4 Day Weekend

Wow. We're really behind on all of the holiday posts. X, J, and K went and had themselves a nice little 4 day weekend to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. Part of their adventure included a stop at the gigantic children's playland known as the Cincinnati Children's Museum. The below pictures chronicle their time well spent.


"I wonder if the folks at the Dr.'s office realize this is missing."

Not exactly sure what the endgame is on this activity, but I'll be damned if he isn't focused!

"This I can get down with. Anybody see my toy weed wacker?"

"Hey, don't be getting your sand on my freshly mowed carpet."



Go into your cave. Find your spirit animal.



Leading the search party into the tunnel to find lost Kara.



"Found her. She was in the tunnel. She's right behind me."

"Okay, what's next. Boring Duplo dinosaurs. Check."
I don't know which of these three looks the least apathetic.

"So you're putting me in a giant net-enclosed area filled with about 400 or so balls, 30 or so kids, and about 20 contraptions, air jets, and mechanisms to utilize with said balls. Mom... go get the dogs and my snacks. This is home now."

Gearing up for first of many double dunks.

"Ready. Please lift me 9 or so feet into the air."

"King Kong ain't got nuthin' on me!"

Turkey Time

It's Thanksgiving time again, and this time around X gets to FEAST! Too bad technology thwarted our day and laughed in our blurry faces late Thursday night when we sorted through over 50 out of focus Thanksgiving photos. What you see below is our annual family photo along with the precious few photos that were taken in focus.


We're all smiling. Take my word for it.

Xavier getting geared up for his first Thanksgiving Day FEAST. This year's feast will not feature pureed turkey and veggies served from a jar. Note: At this point the shirt is more prophecy than actuality.



Right name, wrong sport. We were looking for FOOTball. Aaaaaaand unless you're the goalie (and you aren't) you're not allowed to use your hands in futbol.



Now you're cooking with gas! And you're protecting the ball with both hands! Atta boy! Now if only we could send a copy of this pic to Mike Vick...



Uncle Dave's hoodie is becoming a blog regular, while Kara delivers an unwarranted, but welcome, cousin hug.



"Umm... fishing for a return hug, are you? It's just not the same when they throw it at your feet. It's called 'hard to get' cuz, and it works."



"How's about a fiver instead. Next time don't push so hard. Just let the friendship happen."



"Now, where's that turkey that mom and granny cooked? I'm gonna tear that bird apart!"

"What a spread you guys. Seriously, you've outdone yourselves. I mean, chestnut stuffing? You really pulled out some gourmet stuff here! Best gravy to date, mom! You guys thought of everything. Could someone please pass me the cranberry sauce? Oh, nevermind. Now if I can just get a nip of that wassail I'll be out of your hair and off to bed. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!"

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

Xavier and co. took a short vaca up to the Windy City to visit Grandma and the Museum of Science and Industry. The museum was a lid-flipping, mind-blowing experience for young X. He was amazed, to say the least. When he wasn't running around with a grin from ear to ear, his jaw hung wide open in astonishment.


"Whoah. That's a lotta model trains. Dad, let's head upstairs and see what we can see."



Maw still open in amazement.



"OMG..."



"..."



"Ben Franklin ain't got nothin' on me!"



"Hey mom... what kind of mushrooms were those?"



Xavier from Remulak.



Xavier doing his Sean Astin hobbit impersonation.

Time to visit Grandma!

"Hey Grandma! Read me a story please!"

Grandma: "OK, but are you going to suck your thumb like this?"
Xavier: "No.... (yes)."

"It's Mama Llama time!"



And the thumb goes in. What a great ending to a mini vacation up in Chi-town.
"See you soon Grandma!"

The Elephant Man

This year Xavier had the opportunity to experience All Hallow's Eve as an active member of society. Last year was for mom and dad. This year it's all about X and his unwillingness to take off his Halloween costume. And rightly so. Just look at the little rascal.


"Yeah. Don't you guys worry about buyers remorse. You're gonna get your money's worth out of this thing."



"Having a ball in my elephant digs. Pun absolutely intended."



Elephant DJ



"This is how an elephant drinks. Well, sort of, technically my mouth is in the wrong place. And I shouldn't have two noses. Nevermind."



For those who give a hoot... Xavier's album of the day: Armed Forces by Elvis.



"Let's do this. Stampede dad, stampede."



From foreground: Hare, Pachyderm, Toy Astronaut, Hidalgo



"Nice dog costume. The leash and collar add to the image. Touche."



"Best. Halloween. Ever."