Just got this from my Mom! This is so true - both metaphorically and literally! I LOVE shoes!

This is what we do when cooped up on snow or rain days!

Making cupcakes

Here they come, just in time...

Recently, Ethan has developed a fascination with the Boomerang channel from Cartoon Network - it houses the classics, like Thundarr the Barbarian, Smurfs, Yogi Bear, Quick Draw McGraw, Hong Kong Phooey, Dino Boy, Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, and now the Powerpuff Girls. I understand a 4 year-old getting into Tom and Jerry and Scooby Doo, but not really getting the Powerpuff thing. This cartoon doesn't bother me as much because there is always a good lesson to learn and the girls are good forces. I usually watch TV with him, so I know what is going on and what influences he has. There is one character, which I find interesting and eery. "Him". He's a character sketched much like the devil. He can morph from his original to very big and scary. In every episode he is in, his voice is very calm and he conducts evil in very subtle ways... for example, one episode, he gave the children candy. He was mocked by the other villains but he said "why not give them a lifetime of pain in cavities". This is a concept, the devil, that I think is not so obvious in other shows. It kind of creeps me out, but at the same time... don't our kids need to know that evil can be everywhere or anywhere and even in the little things? And that you can be easily tricked or influenced by the wrong examples? I mean, I'm just saying.

Christmas 2010

This year we drove out to Ohio. Rhonda and the kids live in a small town outside of Cincinnati. It's very quaint and very Christmas-y with the snow. Initially, the drive was treacherous thru Indiana, but we persevered. It was so worth it because Santa via Grandma Nancy got Ethan the Polar Express train and it has not gone untouched since. This was also the first time in, I-don't-know-how-long, the whole family has been together. We ceased the opportunity and snapped some family photos - SOME chose not to cooperate ;) Regardless, we had such a great time, and Ethan bonded with Matt because he took us sledding.

It's Beginning to look a lot like...

something.... y'all know I don't decorate for Christmas, nor do I enjoy it. But, I gotta say, it sure does help when I have someone getting the decorations for me (Thanks Mom's). Ethan has been talking about "putting Christmas up" for a week and a half now... it is inevitable. We knew the day would come when we would have to "get in the Christmas spirit" and put decorations up. Ethan loves it. He has been humming Santa Clause is Coming to Town and saying how cute and beautiful Christmas is. Unfortunately, this will be the last year I can get away with having a mini tree, it's perfect for the very few ornaments we have as of now.

Hello Santa! This year Ethan was too excited to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what he wanted most for Christmas. I have no idea what they chatted about - but Ethan was all grin's. He saw Santa, chatted him up while smiling from ear-to-ear, took his picture, got his candy, and said to Santa "we have to leave now, don't forget". I have no idea...

Happy Thanksgiving.

Larry preparing for dinner...
.... Ethan preparing for dinner


Dad's holiday bubbly...

...Ethan's holiday bubbles

Last weekend our awesome day care provider's daughter got married. Ethan got to be the ring bearer, our table was awkward and the angles weren't that great, so the pictures didn't turn out well, but we thought he was cute nonetheless.

Happy Halloween

This year we went to the church Trunk-or-Treat Friday night before Halloween. Ethan was not very interested in getting candy, but wanted more to give the candy to the "childrem"*. He would wait for the kids to say "trick-or-treat" then he would ask "okay, which do you want"?

On Saturday, we did

Monster's on Main Street with my girlfriend from work and other work friends. The kids had a blast, but Ethan, of course wanted to pull his wagon more than trick-or-treat.

On Sunday - Halloween - Ethan wanted to dress up and hand candy to the childrem* as Super Ethan to the Rescue.

*not a typ-o, Ethan says Childrem, not children

This weekend we took the Metra to Union Station, and a cab to the Shedd Aquarium. Big time fun for everyone since it was my first time ever to the Aurora station, Mom Nancy's first time EVER on a train, and Ethan's first time commuting... I love Shedd.

Pumpkin Days

Blackberry Farms started their October Pumpkin Days this weekend. What a weekend. The weather was awesome and so unusual for this time of year... scoriching over 80 degrees. We had so much fun riding "Little Red Train", the carousel, and hay rides with "Terrence, the Tractor" pulling a wagon. We painted pumpkins and had lunch as well.

Ethan's birthday was on Tuesday, Mom was here all week to celebrate. In true Nana fashion, Mom spoiled him with treats and toys all week. Nana made a strawberry shortcake giant cupcake for Ethan, she helped him color and draw, and created a pumpkin of many faces. They has such a great time together. I am so disappointed to discover I have not one picture of Mom and me! Wah!

Happy Birthday, Ethan

4 years old! Can you believe it? We celebrated Ethan's birthday at a local restaurant that has a train half way around the wall. Ethan is obsessed with trains, in case you haven't noticed. The kids got to make their own pizza's while the adults got to pick from a mexican style buffet. It was a blast and he had a ball! Thanks for everyone who came, and participated, and thanks to family for their contributions and presents (I mean attendance, not just gifts to Ethan).

Even though it was Dylan's birthday, Ethan had fun on his own. Such a cute idea, Stacie had a Carnival theme with games and hot dogs.