Let it snow!

Bloomington got several inches of snow in early December. North and Quorra loved getting to sled each and every day with their classes. 

Thanksgiving round 2

We celebrated with Nana, Grandad, Connor, Madi, Clay, Uncle Adam, and Aunt Angie the weekend after Thanksgiving.  The kiddos had fun playing with their cousins. 

Gobble gobble

This Thanksgiving we celebrated with grandma, grandpa, Kim, Mike, Nick, and Olivia. We had yummy food, fun times, silly dinner utensils, gingerbread houses, and flashlight hide and seek. And Quorra had her own private dance party.

 

 

Gobble gobble. 

The lighting of the courthouse

Today Bloomington held its annual celebration welcoming the holidays and Santa with hot cocoa, spiced cider, roasted chestnuts, carolers, the lighting of the courthouse, and an appearance by St. Nick himself. Wintery fun times.

Before

After

And the winter fun continued at home. :)

The last of the leaves

Today we finally decided to clear the fallen leaves from our lawn. Before they all made their way to the compost piles in the woods (many of which are now overflowing!- see below) North and Quorra got in 1 last jump. 

Snugly Saturdays

Each Saturday night it seems both kids end up snuggling into our bed for some sleep. I rarely think to snap any photos but did today. 

Push pop

North spent most of the week at grandma and grandpa's (who babysat while he was sick). He got home tonight and we celebrated with dinner and push pops. 

Saturday

Today has been a particularly fun Saturday for North. He had a basketball game with his friends Jack and Nathan, Nana and Grandad showed up, then everyone (including Harrison) came over to play at our house. As soon as everyone went home he dressed up as a ninja. 

Cicada Summer

North has been thoroughly obsessed with finding and collecting cicada exoskeletons this summer.  And he's become freakishly good at it.  One day at preschool he and his classmates spent some time on the playground climbing around on a giant oak tree they call "mother tree".  That day alone North found about 35 cicada exoskeletons on "mother tree".  Here he is with the haul:

That night he said Lina (a classmate) was sad she hadn't found any and he wanted to find some to give her.  We spent a few minutes wandering around in our backyard woods and he found 5 for her.  He put them in a baggie and left them in her cubby for her.  So sweet.  And he's got the eyes of a hawk.  At least when it comes to bug exoskeletons.

Queen City Classic (Temporary) Tattoos

Over Labor day we had a great time getting to hang out with some very best friends and getting some swimming time in.  While hanging out, the kids even got some temporary tattoos from Jeremy and Carrie's amazing new tattoo shop Queen City Classic Tattoos!  Here they are showing them off

 North

 Lincoln

 Mila

Quorra

Old Settlers Festival

Each year, Bowling Green Indiana hosts "Old Settlers Festival".  We've been lucky enough to attend a few years. 

This year North and Quorra enjoyed meeting up with Nana and Grandad, eating fried fish and funnel cake, and listening to some music while playing on the playground. 

Here's North on the jungle gym:

 Also, here's just a silly recent picture of North and Quorra at Sam's club.  While we lived in Virginia, we developed an aversion to discount bulk item stores because they were always so stressful and crowded.  Then we moved back to Indiana and hadn't bothered to revisit them--until a week or so ago when we found ourselves at Sam's club and had a strangely wonderful experience.

Fall Soccer

North is playing soccer again this fall through the YMCA.  He's on team Italy and couldn't be more excited about it.  He loves his coach, the games they play, and getting to run around on the soccer fields.  He's MOST excited though about the fact that several of his bestest pre-school friends are on the team with him (even a couple who had moved on to kindergarten this year).  (And we parents are excited because we get to hang out during practice!)  Here he is with his great buddies Nathan and Harrison.