Thanksgiving time with trip to Durham

We were not all together this year for Thanksgiving break, since Jim had the incredible opportunity to travel on a work trip to Germany for 10 days (more on that in his next post), so I was very happy to be able to travel to Durham for a week and see the Hawkins cousins for two days, and then stay on with Grandpa and Jaja for the rest of the week. [Sadly I didn't take any photos this year of our Thanksgiving meals!!] Instead of being on our own, we were surrounded by family and had a very relaxing, calm week. Although, of course, the boys still wake up at 6 am most mornings.

Look at this wonderful pair - coming up on 46 YEARS of marriage next week!

Family outing to Duke Gardens. Absolutely beautiful, even on a chilly day in November. Do you see that brilliant yellow ginkgo tree??

Dawn redwood

Phillip (oldest boy cousin), Grandpa, and Mattias (youngest boy cousin)

Since I just had my phone, I only took a few snaps this week (I know, I know, I keep saying this with every post).

Walking down to Oval Park with Grandpa

Adella (age 4) was fearless riding down the hill/ramp at the park on this big wheel!

Daniel, Samuel, Phillip and Adella with Matt and Hannah (sorry for the sunshine glare) 

 
On Sunday afternoon Blacknall church was offering an Advent wreath workshop, so Timo and I went. Timo was very enthusiastic and helpful, and ended up doing most of the 'poking' into the wreath while I was collecting greenery and cutting it. At the end he stuck in a huge piece of rosemary and declared it was "the baobab tree".

The finished product, arrived home and rearranged in Sylva

One chilly morning the boys and I walked/biked around Duke's west campus and stopped to watch some construction. I love taking them to campus and enjoying the open space and the buildings.

Another morning we met Lisa and spent several hours at the Museum. Naturally the first exhibit on our trip was the Dinosaur Trail - the boys were SO excited and running so fast I couldn't get more than blurry pics!

Timo helped Jaja make bread this week, and chocolate chip cookies on another day. And, there was park time with Grandpa and riding on his bicycle, cars and legos in the basement, and biscuit breakfast with Uncle Pete and Auntie Rita. We could get used to these frequent visits!

Late fall life and friends in Sylva

Phew, time for a catch-up!!

First, here we go, off on the Polar Express! In nearby Bryson City is the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad train, and in the winter they offer a special Christmastime ride themed after the book, The Polar Express. One weeknight they offered free tickets to locals for their "dress rehearsal" so I took the boys with a big group of friends/connections for the 90 minute ride. There was music, dancing by the crew, chocolate chip cookies, a reading of the book, and a stop from Santa to hand out a bell to each child along the way of the 6 mile journey. The boys enjoyed it and had fun wearing their pajamas (but we were all hungry for supper by the end!). I didn't get any photos of the train because the light was too sharp in the afternoon, and pitch black by the end of the ride.

With Isaac and Luke, about ready to disembark

Just a morning drumming session

More of Timo's creations/villages... I'm always amazed at how he continues to enjoy the same cars and Legos, day after day, coming up with new scenarios and - even more so now - stories and dialogue.

"Mattias, here, I can read you this book", said Timo

Beautiful fall colors here this season! Even just walking down the driveway! At least, when we could enjoy them through the smoke of all the nearby forest fires. It was SO dry for 6+ months and we were in drought conditions, until finally rain returned at the end of November. Some days we didn't go outside because the smoke was so heavy. We feel very fortunate not to have been closer to the fires and needing to evacuate, though we could see the billowing smoke.

Timo and his buddy, Amos, on a Saturday walk through the woods

Look, downtown Sylva goes crazy with Christmas decorations!! Something new we have learned and now love about this little down. The hill in front of the courthouse/library (seen below) and the four blocks of Main St are all decorated with lights and greenery and ribbon.

It's chilly, but we bundle up anyway! Timo, I think you're getting a bit tall for the stroller...

