Thanksgiving, Forts, and Wishbones

Well Thanksgiving turned out with a nice full house, lots and lots of delicious food, games, and some seriously delicious pie.  Thanksgiving seemed to sneak up on us this year.  I realized about a week before it came that it was going to come with or without our knowledge.  We invited a couple to come over but assumed everyone else had already made their plans.  Lucky for us - there were a few others who it seemed to sneak up on too so we snagged them to come join us!  

We did it fairly simple style - but I was quite proud of my Happy Thanksgiving sign...that I mooched and printed off, but I think I did a pretty good cutting out job and stringing my sign together.  My dollar store leaves were a lovely touch too in my opinion. ;)

Our very own Canadian! ;)  Well - pretty much American, but she had to be teased nonetheless since Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October. :)  P.S. Her daughter Paige is ADORABLE.

I won't lie - I love having Thanksgiving at my place because that means some serious leftovers.  We did the turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes and everyone else brought their delicious sides that filled us all up completely.  We had the Jepsons, Moores, Jaggis (who I borrowed a few pictures from since I only took like 4!), and half the Steenblik clan over.  I was wondering if people were going to go crazy in our little place, but we borrowed a table from the church and everything seemed to work out great.  The kids ran rampant up and downstairs happily and seemed to get along for the most part - always a plus.  The funny part was that the kids were all boys running around too!  Ross joined the ranks after a little while of observing - mostly just running after the rest of the clan with whatever they were doing.  He did really well.
This was the first year I did a turkey by myself - I was a little paranoid of it being defrosted and cooked in time, but it worked like a charm thanks to oven bags - hallelujah!  I made a couple of apple pies and pumpkin pies the night before so that wasn't a worry, so it was really just stuffing and mashed potatoes I had to worry about.  
After we ate and loosened our belts a little (I was fairly satisfied with how I controlled myself) we played a few games - a fun version of charades and another fun game called "Hey Hey" that involves rolling dice and writing numbers to 100 before everyone else.  It got a bit intense, but our Candadian/American Kendra took the victory. :)  Afterwards we had some AMAZING pie made by the Moores that topped us all off.  We were enjoying ourselves, but kids' patience was starting to wear a little thin so we packed up and all went our ways to deal with our turkey comas and kids. :)  
When we looked to see what we had to deal with for aftermath - it was practically nothing!  My friend Rebecca pretty much washed all my pots and pans - I had to literally put in a few dishes in the dishwasher and we were done.  If clean up is like this after Thanksgiving - I will GLADLY host it every year!  

Ross wouldn't smile for the camera so we stuffed that cute little mouth full of ice cream. ;)  That'll get a smile!

So we think Ross is already getting girl crazy.  I was holding Paige and Ross was getting jealous so I was trying to keep him happy by leaning Paige into his face and telling him to give her a kiss. (Which of course consists of him putting his face on you just with an open mouth.)  He laughed when I did it, and then got a very serious look on his face and said "Again!"  So we did it again...and then he demanded "Again!"....he really liked kissing Paige!  Her dad started to have words with Steve about his son getting his hands off his daughter. ;)   Little bum... :)  I guess the dating talks will have to begin early!

We even had an indian visit. ;)  Julie and Carson enjoying some delicious pie.

Games - Nate was pretty good at charades - but the girls still won - woot woot!

We put famous/common names in for people to act out...I think the Hulk was in there about 5 times - and Mr. Bean was a bit hard. ;)

The Moores brought an apple berry pie, pumpkin pie, and a chocolate pudding pie - yum!  The Jepsons brought an amazing pumpkin roll too which I had never tried.  I definitely ate way too much pie, but very much enjoyed it. :)

Tim the expert pie maker.  Pie is a serious business as you can see!

Maybe going for seconds?

Jack enjoying a roll...the rolls were to die for and you can never have too many rolls at Thanksgiving. :)

Yummy pie!

Anyway - we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and were so glad to share the holiday with friends.  So much to be thankful for!

So Steve introduced Ross to forts last Sunday...Ross was enthralled.

And so was Steve. :)

Steve wanted to sleep in the fort, and Ross had other plans.  Though Ross learned how to imitate snoring which is hilarious and adorable.

In the end Ross really liked tearing down the forts.  Surprised?  The whole reason Ross EVER likes to build things or put them back in a bag or bucket is to be able to destroy it after.  ALWAYS the best part.

Saturday morning - keeping warm with the now cold mornings.

LOVE these faces!

Sometimes Ross has issues eating in his highchair and I just don't have the energy to fight it...Also - I'm 33 weeks along...and VERY pregnant.  Now we're getting to the stage where EVERYTHING else looks pregnant too - blah!

Please disregard the prego face and look at the cute one sitting on the counter. :)

Steve saved the wishbone from our turkey - he had high hopes for getting his wish this year.  I apparently won last time. :)

And my streak continues!  Woot woot!

