Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday. It started off slowly Uncle Brian's car needed to be repaired before he could meet us, and so us Indy Flaherty's got to rest and have a morning of snuggles. Uncle Brian arrived, and we loaded the van up to head to Michigan. We had to stop in Anderson for dinner and bathroom breaks, and then a few hours later we had another round of bathroom breaks. We got everyone in their PJ's and loaded back into the car when Emma announced "I am poopy." So we had to unload Emma, but Uncle Brian assured us it was a nice bathroom equipped with changing tables and everything. I take Emma into the bathroom and sure enough not a single changing table in sight. I super mom took off my coat and let Emma lay on it (yick) and changed her non-poopy diaper (I had an inkling that it was a ploy to get out of the car.) At least she was clean and we were ready to get back on the road. We made the last leg of the trip pretty easily except for the hour of Emma freaking out because she was tired, and the paci was packed in the trunk. Finally we arrive to Michigan, put the kids to bed and the men folk have a drink. Oh how I needed one myself, but I just had a soda instead.
We woke up the next morning with coffee and chaos. Not a bad chaos, just the kind that you get when you put twenty-six people in one house. Thank goodness for Aunt Julie the chaos extraordinaire who knows how to avert bad chaos before it even happens. The cousins played, and Emma learned all sorts of neat tricks like how to be loud, crazy, and bossy.
We finally managed to get a decent cousin picture. I am sure Grandma is relieved. I think this was the third attempt. Mine isn't as good as Aunt Julie's she had prime photo location.



That's a lot of kid power in one place. After the picture we had a FABULOUS spread of food. Everything was simply delicious.
The next day was snow day. Emma finally got to play in the snow, and she had a blast!



So did Cian and Maeve.






The trip home was a little more uneventful, but all in all we had a great time, and we happy to be home but sad to leave everyone at the time.

Visit with Candi

We finally got to visit with Candi. It had been way too long she lives in West Virginia, and doesn't make it home that often. And we haven't been able to make the trip to go visit her. We had a nice relaxing visit with her, and went to a fun restaurant where Emma got to have pickles and chips for lunch. I tried to get a picture with Emma and Candi together, but two year olds are so well two... I did get a lovely picture of Emma with Candi's coaster. I guess that is as good as it can get.



The visit was way to short, and it reminded me of how much a good friend can not be replaced no matter how far they move.

How to store a child and a cat

What's the best way to store a very inquisitive 2.5 yr old and her cat?



In a box of course.

Holy Heartattack!

Sparkle Pony (aka Emma Bean) just locked me out of our house while I was taking the compost out. We have old doors that lock behind you, and she was watching dragon tales so I ran out really quick and that bugger followed right behind me to slam the door. (Insert favorite explicit here) I ran to the neighbors and they weren't home, so went to another neighbors house and he was home (oh thank goodness and especially thank goodness because he is very handy). I called the IL's and they didn't answer their phone called the hubby and he didn't answer his phone. (Insert another explicit here) I am like what do I do! The neighbor came over, and he was about to break the pane out of the door when he thought to look at the window it was unlocked so we opened it. Our windows are never unlocked so it was a sheer miracle that it was! I said I'm small I can climb the window he looked at me and say "Oh no I ain't having that happen on me.." Oh yeah I am pregnant and not so small anymore. So he climbs in the window, and lets me in. Sigh thank god! We are roasting a pumpkin right now it looks like he gets a loaf of pumpkin bread.

Happy Halloween

Painting

Emma loves arts and crafts. She was excited to receive a watercolor set from Trick or Treat at Meijer.

Broadripple Music Fest

Gamblin' Christmas had a gig at the Boulevard Cafe. It was a great family oriented gig. Emma had a great time. The owner of the Boulevard Cafe was very fond of children and gave Emma two cookies!

The cookies were the perfect toddler fuel for dancing.


And enjoying some fantastic music.