Thanksgiving Trip to Michigan

On Thanksgiving Day, all three of us flew to Michigan to visit family and check up on Grandma Six who had back surgery. I have to recommend traveling on the actual morning of Thanksgiving is the way to go with children. There was no one in any of the airports, including Chicago O'Hara. William was fascinated with the 'extra big escalators'.

The highlight of any trip to Michigan for William is hanging out with his awesome 'big' cousins. William is all smiles with them around.

Daddy and William enjoying a Vitale's Pizza (Mommy on the other hand doesn't understand what the excitement is for this greasy disgusting pizza is all about).

William giving Grandpa Scratchy his annual nutcracker for his collection. This was the first year that William was fascinated by the nutcrackers (he preferred using his finger instead of a nut, though).

William thought he was as cool as Grandma Six was with his antlers on.

Aunt Kate and Mommy took William to the mall to sit on Santa's lap with little expectation that he would get within 10 feet of Santa. However, wonders never cease. William was initaily shy then he marched over and sat on Santa's lap and asked him about how his reindeers were doing (Daddy had prompted him to do this before we left for the mall). If you are wondering how the reindeers were...They are great.

William loves his Aunt CAKE!!!!

Grandma Six decided to make a store bought gingerbread house with William and Mark.... It is amazing that there was any candy put on the house as most of it went into the boys' tummies.

This is what playing with family does to a little one.... wipes him out!!!!!

Fall Full of Fun

Fall is my Favorite Time of the Year. Even without the Beautiful Colorful Trees of North Carolina, Fall in Colorado is Beautiful (even if the only color out here is Yellow). Here are some of the highlights of the Season.

Visiting a Pumpkin Farm at the End of September means Mommy wasn't willing to buy one this early.

Attempted to go apple picking but we were too late. However, the raspberries were in full bloom and William picked and ate his fair share.

Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off in Old Colorado City. William loved watching the fork lifts move the Pumpkins.

Enjoying the Scarecrow Festival in Old Colorado Festival.

William and his best friend at preschool inspecting each other's costumes at the Primrose Halloween Parade.

Pumpkin Carving with "Mr Potato Head" Inserts.

Pirate Pumpkin made by William and Daddy.

Getting Ready for Trick or Treating.

William's Fire Truck Party

William's 3rd Birthday Party was a Day at the Fire Station with Friend's and Family. The Fire Fighters at Station #15 were fabulous and educated both the kids and the adults. The Highlights of the Tour were watching Aunt "G" getting dressed up as a Fire Fighter and getting to climb into the Fire Truck.

William's Actual Birthday Day

William's birthday was a day that was spent with just Mommy and doing only what William wanted to do. The day started out with the traditional waking up picture from the bed.

William showing me how old he is.

"Mommy you are so SILLY"

A day at the Zoo. William explored the playground. He loved the ant hills.

The snake tubes to crawl through.

Feeding the Giraffe.

Lunch at Yakatori..... It was actually William's choice.

After nap, it was off to Dairy Queen for Birthday Ice Cream. William was very into his ice cream sundae.

Opening a gift from Mommy and Daddy.

Loving his Fire Truck Book!!!! (Does anyone see a theme with his 3rd Birthday)

William is Potty Trained!!!!

I had been dreading Potty Training since William had turned 2. Everyone told me to just not force it. So I let him take control. After 2 weeks of allowing him the opportunities at home, William got the hang of it (But to be perfectly honest I did have to torture the child with prune juice but it always works with my patients). So his reward was a trip up to Denver to the Lego Outlet Store to pick out a new Lego set. There were so many choices but after careful deliberation (and if you know my son you know how careful he deliberates all of his choices) William decided on a Construction Set. Once again no surprise!!!

A Day with Thomas the Train

We decided to surprise William by taking him up to Denver to spend a "Day with Thomas" at the Colorado Railroad Museum. We didn't tell him where we were going until we got there. When we told him that he was going to meet Thomas, his entire face lit up in disbelief. In addition to meet Thomas, we walked around the amazing Railroad Museum and also got to climb on a real Fire Truck. We all had such a great day and hope to make it back up there to explore the Museum with a few less screaming children.

Daddy and William loved exploring the train engines.

A Family Photo Opportunity as we waited for our ride around the tracks with Thomas as the engine.

William the Conductor!!!

Meeting a REAL Train Conductor

The classic pose with Thomas the Train. William loved to sit there and wave at him each time Thomas came by.

William got to meet Sir Top Ham Hat. At first he wasn't sure about him but then he became obsessed with his misshapen hands. He asked why he didn't have "separate fingers" for the entire car ride home.

A Labor Day Tradition....Hot Air Baloons over the Rockies

Arriving at 6:00 AM (yes I did say AM) to watch the Hot Air Balloons inflate and take off. Last year we came to this event but it was too windy so the balloons did not take off. This year they were able to take off and the only word to describe it was MAGICAL!!!!

One of the exciting moments of the morning was when William spotted Santa Claus helping with one of the balloons. He was very fascinated by him but had no desire to go up and meet him. Christmas pictures this year will be interesting!!!

The entire morning is so amazing. William didn't even know which way to look (except he did know that he didn't want to look at the camera, which is not unusual)

Round and Round we go watching the Balloons take off into the sky/