Dinosaurs

We took the kids downtown to the botanical garden for a dinosaur exhibit. Here are a few pictures:

Happy Thanksgiving

I haven't blogged in seemingly forever. I'm feeling much better and Aubin who was a bit under the weather is fine now too.
We had such a nice Thanksgiving holiday today. It is our family tradition to go to the zoo on Thanksgiving. We were running late getting out of the door this morning and so my mom, Doug, and his mom graciously had us over for dinner at the last minute before our adventure. The food and conversation were just the best. Thanks guys!
Here are a few pictures of our Turkey-day zoo trips from years past. Last year was the only year we couldn't go due to the weather. Usually, it's just perfect and today was no exception. (I love how we can wear shorts at the end of November!)

2005, 2006, 2008





Okay, people. I do try to keep my children tidy and clean. This last picture from today has Aubin with a red Gatorade mustache, pig tail blow-out, and smiling like she just had a stroke. Christmas card worthy? I think not. Surely we can do better.

Hey family and friends. Surgery went well, but running a decent fever. I'm on antibiotics and should feel better soon. Like Rick said last time, those leaves aren't going to rake themselves. Plus, it's getting chilly out so there's wood to chop.
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Sneezings Greetings?

For months I've been trying to get the perfect "Christmas card" picture. Why does this have to be such a difficult task? I have yet to get both kids to sit, smile, and look at the camera at the same time. I have plenty of pictures that show open mouth screaming, scowling, and fidgeting, though. I think this picture of A's "get away from me" expression and H's mid-sneeze has become my new favorite "bad" photo. I took this picture Sunday at the new Salt Lick. (The kids and I met up with Granddad and Rick after their round of golf.) Good times.

a llama

Aubin was talking and singing about llamas this morning. Finally she said, "Mommy, what's a llama? You know, like the next president is 'a llama'".

Fort time

It's no Fort Stanwix, but it'll do. It has been one of those days where we completely exhausted all of our activities by 2:00. (Hence the Fort.) I'll probably take them to the track in a bit and let them ride their big wheels until dinner.

In our usual "bummer" news, I found out Wednesday that my incisions didn't heal properly and I need to go in for additonal outpatient surgery next Friday. No big deal, just one of those things.

Have a great weekend!

Favorite weekend picture

Hayden was checking the battery operated "Amigo" for "oil leaks" with a little Halloween flashlight. He said it "looked good" before taking his sister for a drive.

Big preschool election news! The entire preschool voted on their favorite color and even received a real "I voted" sticker after the activity. The big winner? Blue! I think Aubin was in the "swing" class...I heard they had to watch a 7 minute "infomercial" of a Blue's clues "colors everywhere" episode before voting. Then there was an issue of a kid eating the red crayon....(RECOUNT!)...and someone coloring outside the oval. I don't know...sounds like an intense day.

November tomatoes

Our tomato plant continues to go nuts. We've gotten great tomatoes all summer/fall long from this one plant.I roasted these and made fresh spaghetti sauce for tonight's dinner. Yum. It's coming down this weekend, though. Time to plant something else in it's place for our winter garden.

Happy Halloween!

What a big day! We went to two 'fall festival' parties and trick or treating around the neighborhood. The kids had a blast. I'm glad that Hayden was able to enjoy trick or treating this year. (Last year he hid under his bed!) Both kids scored a ton of "good" candy and shared with Mom and Dad. Thanks H & A.