From welcoming a new member into our family to Eddie's birthday (and mine), to a playdate with good friends and our first Thanksgiving in our new home... November was a pretty awesome month!
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| Meet Jake! |
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This precious bundle joined our family on November 6 at an approximate age of 12 weeks old
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| The kids were taken by complete surprise! We had long-discussed getting another pet, but they were completely unaware of the "plan" for Shaun to pick out a kitten from the shelter on the way home from work |
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| This girl was the most excited of all. Since Gizmo has a particularly close bond with Avalon--so much so that we call him "her" cat--Ellie also wanted a pet she could call her own. She wanted a gray kitten... so that's exactly what Dad brought home. |
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Of course, Jake belongs to us all, and it didn't take long for all the kids to fall in love with this little guy
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| Eddie is thrilled to finally have a pet that is easy to pick up! (Gizmo is nearly half his size and, at 15 years old, not a fan of being held) |
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| Speaking of Gizmo, he adjusted to his new housemate quite slowly, but steadily. I call Jake his "grandson", and he tolerates/loves him like only a cantankerous grandfather set in his ways possibly could. |
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| Jake spent much of his first weeks in our house watching Gizmo's every move while being cooly ignored in return. |
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| Ready for his closeup! |
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| Along with plenty of extra attention, Gizmo is reaping other rewards of having a new housemate... like this cool new kitty water fountain |
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| ...and this new kitty condo! (Actually, he could care less about this thing; I just set him up there briefly to take this pic.) |
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| Just a couple more pics, I promise :) |
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| I love it when Jake chooses my lap for a nap |
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| Look at those sweet little boys <3 |
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Reading to Gizmo
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| Avi and I decorated the kitchen in a space theme for Eddie's 6th birthday on November 8 |
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| For the second (maybe third?) year in a row, he requested Donettes for breakfast :) |
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| He also requested a party with his grandparents, Uncle and Gretta and that's exactly what he got! |
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| Party animals! |
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| Introducing Uncle Jesse to Jake |
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| The birthday boy chilling with his grandpas! |
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| Digging into Eddie's birthday "linner" feast. We served tri-tip along with the birthday boy's request of mashed potatoes and gravy :) |
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| We considered this an early Thanksgiving celebration, as well, since we knew we wouldn't be together for the actual holiday |
Of course, the highlight of a kid's birthday is always the PRESENTS! As usual, Eddie was spoiled rotten by his grandparents and uncle.
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| Digging in... |
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| I think Jake enjoyed the present-opening process almost as much as Eddie |
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| An official Red Ryder carbine action 200-short range model air rifle! Ralphie would have loved to receive one of these at the ripe 'ol age of six! |
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Is it any wonder who got him this gift? :D Now that we live in the burbs, I think we'll have to take a trip to Uncle Jesse's house for him to learn how to use it.
 | Posing with his space cake, make by (who else?) big sis Avalon!
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| Eddie was really hamming it up for these pics... I can't decide which shot is cuter! |
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| He couldn't stop giggling! |
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| Ellie lit the birthday candle |
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| ...and then Avalon took charge of serving up slices of cake. |
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| Later on, after the party guests departed, Eddie enjoyed another special birthday request... a bowl of Ramen noodles, which he currently claims is his favorite food. Go figure!! :-P |
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| And then for his final birthday request... roasting marshmallows for s'mores! |
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| Ellie soaking up some sun while taking the jeep for a spin in the cul-de-sac |
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| I love this pic of Avalon teaching little bro how to ride her old skateboard |
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| Avi is a true "helper" by nature... here she is helping Uncle Jesse to mix the mud before he and Shaun tiled our master bath shower (pics to come) |
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| One of the month's many highlights was having some friends over for their first playdate at our new house! |
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| The playdate turned into a game night, beginning with Twister! |
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| Four brainy girls taking turns playing chess! I love it! |
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| Meanwhile, the boys worked on their surgical skills. |
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| I awoke [quite late :D] to this pile of cards and gifts on my birthday, November 21st |
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| I love this timely card from my sweet Avalon. Such a good reminder in these strange times... |
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| Enjoying birthday donuts with my kiddos |
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| Later on, Avalon accompanied me (on her bike) for a birthday jog through Elk Grove Park |
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I miss watching the seasons change in Clarksburg, but this is pretty awesome, too. :)
 | Avi worked on a friendship bracelet while I stretched after my run
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 | | Meanwhile, back at home, Shaun hung Christmas lights for the first time in 10 years! (Pics of the house all lit up to come in next month's photo roundup) |
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Dinner time... our first time ordering Chinese for delivery since moving to town! I'm still not over the coolness of being able to do that after so many years out in the country!
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Other than Chinese for dinner, my main birthday request was to watch White Christmas and decorate our Christmas tree. :)
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| Of course Ellie wanted to place an ornament at the very top |
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| Won't be long before she doesn't need a boost any more. My babies are sure growing up... :*( |
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| Avalon baked my favorite cake for my birthday! And because I am the only one in the house who likes the classic coconut pecan frosting of a German chocolate cake... I had PLENTY to enjoy. :D |
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| Eddie made me a cake, too ;) |
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| Thanksgiving Eve dinner, which they eat while watching "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" |
I guess it's no wonder that the kids look forward to this every year! (Shaun and I had burritos instead)
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| The next day, Shaun cooked a heck of a turkey for our first Thanksgiving in our new house |
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| Our Thanksgiving spread |
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| Ready to feast! It was just us and Nana this year (Papa and Uncle were en route home from a hunting trip in South Dakota). |
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| Happy Thanksgiving 2020! |
