Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving 2009 at the Dille House.

The Kids Table. Carter and Landon.

They sat for about 10 minutes and then were off playing and causing trouble once again. They run non stop when they are together.
The next generation of Dille's. (and McDonalds)
Owen 13 mo., Brooklyn 3 mo., Carter 2.5 yrs., Landon 2.5 yrs. and Jarom 8 mo. Baby Brooklyn, Nikki and I. Bryan and Nikki's little girl is beautiful and always in the cutest girlie outfits. It's about time we had a niece. I've been itching to buy little girl things and she's just perfect, along with her parents.

Both Owen and Jarom are thumbsuckers. Stealing a little time with grandma before family photos.

After a very long Thanksgiving day and no nap this is where Carter crashed. This is rare and was Mike's favorite part of the day. What handsome men I have to admire.

We had a wonderful trip as always. The boys never stopped and each day found new ways to entertain themselves and new things to get into or dump out at grandma's house.

Carter and Owen went for their first visits to see Uncle Brian the dentist, Dr. Dille. The highlight of that visit was the Cars toothbrush that Carter got. Brushing his teeth just got a lot more exciting. Owen wasn't having any of it and sat with a clenched jaw. But we were able to warm them both up to the idea for next year.

I had a chance to do a little shopping, see New Moon, try out Zumba with my darling sister in laws and had a lot of extra hands to help with the boys. Mike was able to brush the dust of his soccer skills and played indoor soccer with Paul and Brenda. I believe that was his highlight. Carter slept in a big boy bed all week and only figured out how to come to our door in the middle of the night the last two days we were there. Carter hated wearing a coat and each time we would put him in it he would quickly try to take it back off. You can tell he's a Texas boy. Owen was a trooper and slept well even with molars coming in and was a pleasant little man the rest of the trip. He didn't mind wearing a coat and hat and loved the extra attention and love that was given to him.

The food was divine, the company was fun and the memories will last forever... or until our next trip.

Paul and Brenda.

I thought it was only fitting to dedicate a post to Paul and Brenda after our trip. Carter is their biggest fans and spent almost the entire trip following them around. He would go everywhere they went, even if it meant rolling around on their bedroom floor while Brenda folded clothes or talked on the phone. He would even wait outside of their room in the morning trying to peek under the door. They were fantastic as always with all of the kids and it doesn't surprise me at all why the kids love them so much and want to spend every moment with them!In fact one morning Brenda and I went to the gym and Carter followed us to the door crying. As I climbed into the car I could hear him banging on the inside of the door. Mike later told me that he was crying for Brenda, not me, but later whined for me. I know I'm not as exciting and Brenda was his favorite person of the trip. It only hurt my feelings for a little while. :)
Brenda and Carter roasting marshmallows.
Carter, Landon, Brenda and Paul watching football.
Carter and Paul hanging out and then Owen trying to figure out how to climb in the chair with them too.

In Good Company.

Each trip home we get together with a group of Mike's old roommates from college. In fact I remember getting together with these guys when we first started dating. They have each married some amazing women and now I think I look forward to seeing everyone just as much as he does. Another reason why it would be nice to move back north.

We went out for cheesecake late one evening and spent almost two hours catching up and waiting for our deserts. Not the best waitress considering the restaurant was empty and it took that long to cut pre-made cheesecake. Good thing we were in good company or I highly doubt we would have been so patient. Sometimes it's nice to just get out and we were grateful for Mike's parents watching the boys for us.

Group photo missing Tom.
Todd and Marie, Aubrey and Mike, Emily and her little guy Henry, and Mike and I.
Mike, Tom and Todd. Emily, Marie and I.

Trip Pics

We spent a full week in Idaho with Mike's family for Thanksgiving. The time always goes by so much faster than we think and there are always items left on our to-do list by the time we have to go back home. But in looking over our to-do list we realize the most important things were done. By just "being there" our children were able to get to know their grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins better and we were able to create memories as an entire family.

Shala, Landon, Mike and Carter. Our last night there Grandpa and Ma took both boys for a special outing. They went and picked out cars and got happy meals with just the four of them. Here they are eating their nuggets with their new cars in the background.

Owen and I at the campfire at Shala's house. It was cold.

Our family at the City Christmas Tree Lighting. Owen loved the lights. Carter loved the fire truck but didn't love wearing his coat at all.When the lights turned on. That's one excited little boy!

Can't make a trip out there and not hit my favorite place for fresh donuts. We could have stayed and watched the donuts being made forever. Carter was fascinated. Did I mention how delicious there are fresh and warm, just heaven.Grandma Charlotte with all of the grandkids. Jarom/Landon McDonald, Brooklyn Dille and our boys.

Trip-coma.

It's always a little hard coming home after being away for a while. This time was Thanksgiving in Idaho with Mike's family. We've been home for over 24 hours and still feeling a bit disorganized and suffering from trip-coma.

Carter slept for 14 hours yesterday and I only wish that I had as well.
It's good to be home.
We miss the family already.
Lucky for us we have no plans to fly anytime soon.
Will post pictures and Thanksgiving highlights in the next few days... Maybe.
Hugs, A

Snow

We saw snow this morning and I think we were the only ones excited about it too! Mostly because we won't have to suffer through the bitter cold and digging our cars out for the rest of the winter. It stuck for about an hour and has since melted away. But I can attest we did see it!

Last night Owen said "Nana" for banana! He's also saying "Mo" for more, "buh" for ball and still saying mama and dada.

Carter has been sleeping in a big boy bed for two days and is doing great. He hasn't woken up in the middle of the night once and has managed not to roll off. He's a big happy boy!

Also saw New Moon yesterday. I liked it, not sure if I loved it. It was afterall my least favorite book in the series. The special effects were so much better this time, there's still some not so great acting but because I love the books it makes me love all of the characters anyways. Maybe I just need to see it again to be sure. It was a treat, thanks Charlotte for taking all of the girls! The highlight so far. :)

That's it. More later and pictures soon enough.
Hugs, A