Thanksgiving week activities

We had a wonderful and quiet long weekend of Thanksgiving family time. Jim was able to take a half day on Wednesday, and then was off on Thursday and Friday. We all enjoyed having him around during the daytime, especially me - for those tricky early morning hours with a nursing baby and a two-year old both needing attention, and momma needing extra sleep - and Timo, who got to play lots of basketball and "tool box" to his heart's delight. His first words every morning getting out of bed are always, "Daddy?"

On Wednesday our cousins Jeremy and Melanie (sans kids) came over for a few hours; they were staying all week for the holiday with Jeremy's family in Denver and drove down to see us. What an encouragement to be able to connect right away and just talk openly about life. For a quick, easy lunch we had some vegan spinach-artichoke dip (soy milk and nutritional yeast instead of cream and cheese), roasted butternut and chickpeas, and various bread and veggies for dipping.

Melanie held Mattias for a long time. He was very content with her!

You gotta admit that is one Handsome Guy.

Jeremy playing ball with Timo. Yes, we let our son play with balls in the house. It would be a futile resistance if we tried to outlaw his favorite thing.

Two Colorado "Natives", and one working-on-it-Native. That beard!

Thanksgiving Day was very quiet in our house. We had a special breakfast of pancakes and cinnamon fried apples; went for a walk in the neighborhood - it was nice and sunny - and watched football. We were feeling very tired and so decided not to join in with two families who had invited us for a Thanksgiving meal.

 Look who is a month old!! It will be interesting to see if these two boys end up looking alike. At this age, Mattias looks a lot like Gemma and Timo did, except that his eyes are a lighter blue-brown, not a dark chocolate brown. The other BIG difference is that Mats is already taller and heavier, and gaining weight so fast. At his 1 month check-up (when he was actually 5 weeks old) he was 23.25 inches - 95% - and 11 pounds 4 ounces - 75%!! On more than one occasion, I have gone to get him in the morning or after a nap, picked him up, and exclaimed, "Good gracious! What happened! You're getting so big!"

On Friday Jim bought a small live tree and got out the Christmas decorations. He also upgraded our Christmas music listening from his "soft opening" of classical and choral music to his "grand opening" Christmas music: Bing Crosby, Sarah Maclachlan, Over the Rhine, Michael W Smith, etc. Timo was very excited to help put the ornaments on the tree. Every day since he has 'helped' un-decorate and re-decorate for us.

Here's Timo exclaiming, "Ohhhh..."

Saturday was quite warm and sunny. After morning reading time (and scattering of toys all over the living room) we went to Palmer Park for an easy hike. It always helps energize me and give me contentment with our days (which right now can be tiring and demanding) to be outside, walking down a trail, looking up at the mountains and breathing in that crisp, cool air.

The headlamp was Timo's idea.

Timo got out of the pack and walked the last part of the hike. More accurately, he meandered slowly down the trail, picking up sticks and grass and throwing them off into the grassy areas. Meanwhile we parents were working on being patient and trying to 'soak in the moment' since he clearly was having so much fun...