Ross was the judge and confirmed I won.  Also - he looks ABSOLUTELY adorable in sweater vests.  I love getting him ready for church. :)

Steve trying to petition the judge to review the outcome...Ross won't budge. :)

  

A "Sprinkle"

So my good friends Kim and Mandy threw me a baby "sprinkle" for our little baby boo #2 coming.  Since I already have baby things from having a boy - I was just in need of a "sprinkle" of girlie things.  I absolutely LOVED the idea!  It was such a fun afternoon.  Instead of games we made baby hair accessories.  We chatted and crafted and ate the DELICIOUS refreshments for well over an hour.  The presents were so kind, cute, and thoughtful!  It was nice to have a girls' time out too - who wouldn't love a little wife/mommy break for an hour or so? :)  Here is the sprinkle report from Kim.  I borrowed her pictures for my blog too.
I just realized I haven't posted the name Steve and I feel most good about.  Funny - it's not any of the four names we were brainstorming before (and still love).  We decided on Ruby Meghan White.  I have always loved hearing Elder David B. Haight refer to his wife, Ruby, in his conference talks.  He never referred to her as Sis. Haight - it was always "Ruby and I...".  I love that it refers to a precious stone, and that she'll have two colors in her name. :)  Ruby White - Steve had to come around to that one.  Maybe it's because he's had the name "White" his whole life.  Anyway - we both feel good about it so we'll see if it fits when she makes her appearance. :)  
So - after the sprinkle I've decided that Ruby is going to be one stylin' chick!  Baby showers or sprinkles for that matter sure make you excited to have your little baby!  

Kim's cute decorations!

Love Kim and Mandy for sprinkling me!

The crafting and chatting

The delicious food!

My friend Kendra's baby modeling our crafting - TOTALLY adorable!

29th Birthday and Some More Puddles

Well 29 came.  I actually haven't stated my age until tonight actually when I was telling the sister missionaries at dinner how old I was.  I was quite happy when they both told me I looked much younger than 29.  I don't really care if they were lying or not - I'm going to choose that they weren't.  
I remember the age when I wanted people to stop telling me I looked older than I was.  It was 22.  I think that was because I had decided I was going to be married by the time I was 22...which ended up being a lie as I was actually 25 when I finally tracked Stephen down and dragged him to the altar before I got any older.  ;)  Anyway - yes - at 22 I wanted to be told I looked 22 - not younger, not older.  By the time I was 25 I started wanting to be told I looked younger - that was a sad realization.  Now I'm just hanging on to being in my 20's.  Enjoy it while I can!  At least I won't be pregnant for most of it - which brings me to my next point.  I just realized I'm two days shy of being 32 weeks along...I could be full term with this little baby in 5 weeks.  This pregnancy has flown by!  I'm not quite sure I'm ready for the sleeping/nursing/recovering upset yet when the baby comes.  So I'm going to grant that she can stay in there for a good long time at the moment.  

Anyway - for my birthday - poor Ross decided to give me the present of him getting the croup (again)...I'm not sure why he feels the need to get sick on holidays - Christmas was another doosey which had included not only the flu, but Ross's first time having croup.  He woke up not looking so good, and my kind dad stayed home with him while Steve and I went to Church.  I have to say it was SUPER weird being at church childless.  We had to keep poking each other to stay awake and enjoy the speakers since we didn't have a little toddler to be worried about.  After coming home and everyone (including grandpa) taking naps - except poor Steve who had to study for his massive test - we had a delicious breakfast for dinner, and I got to open presents.  I got the timeless BBC Pride and Prejudice movie, a Thomas S. Monson book, shirts, a porcelain cup from France from my grandma, and rainboots!  Steve gave me a digital piano which I have absolutely LOVED as well.  I haven't been able to play the piano in ages so it's nice to have my fingers tickle the keys again.  We had birthday cake (which I made Steve make from scratch - no box cakes for this 29 year old!) and had a nice evening with my dad.  What a day!  

Ready or not - here comes 29!

Ross is so happy for me.

Note the 2 candles and the 9 candles.  I refused to have 29 individual candles! :)

Ross was a great help in blowing out the candles. :)

So I've been TERRIBLE at taking prego pics - here I am at 31 weeks - and yes - there are quite a few weeks left to go!

Unfortunately for my dad, Ross had a doctor's appointment the next day and was pretty much quarantined for the next two days so we mostly stayed around here.  That's what happens with sick kids.  I don't think he was too bothered though since he got to be with his grandson anyway. :)  
We LOVED having my dad stay - it was a great week to be with him!

Ross now seeks out all puddles everywhere.  So if you're a puddle - beware!  Good thing the cold is good for the croup.

"All Done!" he says to me whenever I get the camera out.  Because I need to put it away so I can go play with him.

Observing Grampa's approach to puddles.

He's pretty okay at it. :)

Mom - seriously - "All Done!"

Saying "I love you" to grandpa before he goes.  We love you!

 

Grandpa Visits and the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum

My dad decided to come help celebrate my birthday - aka get some serious grandpa/grandson time in. :)  We were all excited for him to come!  We were out playing and as soon as Ross saw him at the playground and I asked him if that was grandpa - he immediately ran to him and has not let him out of his sight since.  They are literally two peas in a pod.  We had some lunch together and then both boys went down for naps.  Grandpas need their rest too sometimes.  Grandpa took a better nap than Ross did though - little stinker.  

