Thanksgiving in Ohio

We were all excited to go to Grandma Seibert's house for Thanksgiving. Not only did this get mom out of the majority of cooking, we also were going to see Grandma and Grandpa Taller! What a treat to have both sets of grandparents in one place. That doesn't happen much. But with all the excitement, the morning came with sickness. I woke up in the middle of the night with a really upset stomach. I probably shouldn't have made the drive, but I did and spent most of Thanksgiving day sipping Siera Mist and laying on the couch. No over eating for me. Unfortunately, Evie also came down with something while we were there. Hopefully, no one else ends up with our germs. We also suspect that Annalise wasn't feeling well because she actually took a nap and was very hard to wake up. She is sitting with her legs crossed under her while sleeping. She must have been very sore when she woke up. But wake her up we did because we had to go to Archbold for the Festival of Lights parade. After hearing about it for so many years, we had to see it for ourselves.
We all got bundled up in our snow pants and winter coats to sit out and wait for the parade to start. We went with Grandpa and Grandma and the Edgerton Meyers and the Archbold Seiberts.

Long parade with lots to see. I sat far from our kids so I didn't really hear many of their reactions. I do know that the people who threw candy just came up into the grass and dropped handfuls on them.

These kids on the front of the crane had the best seat in the parade.

Man, that's a big big tractor!

This was my personal, non agricultural entry in the parade because the jaws of the spider opened and the legs all moved.

This was interesting, a float with a fountain! Love the water and electricity mixture.

Santa on a School Bus! Wish he would come to our bus stop.

The family favorite for best entry. Too bad we can't photo shop out the archbold equipment and make it our Christmas card.

We came home on Saturday because Grandma and Grandpa had a party to go to today and they were probably also tired of listening to the girls have tantrums. I am convinced that they had some sort of bug because they slept until 8 am this morning after going to bed early on Friday. I retreated to the basement with my pizza and beer to watch the Buckeyes and Jim headed up to do a science experiment with Evie. This is their floating whirly gig made with candles. Tomorrow...outside Christmas lights!

Annalise's Thanksgiving program

Tuesday marked the traditional Preschool Thanksgiving program. It was just as adorable in years past with all the kids picking their noses, pulling up their dresses, punching their friends, and just plan old turning around and facing the wrong direction. Adorable. When we started at this preschool, there were 5 classes. Now there are at least 10, maybe 12. They started with the youngest classes, which meant that Annalise's class was 3rd to last. They did a nice job with their songs and poems. Here's her whole class. She's the one in the pink sweater and the falling off skirt. She wouldn't let me fix it with a safety pin. I will have to sew it to take it in when she is sleeping.
In her class, Annalise's best friends are Arielle and Sadie. She is standing between them.

Telling the Turkeys to watch out for Thanksgiving.

4 year olds are so cute. Can't believe this is our 4th preschool program. One more to go until Kindergarten.

Company

This past weekend was a busy one for us. On Saturday, we welcomed our friends, Jen, Moe, Mazie and Adli all the way from St. Louis. We hung around on Saturday just visiting and watched the lights get turned on in Carmel. On Sunday, we opened the Children's museum We covered most of the museum, including the basement!
In the Polar Bears and Penguins, exhibit, the kids all pretended they were penguins. All except Annalise who wanted nothing to do with it.

What's a trip to the Children's musuem without a ride on the merry go round?

Mazie entertained us all with serving us fake food.

Evie, Annalise and I built the high tower together in the construction zone. Thanks for coming, Jacobs family! We had a great time seeing you and would love to come visit St. Louis, even if it is the country's most dangerous city.

Back at the homestead, our artist created this landscape.

After a morning trip to the zoo on Monday with the Jacobs (in which I took no pictures), we met up with Erica and Elle for lunch at my favorite place, Patachou. Then we crossed the street to visit the Indiana state capitol building. Erica and Clay were married there 10 years ago this month.

It was still as pretty as when Erica got married, and empty too! We basically had the place to ourselves.

Evie and Annalise played so nicely with Elle. She was never in need of a playmate. Elle rewarded us all with lots of smiles and giggles. She is such a sweet baby!

Annalise and Elle play before school. Thanks for visiting us Erica and Elle!