Thanksgiving Week

We had an exciting and busy week over the holiday. We celebrated with Brian's friends the night before Thanksgiving, then had family over Thursday for dinner. It was my first turkey (and I totally should have photographed it), and with the help of Grandma Freeto, it was a success! We went to Yountville Friday for the Festival of lights, and then to San Francisco Saturday for a night in the city and a stay at the Fairmont. We are all very thankful for a healthy, happy family, good friends and the many other blessings we are enjoying this holiday season.

Here are a few random pictures from our adventures this week.

What the cup holders on the jogging stroller are really meant for...


Freetos at the Festival of Lights


Getting ready for presents by the Fairmount tree


The look (and sounds) of true happiness! (Not to mention chubbiness!!)


Ben over SF on a sunny, fogless, 70 degree day in late November!

Fun around the house

Benjamin looked pretty cute (and hilarious) in his rockin' Adidas sweatsuit from Uncle Mike - quite a stud and also trying to impress Auntie Jill and Uncle Adam while they visited (and listened to lots of "OOOH"s and "Ga Ga Goot"s.)

Cheezin' for the family


Ans then I'll push this button


Phones are fun - especially when I dial 911 and hang up and the Napa Police Department calls Mommy and she feels like Mother of the Year!


I got through - this must not be AT&T cellular!


What - I didn't do anything, like drink bath water, or splash Daddy, or try to climb out of the tub...

Over the river, through the woods, and 4 hours on a plane

Benjamin & Mommy went to Michigan to visit the paparazzi, also known as Grandma and Grandpa Perry. We had a great time and Ben was quite a trooper on the long 4 hour flights, flanked by a 2 hour drive to/from the airport in Chicago to Kalamazoo. The weather was nice for Michigan in November, and we were able to enjoy both some sunshine outside and warm fires in the house. We had a shower for Auntie Marisa, and a good time was had by all.


Sunshine and bubbles in the backyard (and some facial injuries from various mishaps and misadventures)


Almost 15 months old and starting to get an attitude (despite Mommy's cool old toy)

Pretty colors in a bright tunnel and a cute boy


Funny faces with Grandma


No more pictures please...it's legal to talk on the cellie and drive in Michigan anyway.


George made the trip to enjoy relaxing on the couch of sleepiness


Let me IN to get those presents!!!

Cornerstone

Benjamin and some of his friends visited a place near Sonoma called Cornerstone, where they got to run around in the grass, check out a cool tunnel and reflecting pool, and eat a lot of gravel (Ben, mostly, as the other kids were older and perhaps a little wiser). There were different garden areas for them to explore, and one particularly cool area with many flower "windmills" that Ben enjoyed a lot. What a beautiful fall/late Indian summer day this was!

We didn't even get too far from the parking lot before Ben started digging in the dirt!


These look like fun!!


Maybe I'll grab this one?


Cute boy!


Contemplating his next move...


Benjamin watching planes fly overhead

Halloween

Ben and the family had a great Halloween. Ben was a monkey (though a couple of times confused for a mouse or a bear) and was a good sport about it all. We had friends over for Trick-or-Treating and a good time was had by all. Benjamin even had a monkey friend to play with!

Our house decorated for Halloween

Are we having fun yet, Benjamin?

Monkey see...

Monkey do...eat leaves before candy, that is!


Practicing Trick-or-Treat

Warming up to my friend, Monkey also

Silly little monkeys!

BOO!