Gobble, Gobble

A little delayed in getting to this post, but better late than never! We had a very Happy Thanksgiving, Quad Cities-style with lots of family, food, and fun!

Lainey adored spending time with her cousins and pretty much followed Amelia around like a shadow. She learned some new card games and did fairly well participating and following the rules. Amelia and Oliver were very patient with her. Nick and Eleanor didn’t seem particularly interested in each other at first, but came around by the end of the weekend, and I managed to snag a great picture of them together. Nick is not much taller than Eleanor, but I feel like his body is twice her size. It was funny to watch the differences in how they move. Eleanor is a dainty, agile girl who flits, and Nick is a brick of a boy, who lumbers. But, don't let her sweet voice and prancing fool you...Eleanor is a girl who is in charge! (I love it!)

Rebecca and Tim hosted the big feast for Thanksgiving (thank you, again!). The younger kids had a blast playing in the basement and being dragged around on bean bag chairs by Mark and Matthew. Luckily for them, Jacob and Ben stepped up to take over the heavy lifting (or dragging, I suppose) and give the old men a break. Such great big cousins! More fun was to be had on Friday with the whole crew together again at Frank and Lonnie’s for pizza, a dance party, and more games! Lainey was in heaven. When it was time to go on Saturday, Lainey cried, “but, I’m having so much fun at Grandma’s!” How did a long weekend go by so FAST?!!!

Nick usually sleeps like a log in Moline (because we room him in a pitch-black closet), but not so much this time. He was up at the wee hours most mornings, likely due to a brewing ear infection, which we didn’t get treated until Sunday. Lainey slept fairly well, however, and I got two mornings of cuddles in bed with her. We threw bedtimes out the window while we were there, and I thought both kids were going to be completely ruined, but they’ve gone right back to the old routine and have actually slept late every morning since we’ve been back.

I am thankful, thankful, thankful for my wonderful family, food in our bellies, a roof over our heads, and an endless supply of love!

Bean Bag Shenanigans

Cousins!

I just love this picture!

The Brandi Siblings