Decking the Halls

The tree is lit...

...the stockings are hung...

...the stable is full...

...the snowmen are dancing...

...and the plate is waiting.

The Saturday before Thanksgiving, I dug out our Christmas boxes and got to work. I'm not sure if I lacked energy or interest (or a healthy dose of both) but it doesn't seem like our halls are too decked out. It's not that we have a whole lot of holiday decor; maybe four totes full of ornaments, trees, and snowmen. But of what we do have, I scaled back a little bit. Drew did help me decorate the tree, hanging all of his quickly growing collection of ornaments. Reed participated, as well, by hanging his first.

Our tree is pretty small; four feet tall, perched on an old coffee table to make it look bigger. It's pretty bland, with just lights and ornaments. But there's something special about those ornaments. A collection of old and new, store-bought and homemade, one commemorating my birth, and the newest celebrating Reed's birth. Those made with love by Brad's grandma, and the one given to me in memory of my grandfather. It's got history, our tree. It's not so flashy, or bright, or grand. Someday I'd like to really deck the halls, with fanciness, glitter, and all things sparkly. But there's something special about our little tree. Something special, indeed.

Giving Thanks

This post is long overdue, primarily because I've gotten really bad about taking photos and therefore, once again, have to rely on the grandmas to send me their pictures.

To celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday, we made the rounds to Pella, Des Moines and Mankato, to see and spend time with our families. (I kind of cringe with the idea that one day I'll have to cook a turkey...might want to have Pizza Hut on speed dial that day!) We left mid-morning on Wednesday and headed to Pella to spend the remainder of the day with Brad's parents. We went to their Thanksgiving Eve church service, and we were lucky enough to see Great-Grandma Vander Waal as well as some of Brad's extended family. Thursday morning we trekked over to Des Moines where we had a delicious and very filling Thanksgiving lunch with the family. We ate, played games, and once the tryptophan kicked in, some of us were able to snooze for a bit (although somehow that turkey sleep-agent has the opposite affect on toddlers...).

Playing with Daddy's old cars.

I'm sorry to say they don't quite have the speed of Lightening McQueen.

At the kid's table (I think Drew brings down the average age quite a bit).

The big kid table. :)

Playing puzzles with Aunt Sheryl.

Reed and Matt (the youngest and oldest Vander Waal grandkids).

Later that evening, we traveled up to Minnesota, arriving around 10pm. By the time the boys were both tucked in bed, I could have showered and gotten out the door for some Black Friday shopping bargains. I was able to sneak in a few hours of sleep before my mom and I ventured out in the wee hours of the morning and found a few things. (Side note: I was very disappointed in Walmart. Very disappointed. Later that day I decided my sleep was too precious to me, and next year, I'll stick with cyber-shopping.) Anyway, Friday was a very enjoyable day, spent with my family, and then on Saturday, my mom's extended family gathered together for Round 2 of turkey with all the trimmings.

A rare sharing moment.

He knows there's food coming.

Playing Candyland with his new friend, Perry.

Drew and Avery.

Watching Cars on Uncle Jeremy's computer.

At the kid's table with Avery and Perry (notice Drew is the only one who won't smile for me. Figures.)

And so, we are thankful. For each other, for our families, our health, our home, our God.

Beyond that, Drew is very thankful for Teddy, Reed is thankful for food, Brad is thankful for DVD players in the van, and I am thankful for pacifiers. :)

Pajama Day

Sometimes, a pajama day is in order.

It might be because it's cold and snowy, and all you want to do it curl up with a blankie and the Disney channel. Other times it might be because mom is too lazy to deal with clothes.

Today, pajama day was instituted because when two boys are sick, it's downright necessary.

Reed - It seems as though as soon as he gets over one ailment, another kicks in. I mentioned in the previous post that Reed came down with some virus while we were gone on vacation, and as I was worried it might be croup, I took him in to see his pedicatrician when we returned home. Croup it was not, but instead, his voice box was inflamed (otherwise known as laryngitis). This, along with his runny nose and cough, made him a bundle of fun (insert sarcasm here). All of that cleared up in time for our Thanksgiving travels, but have kicked back into high gear now that we are back home. With the medicine cabinet in full force, he seems to be coping.

