Yoga with Grandma

After that big Thanksgiving meal the boys needed to do a little workout.  So they enlisted the help of their yoga-doing Grandma.

 Now, one would think seeing Gus in his pjs that it was late.  It was probably only 5 o'clock.  Gus would live in pajamas if I let him.

 Two of the Fiene boys were actually trying out these moves.  One of them was being ridiculous.  Care to venture any guesses?

 Doing a little cool-down.  Looks like it is time for bed.

Thanksgiving Festivities

Yes, I know it is way past Thanksgiving.  I'm behind.  Way behind.  But it is this or nothing at all.
 
We went down to Zionsville, IN for Thanksgiving this year.  River of Life has a Thanksgiving Eve service so Hans had no service obligations on Thanksgiving Day.  We woke up early that morning and made it to Zionsville in time to surprise his parents at their church service. The boys even picked out matching sweaters to wear.  They actually still like matching.

 We attempted a family picture with the matching boys.  If only they could have matching smiles...or at least all be smiling.

 Great Grandma Fiene was in town so we had to get a picture with her too.

 The table was set and we were all waiting for some delicious food.  I was just hoping Fritz wouldn't try to get under the table and break everything.

 We were excited to spend some time with Jake, Ashley, and our adorable niece, Finley.

 Finley definitely stole the show.  Grandma and Grandpa just couldn't put her down.

 Finley had just turned the big O-N-E a couple of days before Thanksgiving.

 I know the parents of an adorably cute child get lost in the crowd.  But we were super excited to see them too.

 Anders was willing to share his new toy...for about 5 minutes.  Then he picked up something else to distract Finley so he could take his toy back.

 Hans and I enjoyed some mimosas.

 Uncle Christian enjoyed spending time with his nephews.  We didn't think we were going to see this California boy, but he was able to fly in and surprise all of us at the last minute.  We loved seeing him.

See?  He is fun and crazy.

We all had a ton of fun and a Happy Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving

Since Christmas day has come and gone I feel it is about time to let you all in on our Thanksgiving festivities.  I'm sure you were all dying to know what we did.

 This year we had a low-key day with my in-laws.  Well, as low-key as you can get with my three little goofballs.

 Grandpa had to suffer through the dinner sitting in between these two boys.  I'm not sure how much of the adult conversation he heard. 

 Grandma sat next to the kid who interrupted her every 5 minutes to ask for more mashed potatoes.

 Real men drink pink champagne. 

Actually, real men drink pink champagne ONLY to toast the arrival of the newest Fiene born to Jake and Ashley.

The boys dressed in a variety of costumes, as usual.  In case you are not aware, this is Larry Boy.  He is the superhero of Veggie Tales.

 After dinner we played games.

 I think Grandpa and Gus were trying to cheat.  Although is it really cheating when an unnamed seven year old holds his cards for all to see?

The next morning the boys curled up with Grandma to watch Charlie Brown's Christmas.

 Even Beauty and the Beast were getting along.

 It was a wonderful day.

Here's to many more low-key Thanksgivings!!

Thanksgiving

Since we are coming up on the middle of December, I thought I should actually blog about Thanksgiving.  This year we had it at our house, which was nice.  It would have been even nicer if my oven had been working properly.  At least it was heating up, which is more than I can say it is doing at this moment...but I digress.

We had a house filled with 13 people.  I love having everyone at our house.  In Denver we spent all of our holidays at our friends Jan and Jared's house.  It was fun and I miss those days, but being the hostess isn't all that bad.  Unlike Jan, I can not be all things to all people so I prepared the meal and my wonderful mother-in-law took most of these pictures.  I would have maybe three pictures of this day if it had not been for her.

 Everyone who is invited into our house gets roped in to reading to the boys.

 Not really sure where Hans was for this picture, but these are the Fiene siblings that were present.

 Our 22 lb turkey.  Hans was really excited at the thought of using his electric carving knife...can you tell?

 Christian is pretending to listen to the conversation.  He enjoys showing off his thinking pose.  Being a ham certainly runs in the family.

 This is the closest I have ever seen these two without them hitting each other.  I wasn't there, but I'm pretty sure the hitting part came next.

 There is John perfecting his neck-choking pose.

Not pictured were Pam, Debbie, and Glenn.  We all had a great time eating good food and wonderful desserts.  Hans made a delicious pumpkin pie from an actual pumpkin and Debbie made cheesecake from scratch.  We could have skipped the dinner all together.

After we settled the kids in for the night and caught a quick nap Ashley, Debbie and I did some shopping.  Nothing too crazy, but a lot of fun.

Before Hans' parents and brother went back home they graciously stopped by the church to record some part of a Lutheran Satire song.  Looks like they had a lot of fun recording.

Thanksgiving

We had a Thanksgiving Eve service at our church followed by their annual pie festival.  Pie festival?  Hans had no idea what this was but was game for anything including pie.  After church, we all sat, chatted and enjoyed various pies.

 Some of us enjoyed our pie more than others.

For as much as was on his face, hands and clothes, he actually got a good deal of pie in his mouth.

On Thanksgiving morning, we drove to Indianapolis and had a great meal with family.

 Despite what has been said about the thing on Hans' forehead, I assure you it is not a hickey.  That would be very, very weird.  Hans bumped his head on the bathroom faucet while brushing his teeth.  He is still working on his depth perception.

On Friday we had a relaxing day in Zionsville.

 We all went to the park to play a little basketball and throw the frisbee for Fritz.

 Grandma showed her strength as she hoisted John up for a basket.  That kid is A LOT heavier than he looks.

 Anders just enjoyed walking around.  He loves his new found freedom with walking.

 Hans was showing the boys how it's done.

Look at the wrist.  That is some great follow through.  I remember my grandpa teaching us how to shoot baskets in our backyard.  He drilled us on our follow through (in a loving grandpa sort of way).

Solveig got a new chair for her front porch just Anders' size.  Now he wants to sit by himself in every chair he sees.  What a big boy.