All Aboard!

Spencer was home for Thanksgiving. We gathered at Lucian's parents for a fabulous meal, but someone in the family definitely stole the show. Our nephew Henry William joined the world on Thanksgiving. I wrapped up the meal prep and some dessert as Lucian's mom and siblings rushed off to the hospital for his birth. Welcome Henry!

The following Saturday was the annual pizza party. It's a great opportunity to catch up with family and allow all the cousins to bond and hang out. There are a lot!

We drove Spencer back to school on Sunday. Kyle entertained himself at the book store while Spencer and Lucian shopped.

And after dropping Spencer off, we headed to the Polar Express! The train traveled to the North Pole where a few elves got on board as well as Santa. Both kids had a great time and Kyle loved riding the train. 

This is Kyle guarding his cookie from Lucian.

Santa!

San Francisco

Lucian and I took a trip to San Francisco. For multiple nights. Without kids. This is an epic accomplishment. We have not done a couples trip since before Claire was born. It required some great helpers and a little planning. We had a great time.

I throughly enjoyed my first visit to the city. Lucian has been before on multiple occasions, but it's long been on out list of places to go together. The weather was high 50°s/low 60°s with a little rain. (It snowed and was cold in WI)

We enjoyed some fabulous meals, did a ton of walking, and tried just about every form of public transportation the city has to offer.

On our last full day we planned a trip to Muir Woods to see the redwoods. After considering many options, we decided to rent a car that day and drive up Highway 1 as well. It really turned out to be the best day ever.

This was our stylish ride. We left the top down and ran the heat. Yes, we looked like tourists. No, we didn't care. 

The breathtaking views of the bridge were a great start.

I'm so glad Lucian likes to drive. The winding cliff-side roads were a little intimidating for me and no problem for him. The smell of the eucalyptus trees was amazing. Seriously. I'd like to take one home with me. We stopped at beaches and look outs and wherever our heart's desired.

 Our furthest stop was a working oyster farm, Hog Island Oyster, that felt like something out of a movie.

 Our feast 

The only problem with our plan was that we didn't make it to the redwoods until around 4:30. The park "closed" at 5:00. We got in for free, but it was already getting dark so we didn't have much time for hiking. The trees are amazing and I would love to go back and explore more.

We really enjoyed this trip. We're so grateful to our parents for helping with the littles while we got away.

What's New

Claire went on a field trip last week to the local fire department. Lucian was able to go along, so I even have a photo! The fire house is across the street from her school, so they walked there as a group. A moment after this photo, the team giving the tour had to rush out on a call. Luckily there were colleagues that could take over. 

We gathered at Lucian's parents on Friday for a quarterly birthday dinner. There are 5 in this group, including myself. The kids were happy to assist with the candles.

The rest of the weekend consisted of running errands and getting some cleaning done. It looks as though Kyle was helping in the photo, but he wouldn't let us actually turn on the vacuum. 

Claire assisted me in baking a pound cake. We had some at the party on Friday night and couldn't get enough.

Oh, and we got our first snow. I hadn't realized we would rake leaves one weekend and shovel snow the next, but that is how it happened. Winter is here my friends. The kids were happy and I didn't mind that much either. Everybody pitched in with the shoveling and it wasn't too cold. Yet.

Odds and Ends

Kyle went with Lucian to vote last week. His 'I Voted' sticker was a hot commodity at daycare when he arrived.

Both kids visited the dentist last week. Claire was a star patient. Kyle not so much.

And Kyle got a short haircut! I took him to my stylist. It's quite a bit shorter than we were thinking, but it will grow back. He looks much older now, and handsome, none the less.

Spencer came home for the weekend! The kids loved hanging with him, as did Lucian and I. 

We finally visited the Harley Davidson museum, which was fun. Luckily there were a few bikes you could touch and sit on at the end. It was tough keeping both of the littles off the display bikes.

And perhaps the best photo of all. Lucian's Movember mustache really steals the show here. Is it December yet?

Reading

Claire loves to "read" books. She plays school constantly with her dolls and animals, and reading is often a part of that roll play. While helping Lucian with some photography, she asked if she could take books outside. I love watching her read to the class. 

Go Bucks!

Lucian has done a great deal of photography work for the Milwaukee Bucks, our NBA team. They treated him with free seats to the home opener this past Friday. We took the kids and hoped for the best.

His photos were all over the arena and on the cover of the programs. So cool to see.

Kyle did alright. He at least stayed in our seating area the whole time, although the couple in front of us got bopped on the head and kicked in the back a few times.

Claire got really into the game. She is convinced that waving her white balloon during the opposing team's free throws distracted them and made the Bucks' win. I think we have a basketball fan on our hands.

She even bravely let Bango the Buck pick her up for a photo.

We fit in a trip to the children's museum Sat. It's a great place where the kids can run off some steam and touch everything. I even find it relaxing, unless I can't find one of them.

And Sunday included some serious leaf collection once again. I think we are nearing the end, however.