Drew - He is my healthy boy. He's hardly ever sick. I think Reed's been to the doctor more in (almost) nine months than Drew has in (almost) three years. So when Drew doesn't feel good, it's pretty obvious. Long story short, he ended up with a fever last night of 101.8, and sat still from the time he woke from his afternoon nap until it was time for bed (a sure sign of sickness!). He relaxed with Brad on the couch and watched Pixar's Short Films feature on ABC Family, then snuggled into bed. When I went to check on him, he and his pillow were drenched in sweat. This morning, his temperature broke, but he still laid low with all of his Disney pals. He perked up after his nap this afternoon (as you can see) and seems to be back to normal.

Here's hoping both boys are on the mend.

And here's to pajama days!

When the Cat's Away...

...the mice certainly will play!

I've collected photos from the respective grandmas from the time the boys spent with their grandparents while we were away on vacation. The boys spent half their time in Des Moines with Grandma and Grandpa VW, and several of their cousins. Grammy and Papa then picked the boys up on Sunday to bring them back to our house.

I can't comment too much on these photos since I wasn't there :) but I think you can see that the boys (and the grandparents) had fun FUN FUN!

Reed with Elise.

Lauren and Drew.

Drew apparently learned some new games, including Battleship. You can tell he prefers his own rules!

I'm just so glad that Reed has a smile on his face!

I swear that kid will eat anything!

Drew and Alison.

Lewis and Drew.

Playing basketball with Lewis and Alison.

Reed looks comfy...I can't say the same for Lew!

Alison and Reed.

Lauren, Drew (check out that smile!) and Alison.

Grandma and Reed.

How many people does it take to give two boys baths???

or

How many legs can you fit in one tub???

Back home with Grammy and Papa. Papa and Drew doing puzzles.

Sick eyes! Reed ending up catching some kind of virus during the weekend. Many thanks to Grandma and Grammy for struggling through some sleepless nights!

Apparently something was very exciting.

Poor baby Reed with Papa.

More puzzles!

I figured those grandparents would spoil with sweets...and they didn't save any for me!

Bet you can't look at this picture and not chuckle.

Somehow, and I'm not sure how exactly, Handy Manny's tools help Drew with his puzzles.

"Mmm...Elmo. Good!" (Told you he'd eat anything!)

Because in Drew's world, everything is green.

San Francisco

Oh, vacation. How I love vacation!

Brad and I returned this past Wednesday from a long weekend away in the great city of San Francisco. For whatever reason, I had always wanted to visit the city by the bay. Cable cars, the Golden Gate Bridge, Rice-a-Roni...really, what could be better?? And Brad was thoughtful enough to give me this vacation for my 30th birthday (although I quickly realized that by giving me a vacation, he was also giving himself one!). It was really great to get away for awhile, have some time to ourselves, and relax. I guess it goes to show that sleep was on the itinerary as I was snuggled in bed by 8:00 every night! The weather was beautiful (sunny and low 60's the entire time we were there) and the sight-seeing was great.

And I did learn three very important things while we were away:
1) My belief has been reaffirmed that I belong in the Midwest.
2) Public transportation is not for the weak.
3) It is possible to miss my boys more than I could have imagined. They divided their time between their grandparents, and I hope to post pictures of their adventures some time soon, as well.

I've posted A LOT of photos, so if you're interested in seeing what we saw, take a peek.

One view of the bay from Pier 39.

A couple of Nemos flitting about at the Aquarium by the Bay.

Pier 39 (lots of shopping, eating, and fun).

Greg Frisbee performing on the Pier (if you can't tell, he's swallowing fire).

Pier 39's famous sea lions.

A military ship from World War II.

There was this incredibly cool arcade, full of antique games that used to be on the Pier. Brad ended up winning this match.

Our hotel was one block away from The Embarcadero, which is the street that lines the Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39, and all things tourist-y.

Diver Dave educating us about coral reef at the California Academy of Sciences.

The Exploratorium was like a giant exhibit of science fair projects. Brad and I as seen through a heat lens camera.

The infinity mirror.

The Palace of Fine Arts (which houses the Exploratorium).

Me and a column.

Another view of the Palace of Fine Arts.

Brad on a cable car!

Me on a cable car!

At the Yerba Buena Gardens.

We met up with a friend of Brad's at the Raiders/Chiefs football game on Sunday. It was a pretty good game, considering the teams that were playing...

...and I definitely cheered for the Raiders. Their fans are scary. I didn't want to know what they'd do to me if I cheered for the Chiefs!