Quick post Thanksgiving trip to Holland to visit Oma and Opa

Mom, Henry and Lucas traveled to Michigan to visit Oma and Opa following Thanksgiving in early December. Henry was thrilled to go on an airplane, see a fire truck and even help the firefighter drain the fire hydrant outside of Oma and Opa's house. We went to the St. Nicholas Day parade in downtown Holland and baked Christmas cookies. Lucas soaked in all of the new experiences, and especially loved Opa's drum set. 

1st haircut for Lucas

Grandma joined us in experiencing Lucas' first haircut. Lucas was not very happy about the idea of being belted onto a chair and wasn't easily soothed by his mom, grandma or the television. Luckily, his big brother Henry saved the day by distracting him with bubbles and his usual silliness. 

Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa

We celebrated Thanksgiving and mom's 36th birthday with Grandma and Grandpa at our home in Minnesota. Mom had to work over the holiday (and unfortunately, the entire stretch of their visit and on her birthday), but was spoiled (per usual) with delicious meals and birthday cupcakes made by Henry and Grandma. Grandma and Henry also finished our advent calendar craft project just in time to hang the first ornament on December 1st. 

Happy Halloween!

We actually got Henry to put on a costume and go trick or treating for the first time in 2 years (after discussing it for 2 hours and watching trick or treaters come and go at our house)! He insisted on giving our neighbors a piece of his candy in exchange for a piece from them, and then came home and made a candy shrine on one of his large trucks. He hasn't suggested eating any of the candy because,"I don't like that!" It's okay, mom and dad will eat the candy!

Henry's first movie

Thank you public television for treating Henry to his first movie on the big screen... Curious George!

And Lucas has been increasingly on the move and mimicking words, like "hi!" and "thank you!" 

Fall days

Oma traveled by bus to visit and help us celebrate Lucas' 1st birthday. Henry was thrilled to be able to go along to pick her up and see the "double decker bus" that she rode on. We had a fun birthday party with friends at our house. Lucas followed in his brother's footsteps acting as though we were crazy to think he would touch any cake, much less his very own smash cake. And there was far too much cake left over after the party for even mom to finish.