What a lovely Sunday. We just got home from Thanksgiving dinner round three (none of which I had to cook-score) with some friends at the Bill's house. I spent the morning lounging in bed and cuddling with the kids while Sam did most of the parenting. Church was great. There were three baby blessings and two wonderful talks on service. It was so perfect to hear those words before heading into the Christmas season. I'm already getting too caught up with the secular things (like which electronic device to get for the man), and it was nice to be reminded about what is really important.  

We had a fantastic, relaxing Thanksgiving week. I am feeling especially thankful for the wonderful friends we are making during our time in Evanston. The Mr. had the whole week (!) off from school, and we enjoyed every second having him home. Parker was in baseball (and football, and golf, and basketball) heaven. That kid sure loves playing sports with his daddy. Monday night we had a sleepover in the family room and watched Cars 2, but not until the boys got some jumping in (something we don't let them do when our mattress is on the bed)!

Tuesday was a free day at Shedd Aquarium, so we went down with some friends to make faces at the fish. 

Wednesday night the LDSSA hosted a pie night with 7 different kinds of pies!  My favorite was a toss up between the french silk & triple berry.  Or maybe the pumpkin caramel.  

Thanksgiving morning we took the train into the city with the Jacksons & Marshes to see the Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Woot!  .  

Apparently the Chicago parade is the 2nd biggest Thanksgiving parade in the country. They even had some big balloons floating down State Street. We were laughing, though, that our kids didn't recognize most of them because they are so old (Garfield, Rocky & Bullwinkle). Where's Phineas & Ferb?  We left early to beat the crowds onto the El so we didn't see Santa, but we'll be hitting him up later this month fo sho.  

This band was invited to play at the Olympics in London next year!

We are so lucky to be in Chicago, especially at Kellogg where we have met the most fantastic people who we love hanging out with.  Since we can't be with family, they are definitely the next best thing!

Last month my bestie Bridget was up in Naperville with her in-laws for a couple days and came out to see us for a few hours.  Yay!  Bridget and I have been friends for almost 15 years and it's kind of surreal to see our children playing together.  Lucky for us we had a nice warm day and were able to spend some time playing at the beach.

at least they're all looking in the general direction of the camera

We had a busy Halloween season.  To be honest, I was really glad for it to be over and took down the decorations first thing the morning after.  Between two Kellogg Halloween parties, ward party, and two trick or treats, I was Halloween-ed out! 

ward party costume parade

Lincoln was very successful at the cupcake walk

For our ward party the kids did trick or treating in the hallways of the building.  Families could sign up to decorate a classroom door and hand out candy.  One family brought a fog machine and it set off the smoke alarms-whoops!  Because it's such a big building, the fire department had to come and turn them off.  As we were walking out the firemen were just getting ready to leave and they let our little firefighter sit on the truck and gave him a fire truck card which he loves.  It was definitely the highlight of the night.

dragon and firefighter

not a fan of his costume

The boys were champs and stayed out trick or treating for about an hour.  Once their buckets got too heavy to carry we headed home!  I'm still trying to figure out our Halloween candy policy.  Right now I'm letting them have 2-3 pieces every day, but we seriously have so. much. candy (plus I'm pretty sure it's why Parker has been so cranky and ornery lately).  Do I just toss it?  Let them trade it in for toys?

Speaking of, did everyone see the hilarious Jimmy Kimmel video?  I wish I would have done this.

For the past six weeks, Parker has been in a soccer camp of sorts called Little Legends.  He had so much fun, and Sam and I had so much fun watching him.  I can't believe my little man is old enough to start playing sports.  When he was a newborn Sam and I would talk about these days, I just can't believe they're already here.

This was a game they played where they would dribble the ball around the field and then Coach George would call out a body part (in this case stomach) and they would have to stop and put that body part on the ball.

 

Parker's class with Coach George

Apple Picking

I've been telling Sam I've wanted to go apple picking since the year we got married.  Finally, after six years long years of waiting, we went on Saturday (just kidding, it was mostly laziness on my part).  It ended up being a really fun day, despite the chillier temps, and I'm glad we were able to enjoy a fun fall activity together.  Now to figure out what to do with a peck of apples...

We decided Lincoln doesn't like chilly weather

Parker in the hay maze

I'm so proud of Parker for riding the horse, I could tell he was a little nervous

sweet moment quickly turned into this!

Fall...sort of

We have had the most GORGEOUS week in Chicago.  Sunshine and 70s, I never want it to end! PS-I just saw on the news that we set a new record in Chicago for this time of year...8 days of sunshine in a row!  My friend Heather and I bought Groupons to a Fall "farm" and decided to take advantage of the warm weather and go last week.  The boys had a great time and it was fun to get out of Evanston for the day.

There were bouncy houses, 

and a big inflatable slide.

We watched the pig races.  These were our two MCs (Billy Bob and Cletus?)  After about 5 minutes of them carrying on Heather said to me "I think we're getting too much for our money".  Ha!

There was a giant corn box (like a sand box, but with corn kernels)

We took a ride on the cow train, 

and a hay ride. 

Fed the goats (which Parker declared his favorite part of the day).  I thought it was gross.

Lincoln got stuck trying to climb between the pumpkins

With a stop for sustenance (and toys) before heading home!