A Bunch of Turkeys

The Turkeys before the Trot (this year in Redding, CA)

Millie and Cruzer running so very fast I almost missed them.

My Candy Man's favorite part of the kid's race--nothing like chocolate at 8am

The 2-miler by two strong turkeys and two lazy turkeys (suck it up while you can--lucky for you Cruzer, Pop Pop was there...I have little mercy)

The Gobblers very daintily eating their Thanksgiving dinner

Auntie with the patience of Job making a gingerbread house with all the cousins

The Clan (minus our Texas Nobmann's boys and Virgina Clawson lady)

The biggest Turkey of all and his attempt at what he called "Getting handsome and clean"

All done while he was supposedly going to bed. Gel, at least the glue kind Beau has, need only be used in small amounts. I believe Cruz used more than a dime size. I'm thinking he used a handful of dimes size. 3 washes later and he was VERY clean and VERY handsome and his hair still could have stayed nicely combed for about a week without moving.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING.

Stuck

Places that used to be easy to get out of change when you keep growing. O wasn't too happy about this picture. Although he was crying of frustration, we couldn't stop laughing.

Cruz had some different body parts stuck later this same night. I went in to check on the boys before going to bed and realized he had put his rain boots on. Have you ever tried to get rain boots off a sleeping kid? Good thing Daddy came to the rescue because this Mommy had no luck.

Leave it to the kiddos

We all headed back East--the two littlies and I on Tuesday and Beau on Friday. My Grandpa's memorial service on Saturday was just lovely. I don't think I have ever been to a Quaker memorial, but if they are all like his was--what a terrific celebration of life. It was so great to hear all the wonderful attributes of his that he had impacted on so many others--characteristic and features that I already knew were true of J.R., but neat to hear from others experiences and from various facets of his life.

The days leading up to his memorial were filled with tons of quality family time. Almost everyone was at my Grandma's house for about 10 hours each day. It was a nice relaxing bonding time for all, but the great grandkids definitely stole the show. It took about 45 seconds for them to warm up to each other. Our boys adored their second cousin Kobe and vice versa. I don't remember much (if any) entertainment necessary from the adults.

Their happiness was contagious. Oshyn and Kobe were always off exploring, while Cruz went back and forth either with them or entertaining the adults.

As they were getting their pjs on one night, the comment was made, "We're like brothers, but we're cousins!" A week that could have been spent with many tears and sadness was spent with smiles and laughter. I am thankful for my family and all they are. We couldn't have planned this any better.

The First Man I wanted to Marry

Well, I had to have been too young to know that it wasn't kosher to marry your own grandfather, yet old enough to realize he was quite a catch...but my desire was real--I truly thought I would be in pure bliss if I could marry my Grandpa.

To say I have admired and looked up to this man is an understatement. I have forever been proud and thankful to call J.R. Miller "Grandpa". He was the perfect example of humility, tenderness, honesty, morality and love. He was wise because of his thirst for knowledge and willingness to listen. He loved nature and captured it wonderfully with his camera (before that was easy). He was a fabulous writer and lover of family history. He could whistle two tunes at once and sang with a special sweetness. His own personal light of Christ shined from within even when the going got tough. He had a sense of humor that carried him to the end. He had a love for his sweetheart that was unreal and unwavering.

His desire in life was to be a "good man". Sorry Grandpa, but you far surpassed that desire. You were and will always be in my eyes and so many more a "great and marvelous man".

I love you and will miss you until we meet again.

To Oshyn and Cruz

I love when you wake up on your own for school and are happy for the day to begin.

I love how without being told you go downstairs while I'm in the shower and get your little brother a drink (not just any

drink but chocolate milk).

I love to hear "thank you" and "your welcome" with pure gratitude between the two of you (and without any prompting).

I love when you get excited to be the big brother and get your new little brother a drink, just like your big brother got you.

I love to hear "I love you Mommy so much...all the way up to heaven in a circle" when I'm wiping your tiny booty on the potty.

I love to ride scooters with you and laugh at all the stares we get...first, when they see someone so little riding a scooter so well and second, when they see the lady, so large with child, riding behind you.

I love the excitement when you come out of the cafeteria to meet us.

I love my hugs and kisses.

I love to see 2 boys riding scooters home together waiting so patiently for their slow mommy.

I love that because the policeman told you to always walk home with a friend or parent that as bad as you have to go to the bathroom you want to do what is right and not speed ahead (but that I can convince you that I'm right behind you--and I'll watch you go).

I love that you have attitude, but as you give it to me you usually still do what I ask.

I love that you have been Robin everyday since Halloween.

I love that you say, "Look at my eyes", love anything "black", and want to be a fire engine when you grow up.

I love you and I love that I'm your Mommy.

I wouldn't want life any other way.

Let the baller begin

Last Saturday was O's first bball game for the year. He had fun, but was bummed they lost. I told him no worries, he'll have next week and the next week and the next week and the next week and the next week and the next week to get 'em. And that wasn't an exaggeration. There are only 2 teams. Seriously?! Luckily he continues to entertain us because Saturdays are about to become a bit Groundhog day-ish.

The Candy Meisters

Halloween finally arrived after much anticipation from the superheros at our house.

As soon as we got up I said, "Happy Halloween!" Oshyn returned the salutation while Cruz said, "Can we eat all of the candy now?" That was just a little omen for the Halloween evening to come.

At about 6pm I poured some bags of candy into a bowl. Cruz didn't miss it and got some handfuls right away. I told him not to eat that candy, it was for our trick-or-treaters. He said, "Trick-or-Treat...Can I have one now?" As we went out ourselves he had a lolli in his mouth at all times. We would try to explain to him about putting it in your bag until later, but he said, "I CAN'T I NEED to eat it!" Much of the night went on with him on a mini sugar high and everyone else cracking up. At one point I said to Beau, "This guy is funny." But was interrupted by some cackle-type laughing from our backseat. "HA HA I LOVE my BIG lollipop!!" Batman was at his best. After singing the Batman song and announcing to every house--BATMAN!!! we came home. He expressed his gratitude for me suggesting to him to go potty and then proceeded to do the "stanky leg" out of nowhere. After both boys were in bed I could hear him singing "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don't, I don't care I'll go get some ice cream."

Oh what fun it is to see the effects sugar has on this guy that is filled with so much spunk already.

As for the O man. Oshyn was so into character and all business. He is a Halloween pro and did much posing for people that wanted pictures of the dynamic duo. And although he desired to eat much candy, it didn't take much convincing to have him stop at 5 or 6 pieces...he remembered what happened last year.

One of the many things I love about having kids is reliving all of the fun we had as kids and seeing it through a different set of eyes. We should dress up every night.