Our First Thanksgiving in Ohio

Isn't it ironic that the year we move away from Ohio, we actually get to spend our first Thanksgiving in Ohio.

We are so grateful we still have many connections to Ohio, since we truly miss so many things from there. Luckily Nate's sister and her family still live there, so we still get to visit.

We spent every Thanksgiving while we lived in Ohio in Illinois with my family, so this year we decided to spend Thanksgiving with Nate's sister, Jennett and her family.

We always have fun with the Simpsons and the kids play so well together. Not to mention it is nice to have some girls to show Linz how to play with girly toys.

The Feast is almost ready, doesn't it look fun!!!

Jennett's cute little turkeys

Let the feasting begin...

Linz and Abby at the little table. It is so cute to see the two of them play so well together. They are 2 years apart, but they play really, really well together. Ethan, Luke and Jeana play and then Linz and Abby are little buddies. I love it.

Cincinnati Museum

We went to see the Christmas fun at the museum and of course had to get a few pictures while we were there.

Linz and Jeana

My cute little Luke turtle

And, we cannot forget the famous DS picture. (Linz is borrowing Jeana's pink DS - but I don't forsee it being too much longer before she has a pink one of her own.)

I guess they figured since they were mostly ready for church, it was a good time to all sit down and play for a few minutes.

First Grade Thanksgiving Feast

I had so much fun helping out with the 1st Grade Thanksgiving Feast. All the first graders were in the cafeteria and each class recited a poem or song. Then we all feasted on yummy food.

Ethan with the placemat he made.

FEASTING...
Here are all the 1st graders

What a cute little pilgrim he is.

Have I mentioned I just LOVE helping out in the boys' classrooms. And the best part is, they love me to be there with them (at least for now - must enjoy while I can.)

Hiding Spots

Linz found a new favorite hiding spot and has SO much fun with it. She thinks she is so TRICKY when she is hiding and I, of course, cannot find her.

She invited Luke to play in her cupboard with her. Poor Ethan just couldn't fit in. It is actually sad to see him getting too big for fun games like this. I guess that's why you have one more baby?!?!?!?!

Festival of Trees

We got some tickets to go to the Festival of Trees here in town and we had lots of fun there. I had the kids pose in front of their (or my) favorite trees. There were so many beautiful ones, it was a wonderful way to get in the Christmas spirit...


Here is my little candy cane in front of a cute candy cane tree!!!





Luke in front of his favorite tree.

And this was Ethan's favorite tree; very fun!!!

We splurged and took the kids on a train ride there. Ethan was a great conductor and Linz absolutely loved the ride. The little things that make kids SO happy are WONDERFUL.

Grandpa and Grandma Noakes

Grandpa & Grandma Noakes came to visit and we had a fun few days. Jennett and her girls came to visit also. We took pictures at the park, went black light miniature golfing and had a few eye exams performed. Thanks for visiting and we are looking forward to our next visitors....

Abby and Jeana

the 5 (used to be) Ohio cousins
grandpa, Ethan, Jeana

Just havin' Fun Jennett and her girls

Grandpa & Grandma

PLEASE forgive the large pregnant lady in the front. This is the worst possible place I could have been in the picture - front, center with no child to cover me. I guess this is what I get for being the last one to run in the picture.

The kids loved seeing their white clothes "glowing." The kids all did great and the older ones played 3 rounds to the adults 1 round...

Veteran's Day

The boys had Veteran's Day off of school so we decided to head up to my mom's for the day. We went to the Children's Museum there and the kids had a blast!!!!

It is beyond my comprehension how this CAPITAL city we live in does not have a Children's Museum. Fortunately the Children's Museum by my mom is WONDERFUL. We had so much fun and here are some of the things we did there.

Luke playing in the water.

The boys LOVED climbing in the web... Linz had so much fun shopping for food. Look how heathly she is!!! Ethan and Linz learning about how cereal is made with Grandma

The boys (especially Luke) got such a kick out of these mirrors. He and I made faces in them and laughed our heads off for a good 10 minutes.

This painting area is one of my favorite parts of the museum. I wish I could have a painting area like this in my house. It always entertains the kids forever. Even Linz got in on the action this time.

Linz sneaking a Kit Kat and "playing" checkers.

The boys played a life size game of what I think was supposed to be Chess. Not quite sure where they got their rules from. Ethan's turn always consisted of killing one of Luke's guys, yet Luke wasn't playing right when he got one of Ethan's guys.

Luke challenged grandma to a game of checkers.

They had this HUGE lego table that held Ethan's attention for a good 20 minutes.

We had so much fun. It was fun to be able to spend all day with my buddies again. I miss them when they are at school all day every day.