Merry Thanksgiving

We celebrated Thanksgiving-as-Christmas this past weekend with Jonathan's side of family, as is our tradition on the years that we don't spend Christmas Day together. The girls again loved playing the role of hostess and Mali had no idea she wasn't the same age as her "grown-up" cousins Trent and Lauren. We feasted and celebrated and reflected the many things for which we are thankful. And now we're sporting Ball State gear around here and finishing up the last of Grandma Deni's spinach balls. Let the holidays continue!

Reunited with "Our Ryans"

At least that's how Mali has been referring to them lately...they are otherwise known as Mike, Kellie, Jack and Abigail. They graciously drove out of their way to stop at our house for an overnight and what a time we had. I meant to beat Kellie to posting about their visit, but she won, so you can read more about our pumpkin-filled adventures here.
I mentioned to Jonathan how Kellie and I always seem to "mother" our little ones in a similar fashion. He agreed. Maybe it's because we basically learned how to be mothers together? Whatever the reason, it was refreshing to be with our play date buddies again.

Unfortunately these pictures don't capture any of the fun that us adults had together...or the stuffed Dalmatian that Mali insisted on buying for Kellie when I asked her to pick out Christmas presents for Jack and Abigail. I'm sure that was top on Kellie's Christmas list.

I'm not making this up!

Lately, Mali has taken to falling asleep with several stuffed animals. We're not sure where that comes from since she has never shown that much interest in them before. Maybe it's because The Ryans are coming for a visit tomorrow! Her buddy Jack was always up for a stuffed animal cuddle. But back to the subject, she now sleeps with her "Aunt Grace bear", a racoon, a sheep, a huge Winne the Pooh, and Brinn's Holly Hobby. She snuggles up with them on her pillow and then we hear her singing lullabies to them.

What did she sing yesterday at naptime? Roll Out the Barrel. Just in case anyone needed a quick polka in the crib.

A Night at the Gardens

Amalia, Brinnly, & Madeline

They may disagree on hockey teams (our girls favor the Penguins) but they are sure glad to live in the same city and state. Brinn was so excited to play with the bigger girls that she even attempted a few steps to join in the chase!

Ring-Around-The-Rosie

Even more fun now that we now that Mike, Kim and Adison taught us the additional verses:

I'm tapping on the floor, I'm tapping on the floor.
Everybody jump up when I count to 4.
1-2-3-4!

I'm tapping on my knee, I'm tapping on my knee.
Everybody jump up when I count to 3
1-2-3!

I'm tapping on my shoe, I'm tapping on my shoe.
Everbody jump up when I count to 2.
1-2!

I'm tapping on my thumb, I'm tapping on my thumb.
Everybody jump up when I count to 1.
1!

Prayer request

Please take time to check out the link on the right for the Maleski Family Fund. Anthony Maleski is a friend of ours from Pittsburgh who was struck by train two weeks ago. You can read more details about the accident as well updates on that site. Please remember his wife Anna and their three young children in your thoughts and prayers.

Just in time to try out that Halloween candy

Brinnly now has now has two teeth!

Two Elephants Went Out to Play

We really did up Halloween this year. First stop was the East Grand Rapids Library for our regular story time. This week, the kids came in costume and the kind librarians and city workers hosted our little parade. Here's Mali with her new hero, Miss Trish (aka the children's librarian)
And then we joined our neigbors for trick-or-treating on our block. As if candy wasn't enough, Mali also greatly enjoyed her first sip of orange soda.