It's been really fun having my dad around.  Ross has to make sure he knows where "Papa" is all the time, and if he's not right there, Ross is constantly asking me where he went.  My dad has also been wining and dining us...we went to Out Aza Blue which is a little market/bakery/cafe off of the highway towards Tillamook that we've heard about.  We had burgers which were to DIE for on their made-from-scratch ciabatta bread.  My side salad was legit too - none of this iceberg lettuce junk you usually get.  I think I actually got something nutritious from it!  We will definitely be going back there.  My dad also treated us for my birthday dinner date with Steve to Cheesecake Factory AND babysat Ross for us too...Dad - would you mind moving in? ;)  

Yesterday we hit up the Children's Museum which Ross once again enjoyed even though it was completely overrun with kids and then today we went to explore the Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum in McMinnville.  So I've decided our library is amazing because you can check out passes to go to both the Children's Museum as well as the Aviation Museum.  That's A LOT of money we saved.  Hooray for libraries and their cool resources!  

So I forgot my camera...and my phone takes TERRIBLE pictures - but we've got some diggers here once again - Ross's favorite place.

We LOVED the Aviation Museum.  The Spruce Goose was the big attraction...it is GINORMOUS, and a total waste of the 25 million dollars spent on building it with only having taken one sort of test flight that lasted about a minute traveling a mile 70 feet up in the air.  Still - it was super cool to look at.  All the planes were fascinating.  There was so much to see.  I was amazed at some of the stories they had tagged to the different planes, from enemy planes guiding an extremely damaged one of ours to safe territory to a pilot nicknamed "Cannibal Ken" who couldn't shoot down a fighter plane due to all their guns freezing up in the high altitude so he used his propeller to shred the rudder instead.  

We loved the planes that were EVERYWHERE including outside.

There's no way I could get the Spruce Goose all in the picture.

Fam Pic!

Two peas in a pod. :)

Ross pretty much refused to ever look a the camera.  There were so many other cool things to look at.

Yellow planes are pretty cool. ;)

Ross loved it all.  He ran from plane to plane yelling "Plane! Plane! Plane!" like we were missing the fact that they were all there.  He did really well and pretty much stayed out of the stroller until the very end when we forced him in since he was getting pretty cranky after missing his nap.  That and he's got a bit of a cold.  Strollers are becoming less of an option with him...oh dear.  We all came back pooped, but of course Ross was in no mood for a nap anyway - so gramps took one for him and Steve slaved away at studying again (after I convinced him he should go with us to the museum giving him less time to study).  

Their kid zone was super fun...yes - we as adults found it WAY fun.  These little plane riders were an instant fav of Ross's.

Checking out down below - and yes I know he needs a haircut.

His own plane!

Steve trying to steer a helicopter.

A better view of it all.

Getting stuck between guns...not a good place to be.

Ross was a little too scared to ride this cute little ride - he was happy to check out all the lights though.

"Yep - just me and gramps."

Oh what a cute couple we are!  Even with my chin cut off.  LOVE Steve's brown eyes. :)

Some tanks out back.

And Ross is "All Done" in his own words. :)

Tomorrow is my birthday...29.  Seriously.  How am I allowed to get this old?  My heart tells me I'm 17 (unless I actually see a 17 year old...then I know it's not possible because I SO didn't act like that when I was 17...at least I tell myself that).  I feel like once 30 (which is almost like a swear word to me) hits I can't have any more excuses to be immature.  It's like I have to become a real genuine adult then.  Yes, I'm going to be the mother of 2 children.  Yes, we live in our own place and pay bills like grown-ups do.  But Steve and I still play Super Mario Brothers sometimes...or binge on it at times...we stay up too late watching TV series on Netflix - like Psych - which is our new favorite.  We no longer have agency when double stuffed oreos are placed in front of us...the entire package will be gone within the hour.  I wish for sleeping in all the time...sometimes I stay in pajamas WAY too long, and yes - I like the boxed Macaroni and Cheese still even though I should eat the carrots and sugar snap peas I specifically bought to be healthier.  I wear a retainer to bed - tell me that's not a 17 year old!  I still have a baby blanket I adore, and I definitely still love the young adult genre best out of all my book choices.  I should not be allowed to turn 29.  I mean - it's the age people lie that they are when they're well over 29.  I shouldn't be at this point right now!  Okay - I've pled my case.  If you wouldn't mind being a witness in this case I would be quite grateful.  And if 29 comes anyway - PLEASE stop 30 from EVER presenting itself!  Steve laughs at me with my 29 worries...I think it's a man thing though - it seems age isn't as big of a deal.  Which is good since he is 2 1/2 years YOUNGER than me.  Double reason for him not to understand - he's just a baby - still enjoying his mid twenties...oh the days.  Anyway.  There's my spiel - I've let it out. I've got until 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon to figure something out.  After that - there's no hope.  So we'll see what tomorrow brings.