :) He seems really proud of it, and we hung it together on a tree near the back patio!

 

Ethan's 1st Trip to the Apple Orchard

Cass' birthday was last Thursday, so we celebrated by taking a field trip to an apple orchard! It was a gorgeous fall day and the kids enjoyed every minute of it. The orchard was on the top of a mountain so the view was amazing. (hence the name, 'Sky Top Orchard' I suppose!) Unfortunately the apples did not make the most amazing applesauce that we were hoping for, but it was still a fun outing!