Thanksgiving Extravaganza!

We had one of the most festive Thanksgivings this year. It started off with Madison's Pow Wow Music program a week prior to the actual Thanksgiving day. The kindergarten classes put on a wonderful performance. They were all dressed up as Native Americans. They chose their own names. Madison was Sweet Crow. They sang several songs and after the Pow Wow the parents (dressed as pilgrims) joined the children for a Thanksgiving feast!
Here are some of the kindergarten girls with their papoos backpacks. The girls looked so cute.

Madison did such a great job singing. She was trying so hard to stay in character as Sweet Crow. She had all the movements and words down. She has been continuing to sing the songs all week.

Thanksgiving morning we head to our friend's house, the Rollins, along with the Oscarsons to begin warming up our Thanksgiving feast from Claim Jumper. Surprisingly, we did end up spending quite a bit of time in the kitchen heating up the food. So here is a picture of the lady folk with our pilgrim hats (courtesy of Madison's kindergarten class) in the kitchen- me, Mary, and Erin.

All of the pilgrims are featured here. Eliot, Angie, Kenny, Erin, Mary, and Curtis.

Maddie, Ellie, and Millie coloring turkeys beforing the feast.

Eliot and Angie as pilgrims.

After the noon time meal we all headed to our separte houses for naptime. Then we reconvened at our house for dessert and gingerbread houses.

We tried to keep the kids occupied with a Christmas movie so the adults could play a game. It lasted for a little while.

Eliot and Curtis attempting to construct the gingerbread houses.

Maddie and Ellie are such cute friends!

Me and Mitchell hanging out in the front yard while the boys played some football.

It was a truly wonderful Thanksgiving. Thanks to our friends who made it so fun. A special thanks to Erin for documenting the day. Now on to the next celebration!

Apple Picking in Julian

First Day of Kindergarten

More fun in Virginia... July 2008

You can't have 4th of July without traditional sparklers. Madison writing her name with the sparkler.
Eliot roasting marshmallows with some of the cousins. FYI- S'mores taste better with dark chocolate and fresh raspberries.
Ana at Burke Lake Park with Maddie and Mitch. We were waiting for a train ride.
Me and the kiddos posed in front of the (stopped) train. Hands down best kid train ride I have ever been on. The scenery was beautiful and Ana had a great song to sing along the way. How does it go again?
Mitchell on the carousel ride at Burke Lake Park. Madison and Ana in the background. Burke Lake Park is one of our favorite spots in Virginia.

Aunt Michaela, Ana, and Madison on the hayride at Frying Farm Park. Another fun Virginia spot. The Park preserves and interprets a 1920s to 1950s farm. It was very fun and interesting.
Mom and Mitch with old barn in the background.
Mitchell was in heaven with these tractors that he could play on.
Ana and Mitch looking at some pigs in the barn. (It isn't clear whether or not the pig was wearing lipstick.)
Ana and Michaela- cute girls!

Fourth of July (Better Late than Never)

After a long flight from San Diego and a late arrival into Washington D.C., Mitchell and Eliot took the opportunity to sleep in. We missed the Pancake Breakfast at the church but there were many other Independence Day activities to come.
Mitchell and Eliot with Cousin JJ and Uncle Jeremy at the Fairfax, Virginia 4th of July Parade.
Some of the cousins with Aunt Melissa and Aunt Michaela.
Some of the parade sights.

Eliot and Scot preparing homemade ice cream. Yum!
Bop Bop with the boys.
Taking the Metro into Washington D.C. for the Fireworks show.
Me pushing the boys through downtown D.C.
The whole gang getting ready for the big show!

Kate and Maddie. They are so cute together and have so much fun!
Sights from the show. It was awesome being in our Nation's Capital for the 4th of July. It was really neat to see the fireworks at the Washington Monument.
The Ward family after a very fun and exciting day!