Happy Thanksgiving!

So it's rare I do anything early, but I had a free minute so I thought I'd slap these turkeys up and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

Taylor's first creation.  I gave them a body and feathers and let them have at it.

 Chase's first creation.  I think our turkeys ended up looking more like Indian peanuts.

 Chase's second creation.  Not seeing much turkey here.

Taylor's second creation.  It looks like her turkey is startled to find out his feathers fell off.

 Speaking of early, we decorated the Christmas tree today.  The kids are dressed a little early too.  They have hopes of swimming in the pool at the hotel this weekend and they don't want to miss out! 

 The finished product.  Chase was not thrilled to pose for this one.  This is by far the earliest I have ever had a tree up.  I've decided I was more motivated this year because I have space to put it without relocating half of the furniture to the attic to make room!  Yay for space!!

Another Check-Up, Stone Soup & Leaves

 We took our newest family member for his first check-up this week.  He weighed 17 lbs but the doctor assured me that won't last long.  He's going to get big fast!  He peed on the floor for the doctor too.  Such a show-off.

 We were there for quite a while!  

 Yesterday we went to see Chase at school and eat Stone Soup with him.  I didn't have much of a picture-taking view for the program but it was cute.

 Showing off his soup.  He contributed the carrots. He says it's called stone soup because "it has 2 stones in it."  That's the best explanation I can get! 

 Grandma and Vickie joined us for some soup fun.

 Happy to have lunch with his daddy!

 Even better to have lunch with his daddy AND Bryce!

 Taylor tried the soup but decided she would stick with the mac and cheese!

 Happy buddies!

 More happy buddies!

After lunch we took Bryce home with us and played outside.

 The same trio exactly one year ago!

 Taylor showing Zeke some love in her own special way.

Back in the play house.  This never gets old for them even though they have to duck to get in the door now!

Check-Up, Trophy & Trains

 Taylor went for her 3-year check-up last week.  She has shrunk 1/4 inch!  Actually, they just measured her wrong last time, so they say.  She was 31 lbs (50%) and 37 3/4 in (75%).  She is old enough to get a cover-up robe now but she didn't quite know what to do with it!  

 Back at home we have plenty of extra help with the chores these days.

 Chase had his end-of-season soccer party last week at Stevie B's.  

He was super-excited to get his first trophy!

 All the happy soccer players.

 Chase managed to win a ton of tickets playing just a few games so he got some soccer ball treats for his teammates.  He was super-excited about that too.

 The last soccer game of the season was this past weekend.  It was a good time.

 Taylor made friends with one of the other little sisters.  Don't be fooled.  They only watched about 2.3 seconds worth of soccer before they were running off.

 After soccer we went to check out Train Day.

 They got to take a quick ride on the "Teddy Bear Express."

 Checking out another train display.

Back at home Zeke managed to get an entire roll of toilet paper from somewhere.  He must open doors or something.  Last Sunday while we were at church we left him in our bedroom and when we came back he had turned on the tv and was watching the Bengals game.  He is something.

Taylor's Birthday Party

 We had cake and ice cream at our house the actual night of Taylor's birthday.  When it was over, it looked like Barbie had exploded in our house.  Hundreds of Barbie accessories + 1 puppy could be risky.  Luckily, he can't get on the furniture...yet.

 The next night it was off to Kidz Zoom for the "real" party.  She picked a princess party and insisted on blue cookies.  I liked that this stuff plus a few pizzas is all we had to bring and we didn't have to clean up!

 The birthday princess and her daddiepoo.

 One of my favorite party pictures.

 Lots of sliding, bouncing and smiling!

 Happy birthday girl.

 Obviously, some started blowing the candles out before some finished up the singing!

 Time for presents, plenty more Barbie and other fun things.

Little Emmy holding on to thin air for dear life.  She liked it though.

 More fun.

 Plenty of floor space for some tickle torture.

 The birthday crowd - minus a couple that must have still been bouncing.  It was a fun time!

In other news....someone has taken over my chair.

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 Happy 3rd Birthday Taylor!

 Straight out of bed (at 8:30 - she obviously isn't the one letting the puppy out yet!) and opening presents!

 She got a make-up kit, hair styling set, some princess keys and jewelry. Chase figured the options were pretty limited, so he might as well play along with what she had!

 She might need a little more practice.

 Wow.  They did at least have fun with it.

Opening more presents from Grandma and Vickie.  She got the boots and purse (in the first picture) and some clothes and other goodies.  Zeke got the paper and bag.  It was all a dog could ask for.  The birthday party is tomorrow and more Halloween pictures coming sometime soon.  Not good planning to have a birthday the day after a picture-taking holiday....too many pictures, not enough time!