The Part of November That Is Thanksgiving
November 18th, at Qdoba, loved the way Nina’s shirt mimicked the sign on the floor! See this image larger.
Ian gets in on the action, as he is want to do. See this image larger.
November 19th, a cold morning, as we prepare for the bus to arrive. Every weekday, this is the routine. See this image larger.
But this time Mommy and Nina joined us too! Love how Nina also trudged along in the cold winter air, hands deep in pockets, just like Mommy. See this image larger.
November 23rd, Turkey day celebration begins! See this image larger.
A great shot of Ian and Connor. Stop growing, you two! See this image larger.
Also good faces. I’d almost think Connor has some Uncle Chris genetic material in him with that particular face, if that were possible. See this image larger.
Enough pictures, time for wrestling! See this image larger.
Sweetest boy I ever met. See this image larger.
Everybody’s in on the project! Thanks for looking at the camera Ian and Kaylee! See this image larger.
Now the left side of the room, look! Sometime I’m going to buy one of those air horns to go with my camera. ;-\ See this image larger.
You two are cute. But I’m not falling for it, which one of you broke something? See this image larger.
These two destined to be doctors! See this image larger.
Shh, sleeping Princess! See this image larger.
Nina outside, as we put up the Christmas lights for the season! (Thanks Cousin Connor, for doing the actual work!) See this image larger.
Nina discovers infinite power! Energy crisis no-more! See this image larger.
Kaylee makes some weird thing with applesauce and cinnamon that probably smells pretty good! See this image larger.
The ringleader of the operation… See this image larger.
I wish I could take credit for this image and the next one! Totally adorable pictures, Aunt Mel! See this image larger.
A smile that could melt the darkest heart! See this image larger.
Our little beauty! See this image larger.
November 1st, this was an odd sight. There’s a deer about half-way up the middle third to the left on this image. To the left of the two trees. She’s laying in the leaves. The two dark blobs in the center foreground are wild turkeys. Nature, getting along fine, apparently. 
November 2nd, I turned 42. That morning I made a bed out of Ian’s blankets for his bear, Cookielocks. When he came to bed he was slackjawed in wonder Ian thought it was awesome and cuddled right up to him. 
Brandon and his son Max were over for a bit. Here Max and Ian play some Skylanders. 
I think I told them I had a monkey on my head in order to get them to actually turn around. 
Mommy and Nina reading together. 
November 3rd, Mommy left for a conference in Texas, and on the way back from the airport, I got the kids thinking about something else by trying an activity at Home Depot. 
Apparently they have a new project every Saturday morning, for kids. 
This time it was a turkey napkin holder. 
They each made their own, with a tiny bit of help from Daddy. It was a ton of fun! 
Nina’s Marty Feldman imitation is spot-on. 
One of the first things Nina did when we got home was that she put her puzzle pieces in her backpack. ALL her puzzle pieces, that is; from about 6 different puzzles, loosely into her backpack. Not helpful.
Just when I figured I’d escaped a more prevalent stream of tears during Mommy’s departure, it turned out Nina was saving them up. She asked where Mommy was when we got home, I told her, and the waterworks flowed again! 
Only a trip to the “Mexican store” could save us now… Nina at Cinqo De Mayo. 
Ian dipping his chip in salsa. Doesn’t seem like an interesting picture to you, maybe. What if I told you that this is the first time he did so on a whim? We’ve talked him into it before, I think, but this is him exploring the addition of salsa on his own… and liking it! 
November 4th, it was going to be a long 4 days on my own, so I called in reinforcements of the Grandparent kind! 
Thanks guys for giving us some fun stuff to do and for making the trip! 
Hugs! 
Inside, same day. 
Nina enjoys a story as told by Gramma Marcia! 
Grampa Dave and Ian worked together to build stuff with Legos! 
I moved these images from October, having remembered where they belonged… The tip off was from the dialogue of November… I’ll explain that when we get there. Original caption: At Pizza Hut (“The Pizza Store”) Ian and Nina both took turns looking over my shoulder for a bit, making little faces for and whatnot. I didn’t really catch what they were up to. I figured some adult was trying to get a giggle out of them. The faces became more exaggerated as the meal progressed, and finally I had to turn around and see what was up. 
