Flashback: Thanksgiving 2011

Benjamin arrived safely home after his trip to Spain the same day as my Mom, and sister Aislinn arrived.  We had pizza, sang Happy Birthday to Aislinn, and Inara, and they blew out their candles. We all ate yummy cake that Entegra and Inara made and decorated.  That was Saturday.

Sunday we went to church.  After dinner we went outside.  My mom, Benjamin, and Entegra made a maze out of the leaves in the back yard.  We had fun running around it.  I wish I'd taken pictures of that.

Monday we just went into town and shopped around a little.

Tuesday we went the Harpers Ferry in West Virginia.  It was really wet and kind of cold.  I think the kids handled it pretty well though.  We visited several little museums, bought the girls hats (because we couldn't find an umbrella anywhere), and went through the wax museum about the life of John Brown.  My mom, sister, and I all attempted to stand in 3 states at once - West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia.  We got as close as we could.  In order to do that exactly, we would've had to stand in the rivers and that wasn't an option.

Wednesday we went to Jamestown.  It was awesome.  Sadly, I didn't realize there was the actual Jamestown down another road, but we got to see a Native American village, Colonist colony (Jamestown-ish), and three historic type ships.  I loved it, thought it was great!

Thursday was, of course, Thanksgiving.  I'd like to think I did a good job planning and preparing the food.  We had a nice dinner and then went out for roller skating.  I had such a good time.  Entegra had a really hard time to begin with but after a lot of patience, I was able to help her around several times, and she ended up really liking it.  Inara enjoyed going around a couple of times, but Bracken had to sit on the sidelines with whichever of us was taking a break.  (Originally, I had understood that they allowed strollers on the floor, but apparently only on specific nights.)
We had a pretty good time, but ouch on the ankles and I had quite a biff at the end.  Full on, trip and slide right on my belly - hilarious - my elbows were killing me the next couple of days.

Friday, Benjamin and I went out for Black Friday shopping.  Not terribly successful but we got a gift card out of it.  Later I went out with my Mom, Kathy (I guess it's about time I name her), and Aislinn.  Clothes, clothes, wonderful clothes.  We were a little more successful.

Saturday we just relaxed, then it was time for Mom and Aislinn to fly back home.

Sorry Mom, it was just too funny.  I had to put in this picture of you "relaxing".

We had an eventful and fun week, and hope to do more again next year!

Flashback: Inara's 3rd Birthday

I've decided to call these posts, that I've written way after the fact, Flashbacks.  They can be as far back as several years or just a couple months.

Novemeber 2011
So, Inara's 3rd Birthday!!  My sweet little girl is talking a lot better, and still refuses to wear pants!  Dresses and skirts ONLY, for this girl.

Inara's Favorite color:  Purple
Favorite food:  Macaroni and Cheese
Favorite animal:  Unicornia  (her words)
Who is your favorite princess:   Rapunzel
What is your favorite toy:  My little dolls (the 3-4inch princess dolls w/ strechy plastic clothes)
Where is your favorite place to go:  Chuck E. Cheese


Sadly, Benjamin wasn't able to be here for Inara's birthday this year so we celebrated a little later, after he came home from his trip to Spain.
I took the kids to Chuck E. Cheese on her birthday and they had a blast of course.  When Daddy came home we had a cake, candles and presents.