A Wonderful Thanksgiving Week

This past week Mike, Evie and Daniel were in town (Andy's parents and younger brother). We've been talking to Caleb for over a week before their visit asking him if he was excited to see Grandpa Mike and Grandma Evie. Mike is already a word in Caleb's vocabulary indicating both microwave and microscope (thanks to a picture book). (Actually, I'm sure there are slight intonation differences and it's not just "Mike," but it's close enough for Mike to be an easy word to say.) So Caleb started saying Mike before they even got here. Then on Monday I kept telling him Grandma Evie, Grandpa Mike and Uncle Daniel were coming. They got here during his after nap snack so he was rested and fed and SUPER happy to see them. He hopped on his little scooter car and showed them the toys in his room. I really wish I would've taken videos (or even pictures!) that day, but alas, I was very bad with the camera all week. However, if you can imagine Caleb playing so happily with all of them and showing them his toys, you may be able to picture it. Andy had lots of work to do so Monday night we all had dinner at our house and crowded into our already cramped dining area on our wobbly chairs and ate chicken pot pie and quiche. Daniel even tried the quiche and liked it until he knew it had spinach then it was a mental block and he just stirred it around on his plate.

We had a great week although we really didn't do anything that exciting. Tuesday morning Evie and I went shopping and looked for toys at Toys R Us--Caleb's first experience in the store. He was pretty good. We also ran a couple other errands and Caleb was pretty tired and hungry by the time we were done. We all went home to rest up. Caleb actually woke up but I was so tired I laid down on my bed and he was playing and I woke up! Luckily nothing happened while I was asleep. Tuesday night we headed over to Nampa and ate out at a Mexican resturaunt. Most all Mexican resturant food makes me sick but I was really hungry so I decided to give it a try and ordered one tamale (usually I order a plain quesedilla or a side of something that's not heavy) and then I ate a ton of chips with bean dip. I think it was probably the chips and dip that did me in. I woke up at 3:00 am with indegestion and couldn't sleep the rest of the night. Luckily it went away and all was well, but I need to remember no Mexican for me! Andy's Grandma thinks I'm unamerican and all of Andy's family loves Mexican food so it's really pretty ironic. The tamale was good though. I should learn to make tamales. I can eat Mexican food made at home--just not out to eat.

Wednesday we were going to head over to Nampa and help out but didn't get there till sometime in the afternoon. I'm not sure what we did in the morning...

Janell doesn't get to see many movies so she told Daniel that while he was here they were going to see movies. I think they saw three. On Friday they took Grandma (and Mike) to see Australia and Grandma loved it. I'm glad they could get out and do something fun and memorable. They also watched Caleb that night so Andy and I could see the movie as well. Caleb was a good kid for them and we enjoyed the movie.

Thursday was a great sucess, despite all of Janell's worrying. We at over in Nampa (obviously not enough room in our apt). Evie and I got there in the late morning and Andy and Mike went on a bike ride. Both of them have this habit (Andy has ever so many of his Dad's mannerisms) of stopping be it hiking, walking, biking, etc., to tell you whatever it is they want to say. When Andy and I are hiking together I always want to keep walking and he wonders if I'm listening to him and I think, "Can't he walk and talk at the same time?" Anyway, Andy and Mike had a great bike ride and some wonderful conversations which made it so they didn't get back until after 4:00. We had planned to be sitting down eating then and Evie was worried they were stranded with broken legs on the mountainside (no cell phone reception). However, it all worked out and they arrived with a great appitite and we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner. Oh, and while we were waiting we broke out Cosco's chocolate cream pie that was to die for. Caleb had some of everyone's and didn't eat any Thanksgiving dinner... Andy just couldn't say enough about how good everything was and how much he enjoyed Thanksgiving this year. I think it helped to be around his family, go on a bike ride with his dad, talk law with his dad, and get some work in over the week as well.

On Friday while the rest of the clan went to the movie Andy, Evie and I went on a hike up by Bogus Basin. It was really pretty.

That's about all I can think of. We didn't get the basement organized or anything done for Janell and Grandma, but we all had a fun time. Sorry I was so bad about pictures...