It turned out to be exactly the opposite of what was expected: there was a baby seated nearby, and Ian and Nina were trying to get a giggle out of him!!! Here Ian seems to kind of fawn over the baby’s smiles. 
November 6th, Brendan over in the morning, like he does every day. Today was iPad games before bus pick-up. 
November 7th, That soup technique still works… We were at Panera again. Mommy came home that night! 
November 13th, Nina does a little fashion show to see if her winter boots are going to fit. 
Lookin’ good! 
November 14th, in the morning Ian and Brendan usually play with Legos, and this day was no exception. 
That night, Nina brushing her teeth very nicely. 
November 15th was apparently “bring a fuzzy critter to school” day. I was happy Ian’s teddy made it home as safely as he did, as many items that get sent to school sometimes don’t seem to make it home. 
November 17th, dinner or a hike, Nina is always prepared. 
The kids were quiet at one point, and getting along well… found that they had surrounded themselves with things to do, literally. 
November 18th, Ian toying around in the office. 
The boys of the neighborhood, gathering around the neighbor’s sandbox. 
November 20th, the kids in Ian’s class give thanks! 
That same day, we got a visit from Phil and Joyce, and their little boy, Vonn! Ian and Nina love hanging out with Vonn! 
He’s a cutie! 
October 30th, Ian and Nina and I carving pumpkins for the big night! We started with these sketches. Ian drew his own, Nina art directed Daddy. 
Phase 2! 
Ew! 
Scoop! 
Ew again! 
Costume trial run! Ian is Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Nina is “Kitty Hellooooo!” 
Ian waiting at the bus stop, something we do every weekday morning. He’s such a cute kid. 
Halloween morning, Nina looked so awesome at her Halloween party at school! See how cute? 
Working on a project with Mommy… (Hat was getting a wee too hot.) 
Gathered together waiting on the adults. 
I can’t kiss those little cheeks enough. She’s so sweet! (This one’s worth looking at closer.) 
At the firestation – yup, the kids went around the neighborhood. It was cold. 
Ok, seriously daycare, it is cold. Are we really going to go over to the… alright I guess, here we go. 
Somebody watched Avatar, the James Cameron movie, I guess. Huh. 
Ian’s class… he’s on the right. 
Noticed these up on a board while we visited. 
Ian makes his own cupcake! 
He seemed to think he had force-like powers once he donned the Anakin costume. 
And here we are, on actual Halloween! 
This is an accurate picture. Nina was a blur! 
Here’s how our pumpkins turned out. Nice! 
Both kids really enjoy handing out candy more than they do getting it. 
Although this is the Nina face that you get when you tell her she can’t have a fifth piece of candy. 
Clara and Jake from next door… that’s “Peanut the Dog” there too. 
A happy accident, Brendan, from next door was Obi-Wan, Anakin’s master! 
Yay, candy! 
*You’ll poke your eye out, kid.* 
October 28th, how could we not keep Ian’s awesome boojamas and try them on our little girl? 
Get some air, Nina! 
Ian gets in on the action! 
Of note, I carefully folded these jammies and put them in a drawer to keep for the rest of my life. I sort of couldn’t help myself. They grow so quickly. 
Still getting some air! You’ll notice that Nina has upgraded to Ian’s old mattress. This poor thing. I have a feeling that by the time both kids are done with it, it will have all the firmness of a warm ice cream sandwich. 
Polishing those toothies! 
October 23rd – Alright, not sure what’s going on timeline-wise here… I recall in particular that Melissa wasn’t here for this, because I remember telling her about this… yet I can’t think of where she’d have been, really. Let’s just assume my camera shot-date is correct. I did not get a very good shot of this, but what happened was that I came into the daycare classroom, looked around at every kid, didn’t recognize any of the kids as mine — and then noticed the cutest chicken on Earth was running around under my feet. 
She wouldn’t hold still long enough for a good shot, and had de-feathered herself in moments… but hopefully these will give you a glimpse into the cuteness that was! 
October 24th, at home, Nina takes Pluto for a walk! 
October 25th, these are taken from Mommy’s camera; she got to accompany Nina on her field trip to a different apple orchard! Here she rides a tired looking horse. (Bonus points for the pun?) 
Obviously I don’t know precisely what happened, because I missed out on this particular event. I believe she probably got to pick out a pumpkin. 
Here she shows Mommy the way to the fun! 
