Thanksgiving Weekend

I can never seem to get these images in the order I want, you'd think I'd learn but I don't. Anyway, I'll take you through our weekend backwards. We ended it with making advent wreths for, as you may have guessed the beginning of advent. Even Sophia did one with minimal help. Friday we got our tree and the kids did an excellant job decorating it. And Thanksgiving day while Alex watched the parade, Sophia, Max and I made ginger bread and began to make our ginger bread house and nativity pieces, before we went to Dale's sister's for Thanksgiving dinner and hanging out. It was an eventful weekend and we wanted to let you know we are so thankful for our wonderful family and friends - hope you had a great Thanksgiving. (And for all you non-Steffen's Sara (Randy's little sister) had her baby the 28!! A little boy Oliver Patrick, he's adorable and healthy and Sara is doing well, I think Eric is too.) Happy Late Thanksgiving!

The pictures of our fall vacation to the midwest

We had a great fall vacation, I guess I put these pictures in backwards - opps! It started with my cousin's wedding in Indiana, that was so beautiful and fun. Alex and Randy went back to NY while Max, Sophie and I went back to IA. We stayed with my Dad and his wife, visited a lot of people and relaxed. I was able to see a good friend of mine, Cathy (from the children's theatre in jr. high and high school)get married. And then Cletus and Margaret brought us home. We were fortunate to have them stay for a couple days with us. We're looking forward to coming back for Christmas.

Celebrating Sophia's and Aunt Wanda's birthday. Sophia wouldn't let me get a picture of her on Aunt Wanda's lap or alone with the cake, so artfuly done by Aunt Donna.

Off to Iowa where we visited lots of our relatives. Here we are with Aunt Audrey, Max and Sophia and Madison. (We saw lots of family , but I didn't get as many pictures as I thought).

Randy and the boys at the reception. Oh, I forgot to mention the reception of the wedding our little ringbearer(Max) walked down the asile and laid down on the pillow on the first step of the altar and then proceeded to army crawl to my cousin (the bride's maid he was asigned to stand by). Ah, they keep things interesting don't they? The bride delt with it beautifully, and just laughed.

My cousins, Sara, Emily and me at the reception.

A few pic of our trip back to the midwest

The four kids right before my cousin's wedding in Indiana.

Sophia's Birthday

Hi! We have had fun visiting family in Indiana and Iowa (Oct.31-Nov.10), having Margaret and Cletus (Randy's mom & dad) visit here (Nov.11-13), as well as Bruce and Russ (Kara's uncle and partner) immediately following, and I'll have pictures of that in the days to come. But today is Sophia's birthday! And she's 2!! She had a fun day.She visited her friend Paul. Went out to eat with Aunt Kathy, Uncle Dale, Sammi, and our crew. Had a Dora cake. And was squealing, waving her arms with excitment and giggeling as she opened her gifts. And ended the day in her new big girl bed with Dora sheets, snuggeling her Dora.