Look at this great kitchen helper, who volunteered to clear the table and rinse all the dishes after dinner one night. I think he gets it from his Dad!!

Our favorite 3rd grandparents

Phil and Gayle Woody: who joined us for a Saturday joint birthday breakfast to celebrate the boys!! (We also invited another family, but they got ill and had to cancel.) Gayle brought a bin of hand me-down Legos and dinosaurs for the boys - brilliant!

Cinnamon rolls and applesauce and sausage, of course!

This is his Very Excited face.

Thank you, chef, for making these this morning!

 
After breakfast, a bit of time to play tee ball and enjoy the mild fall weather we have had so far. Our Japanese red maple (in the background) turned a bright magenta this season and was beautiful.

After using the tee balls, Mattias insisted on trying with the basketball.

Mattias is 2!

[Whoops, sorry to Mattias, I forgot to post these photos since I hadn't been on the computer for a while! That's what happens when you have a smartphone and start doing more from there.]

Mattias turned 2 years old, wow! On Friday, Oct 28th. After our regular breakfast we let him open all his presents. (As you can tell by the darkness outside, this was just before daylights savings so it was still dark even until 7:30 AM.) He then spent most of the morning hauling his new suitcase from Nonna around the house, finding cars and stuffed animals and blankets to put in and out. Perfect.

At two years old, Mattias...

• loves pushing a stroller or pulling a wagon on our walks
• loves trains, either the small trains at the library table or our Lego trains
• loves other cars and trucks and will happily concentrate playing with 1 or 2 for a long time
• favorite times of day: "porridge!" and cereal and banana for breakfast at 7 AM; wrestle time with Daddy after supper. He is pretty tough and a good snuggler, and has just figured out to jump with two feet at the same time
• has recently starting initiating hugs and kisses, or wrapping his arm around Timo's neck for a hug.
• is still quiet and reserved in groups or with new people, but once he warms up, he gets chatty and has the cutest grin, especially when he's trying to get someone to play peek a boo with him.
• has definite ideas about how he likes things, whether what snack bowl he wants or which shoes or which spoon, etc.
• can swing a bat and hit balls off the Tee. Quite impressive.

Friday was also the day of Western's Homecoming Weekend Parade, which goes four blocks down Main St in Sylva. A festive birthday evening celebration for him, with trucks and floats and the marching band and lots of candy being tossed to the kids.

We saw Steve and Ling (Jim's boss), and sat with them for the parade.

Listening intently to his Happy Birthday song (that's a chocolate peanut butter rice crispy treat).

Timo turns 4 years old

As he very proudly tells our friends and neighbors, "I'm getting bigger! Look how big I am. I'm still a big brother. I'm four years old."

Since his birthday was on a Tuesday this year, we had a normal breakfast and opened cards and a couple of presents with Jim there, and then for our morning activity I packed a picnic lunch and let Timo decide what he wanted to do. He chose a hike! We walked along a trail in the hills next to Western's campus, and had the trail to ourselves. It was peaceful and beautiful, and they had a great time. Afterwards we took our lunch to a nearby coffeeshop and I treated myself to a hot chai and Timo was given a free cookie for his birthday! I was amazed at how well-behaved the boys both were; it was such a great morning together.

Running ahead (of course)

 After dinner it was time for desert!

birthday cupcakes with dinosaurs

It was great to have Erin and Luke and Isaac come over to play and join in for cupcakes and some presents. It really made the day to have them with us!!

Even though it was dark, of course the boys all wanted to dig outside!

Recent boys

And a couple more shots of the boys of late, having fun making piles and building a train and other Lego creations. They both love the same things right now and happily play together (with frustrations too, but the good moments outweigh the conflicts). Our mornings have been chilly, so we've been playing at home a bit before getting out and about to the park or trail in the later morning when it's warm.

Online attempt

Timo suggested, "I can read Mattias a book before he goes down to nap."

Trying to see if I can do a post from my phone... How does it look?