Thanksgiving

California Grandma (or BK's Mom) has been so kind the past few years to join us here for Thanksgiving.  

We know it is not ideal, since we do not live in a "vacation destination" per say.....

but she is gracious about it:)

We have tried to have some traditions, 

beginning with cinnabuns and watching the parade.

Rhett was excited for his first real cinnabun:)

Later in the day, I attempted to cook with the help of Sylvia, and while we waited for the masterpiece meal {GRIN}

We drew pictures or wrote down what we were thankful for......

Then.....

WE ATE!!!!

I love this pic of BK and his Mom:)

Not too bad:)

I did cheat and did the turkey in the crock pot!

(boneless turkey breast and onion soup tasty and EASY)

I totally recommend it, especially if you are grossed out by guts or bones like me:)

Even the big boys got into it.....

such focus on their eating:)

The most cans I have ever seen.....

It is really a combine, and cornfield made entirely out of cans.

The other Christy R suggested we meet up at the John Deere Musuem.

We have been before and it was fun, but this was a special display for the holidays.

The picture does not do it justice.

One of the workers told us it is all cans on the inside too!  

He even told me how many....

but I forgot.

 That is the corn stalks:)

It is winter, but Russell still wants to wear is flip flops

boy after my own heart.

The climber at it again.....

This is a cute scoop.

Five

Our first little man, 

is less little today.

Quint is five.

Hard to believe, but its true.

We have had the pleasure of watching him transform this past year from a preschooler to a boy.

Its strange, and we are not sure exactly when it happened, 

but when we look at him we see a boy.

Not our little guy anymore, 

but a big boy, 

capable, 

helpful, 

compassionate,

eager to learn and understand, 

a leader.

Quint's favs these days:

building, 

fire fighting, 

any mighty machines, 

how things are spelled,

projects,

anything Daddy does, 

construction,

and much more.

As his parents, we feel it is ok to gush, 

we just think he's amazing.

Fire Truck Hat

Homemade Pizza 

Cake

and one big present:)

What is a party without a present:)

Especially a big one....

A digger.

What could possibly be better?

It was a big success.....

Way to go Daddy.

I love Rhett's dangling feet in the background, 

It just captures the time, soon he will be too big to dangle from the table....

Happy Birthday Q

We love you.

Hawkeye Train 2011

It has become a tradition.

We LOVE the Hawkeye Train

It was much colder than we would have hoped this year, 

but it was still fun.

 And.....

to top it off....

the Hawkeyes BEAT Michigan:)

Keeping the hope alive for this season.....

A great fall day in Iowa

Walking to the train

 

 Waiting for the train,

met the sweetest people, 

a couple who saw our boys and told us they have 5 boys.

Wow, and they were awesome.

They had two teenage boys with them, 

and the boys didn't seem to hate them.

I even saw them taking cute family pics.

Love it.

 On the train

 Off the train:)

 Checking out the football people

 that is a great idea:)

BK and I both wanted to play.

 At the band

 Rhett was rocking out

On the way home....we lost one....

 We were cold, but mostly sad it was over.

It is one of our most favorite things about Iowa.

Goodbye Hawkeye Train for this year:(