NOVEMBER

 MOM AND DAD VICK VISIT
My parents were able to come for a visit in November.  It was so much fun having them here.  As soon as we got to the airport, we had a sign welcoming them and the boys were so excited to see them!  Cooper even got a ride on grandaddy's suitcase.

We went to Mt. Fuji for dinner, a Japanese Hibachi restaurant which is always fun to watch them cook in front of us.  We were even treated with a magician at the end.  Very random and a bit weird.

My dad took the boys on walks nearly everyday and they'd go to the park across the street.  The boys loved it.  We went to the park one night and took the boys on the bikes.

At the park

With my gorgeous mama

 My parents - funny faces

Jake on the swing with grandaddy

 I can't tell you how many times Cooper made my mom play this with him

 Before I knew my parents were coming, we'd already bought tickets with Clint and Kara to see Idina Menzel with the Colorado Symphony.  They said they'd watch the kids while we went on our date.  It was A.MAZ.ING!.  Best show ever, Wes and I had great seats, 5 rows back in the front center.  She was so laid back and has an amazing voice and the symphony was wonderful as well.  I love anything involving music!  For those who don't know, Idina Menzel was Elphaba in the musical Wicked on Broadway.  I had actually gotten to see her in it when I was in New York a few years ago.  So it was a treat to see her again, I loved her!

Because I couldn't use my flash, it was hard to get a good picture of her but we had great seats and could see her so well!  She was fun and hilarious!

 NOVEMBER STUFF
Jake is part of a play group where we drop off our 3 year olds to one person's house and they watch the kids and we all take turns hosting.  The week it was at my house was right after the first snow fall so we were inside the whole time.  Here's a few of the kids dancing to Little People Dance Music. 

 The first snowfall

 My Cooper watching a movie in the play room

 Does anyone else have a child that is deathly afraid of soap getting in their eyes in the bathtub?  That's our Jacob for sure.  I've never gotten soap in his eyes yet he is still so afraid, and we have had many battles in the tub trying to convince him it's okay.  I even bought that special cup thing that molds around their forehead and water just goes down the side of his face.  Nothing has worked.  Even him lying down in the tub scares him...BUT we've found a solution, see below!  We are happy now! 

 

My sweet boys, watching the garbage truck pass by, Jake feeding his brother, costumes and cuteness

 Date night again.  We got tickets to see the Denver Pro Soccer Team play in the Championships.  We were in the front row behind the goalie.  It was super cold.  I had on 4 pairs of socks, thermals, sweater, 2 jackets, a beanie and hood and my down jacket as well as a blanket for my legs.  I was almost completely warm but I still got chilly... I know, I'm pretty pathetic that way.  I don't like it too hot or too cold (no wonder the bay area weather suited me so well).  I think my body prefers it 72 degrees year round.  Anything hotter or colder and I get cranky...  Anyway, it was a fun night and our team won!

 Family pictures

 Fall centerpiece

 

THANKSGIVING VISITORS - VICK FAMILY

 We were so excited when my brother, Shad told us they would be coming for Thanksgiving.  We had a blast with them here!  Jake loved having his cousins here to play and sleep over.  Here's Gabriella, Jake and Bethany with their sleepovers.  The 3 of them played so well together all week.  Cooper jumped in with them here and there.  

 THANKSGIVING DAY
This was the first time we have hosted Thanksgiving and we were so excited for it!  
 It started out with football.  Shad and Wesley went across the street to play football with some other guys at church.  We went over towards the end to watch and play at the park.  
For dinner, many cooking shows were watched beforehand so I could find good tips and ideas.  Wes was in charge of turkey.  It was amazing!  It tasted so moist and yummy!  He brined it the night before and that made all the difference.  We didn't have to add any seasoning to the gravy.  My sister-in-law Jen and I did most of everything else.  Side note:  I tried the green bean casserole recipe of Paula Dean and it was so good!  We'll try it again sometime.  My sister Lea gave me the idea to use just brown paper so the kids could color on.  That was a great idea!  I used brown wrapping paper and put crayons on the table.  She also gave me the idea to put questions into the bread rolls and then when you bit into your roll, you'd pull out the paper with the question and answer it.  Questions about being thankful.  It was a wonderful Thanksgiving.  
The Table

 

 The gang

 We went to the Nature and Science Museum one of the days.  It is such a fun place!  I hadn't ever been to the top of the building, but it has a gorgeous view so we had to take a picture!

 Exhibits

 Gabriella and Jake are just 6 months apart and are so cute together!  They were quite the pair all week.  So cute!

 Here's Dallen holding Lucas, Malia on our ball, and Bethany doing some Sudoku!  I, for some reason, didn't get a solo picture of Spencer, the oldest but he is in the group pictures. 

 Lucas, tell me he doesn't have the sweetest smile!  
Chilling in their strollers (Cooper and Lucas)