Happy Thanksgiving!

We headed to Ephrata for the Thanksgiving weekend.

The weather was chilly and the cousins loved the hot tub!

Aunt Rachel braided the girls' hair and there was a lot of coloring.

The boys played happily in the basement. Such a nice phase of life to let them play and not have to sit in the basement, too!

We headed up to Allstots while Bryan played in the Turkey Bowl Thursday morning.

Fun to see the Pobsts and Aunt Phyllis!

Learning to play Guess Who was an exercise in patience, while the Zags lost in the background.

We also got to visit Grama Sally and Sue and Steve. The kids soaked up all the family!

Back at Johnsons, Rachel directed turkey cookie frosting.

Shannon's bruised nose was a nice addition to the frosting on her face!

Brad and Carol joined us and we gave thanks and feasted.

There was lots of football out front. Mitch and Jack were happy to play against anyone willing to brave the 20 degree temperatures.

Meanwhile, the girls had a concert in the warmth of the house.

Friday was the Apple Cup and we sported our colors! Shan's nose seemed to be purple and gold accordingly.

The kiddos enjoyed some hidden picture books together.

And Grandpa was a willing tackling dummy. He did issue lots of penalties, though, and Mitch was the recipient of many a personal foul.

Saturday morning we had some quiet grandparent time. The kids were helpful in beginning the Christmas decorating.

And they enjoyed more hidden pictures with grandma.

Bryan helped Dave string outside lights before we headed home. Always nice to spend time with our family! Happy thanksgiving!

Wedding Reception

We drove to Salem for the wedding reception, as well as a state playoff football game. Our Tigers won in OT, which was exciting and made Bryan's supervision duties worthwhile.

Meanwhile, we enjoyed time with family at Russ and Julie's new place. Lots of wrestling with Uncle Russ!

They only stopped this time when blood was spotted on Shannon's forehead and subsequently coming from her nose. Oops! 

Then, as seems to be becoming the norm for our Salem trips, Mitch had a loose tooth and an uncle tried to help get it out. 

He pulled it himself!

Saturday was the reception and we were fortunate to have lovely fall weather that enabled outdoor play.

The leaves were beautiful and the face honest.

So inexplicably happy to have a happy brother!

Grama A brought goodie bags for their entertainment - it was a perfect charm!

Mitch also enjoyed helping me take pictures, including this one of his great grandparents Pobst's arrival.

The Chicago contingent was represented by a lovely Beth.

Always so lovely to visit with her! (another Mitch photo!)

There was lots of visiting

and merry making.

Here are the bearded Pobst men - with one deceptively tall Uncle Kevin on his tiptoes!

Happy family

Happy couple!

Shannon is hooking Russ up to the dog leash - a delightful game if you're under 7 years old!

Gift opening and another super late night - worth it all around!

We breakfasted as a group at the Chalet before going our separate ways. So blessed with a wonderful family!

The kids napped on the way home and were asleep by 7pm!

Happy Helper

Since Mitch can't always help with the kitchen work, Bryan has been letting him help elsewhere. Mitch was SO excited to "get" to mow today! He was watched carefully, and assisted with the turns, but overall, mowed the front yard.

As seems to be his trademark, the tongue of concentration emerged.

Then he helped power wash the patio. One happy kid!

The Festival of the Leaves Begins

I had a trip to Ephrata planned for today to visit Brooke and meet her daughter. Then, Bryan had a chaperone adventure on a rooters' bus that didn't get him home until 4am... So, a quick call to the grandparents and the kids came with me!

While I visited, they played and worked. Somehow, work is play when you're on Grandpa's tractor (and get to drive!).

Mini pizzas for lunch...

and then back to work! They nearly mowed me over!

Thanks for the impromptu fun!!!

Shannon is 4!

Shannon is 4!

Since she was tiny, Grama A has called her "Princess Mariposa" so it was fitting that Shan wanted a butterfly birthday.

On Sunday afternoon, we hosted a family birthday party. It's always nice to have our loved ones gather, and this year was no exception. However, it is so evident that our house is shrinking (especially with limited kitchen access!). 

Shannon received so many nice gifts and is a very happy little girl. She told me that her presents were "incredible"!

Lorry's gift radar is once again finely tuned to our child; the singing Elsa doll is beloved.

Reading cards with Dad.

Grama Sally brought her mints and chocolate 4s to mark the occasion. The cake was baked at Amy's house as our oven is in the garage. Very kind of Amy, but something I hope we don't have to repeat!

And a pinata for the littles (in case Halloween, soda, and cake weren't enough sugar)...

Everyone got a whack at it, and then Shan beat the poor thing...

...and stomped on it until the loot was released.

Let there be cake!

Oh, the singing...

Such an amusing stage of life. She's a hugger, loves reading, going to daycare, playing with friends, always wants to know what we're doing that's fun, colors so carefully, and is extremely chatty. So many nicknames, too: Shanzie, Shanoodle, Noodle, Poodle, Shanny Poo...poor child! Happy birthday to our four-year-old!