Great smile, but Daddy suggests a restraining system and/or airbags. 
Footed with her rainboots, there’s no place she could not tread. (Pun bonus points.) 
I think I remember Melissa telling me that Nina really loved this jeep, and rode around in it a lot. 
Did she share well? Hmm… Daddy’s first and best guess is “not at first, but eventually she probably gave the other girl a turn and maybe even helped her around the play area.” Daddy’s alternate guess is “Eat sand, blondie.” 
Did Nina have a great time? Signs point to “yes.” (Pun points, booyah.) 
That night, our little sweetie. We’re having problems remembering where she got the nose injury. Melissa and I are betting the daily daycare sheets will explain the story. 
October 26th, Ian on what can only be “hat day” at Valley View. 
October 26th, Nina knows the art of smiling with one’s eyes. 
A cute Easter hat plus princess slippers? Sure! Why not? 
Our little doll. 
October 23rd, Ian had a field trip at Sklerchenbirch’s Country Basket. It isn’t really called that, but it might as well be. You can see Ian excitedly pointing out to his friend Nathan that his parents have already arrived. 
He’s such a sweet boy, to be so excited. That or he’s saying “Nathan, they made it AND they’re actually on time!!!” 
*And this is called a Miss Mae Golden Delicious Cross Blend McKenzie Tasty Tart’n’Kart South Nigerian Double Rainbow Apple.* And honestly, not a single kid gave a rat’s patoot. Most parents didn’t either. Look at that dude with the beard back there, you know he’s contemplating bolting for the door. 
*Doughnuts? Now you’ve got our attention, lady.* 
Ian awaits the cider before digging in. Jack, the gentle giant next to Ian, would eat a small llama if it didn’t run fast enough. 
Then it was time to pick up a pumpkin. It needed to be orange, vaguely pumpkin shaped, and fit in a Meijer plastic bag. 
Mission Accomplished. 
Ian turns the wheel to feed the goats. Look, I could explain to you how turning the wheel feeds the goats, but it’d probably be better for both of us if you just take me at my word. Wheel turn? Goats fed. Boom. 
The whole gang. Ian is the light-haired blond-ish white boy in the picture. That was a joke. Ian is about five from the right. 
Mrs. Lanham paused to snap this delightful picture of the three of us. It was a great afternoon! 
October 2nd, one of the side benefits of my gig with the game developer, was free T-Shirts. Here the kids try them out! 
October 5th, our crazy kids hanging out with those crazy boys next door! 
October 6th, at Elena and Scott’s, we got to see Rowen, Isaac and Levi to help celebrate Jimmy’s birthday. 
This is Jimmy. What, you didn’t look at that owl and say “Hooo?” 
October 7th, Ian with a spiky do! 
Out little dinosaur roars! 
And smiles the cutest smile! 
Love you, little reptile! 
Ian said that he looked a lot like Batman with these two bathtoys on his face. 
October 8th, there’s a sandbox at the school playground, and recess not too far away from when he comes home. The result of this particular scenario is that I end up with a cup of sand coming home every weekday. 
October 11th, fall makes our neighborhood look fantastic, but I’ll still take spring any ol’ day. 
Ian didn’t think much of the applesauce they made at school. 
The school principal got soaked with waterballoons for charity. Ian can be seen in the foreground, with two blue stripes on his sleeve. 
Daddy and Nina. 
This is a much cooler effect in person… the trees in the background are part of a circle around a lake – they got a little sunlight before those in our foreground, creating a look like the trees were almost on fire back there! 
October 12th, another pic that makes Michigan seem a little nicer than it is. 😉 
October 14th, Nina getting her hair cut. 
Nina coloring a dinosaur while we sit in church. 
Ian walks with Nina to JAMS, the church gathering of young kids. Sadly Nina sorta got kicked out for being waaaay too young, but it was still neat to see Ian protecting her on the way. 
October 14th, every once in a great while, Nina will disappear from view, and when you go to find her, it usually turns out that an elaborate event (be it a tea party or what have you) has happened somewhere. Typically to understand it, you need an explanation, and Nina will be all-too-happy to tell you what’s been going on if you’ve got the time. 
October 22nd, Ian cuddles with his bear on the couch, covered in his old blankie. I have to keep reminding myself that someday I’ll wish he was this small. 