Santa Visit

Tuesday, we went to visit Santa at our local mall. We had very low expectations, but Henry was not at all hesitant to sit on his lap and talk. But who knows what he told him!

Thanksgiving in the Fort

Yes, it is the week of Christmas and I am just getting around to talking about Thanksgiving. My bad! That tells you how busy December has been. The other reason for the delay is that I didn't have many good pics from the weekend. Now that Mark's sister Mary (who is a professional photographer) is in Fort Wayne, I let her do her thing. And boy, I was glad that she did!

A ton of good photos are on her blog, which I will link here: http://frankebell.tumblr.com/ You may need to scroll down a bit to see them all, but in the meantime you can enjoy pictures and commentary on her daughter Jane.

We'll be sure to be better at Christmas, but until then enjoy our Turkey Day.

Train park in Hockley Texas

Last weekend, we trekked to Hockley TX (about a 50 min drive) to check out the Houston Area Live Steamers, which is basically a bunch of guys with large trains. Based on the agreement with the county park where their lines are installed, they give free rides to the public every 3rd Sat of the month.

Because of a 30 min wait each time and lunch, we took 2 rides (about 10 mins each) and called it a day. But Henry seemed to enjoy it....and his dad thought it was pretty cool too.

Fun with our friends

Henry met a friend at the park last year named Kyle, who happens to be only 1 week younger than him. Kyle and his mom, Allison, also go to the same library story time as we do and a couple of weeks ago they invited us to join them at the zoo. We took a special stroller tour and saw animals that were tan in color, including a small lizard like thing. Kyle said his favorite part was "Henny"; I am sure that Henry would say the same if he could pronounce Kyle's name!

Pilgrim Lutheran Fall Festival

This afternoon our church held their annual Fall Festival, which is essentially games, rides and good food. Henry really enjoyed the games - especially Go Fish and the Cake Walk, but the highlight was the train (4x) and the bounce house (countless).

He was even a bit of a daredevil and tried a spinning ride. You can tell that he is the youngest one on it and he lastest a good five minutes until he signaled he wanted to be done. What a good way to wear out a two year old before the dreaded time change!







With his friend James on the train (yet again)

Saturday mornings

What is better than reading the paper with Dad under the fuzzy blanket on a Saturday morning?

Halloween weekend

This weekend we enjoyed Fall arriving to Houston and just in time for Halloween. Saturday, we headed to the Sugar Land Town Square to see costumes, talking raccoons and have dinner. Henry wasn't yet up for wearing his costume, so he went in his best Fall outfit.

Come Halloween though, he did wear his doggy costume. First, Mark modeled it for him and then we just forced it on. After he got used to it, he didn't mind it at all. Maybe he figured he wouldn't get as much candy without it.

Also included here is a picture of Henry with our Halloween decoration, Kitty Lou. Kitty Lou is named for the farm cat that lived in and around my mom's house in Conklin MI growing up. My Grandma Stoppenhagen had it made and would get it out for Halloween. When my grandparents pared down their things, I was lucky enough to get Kitty Lou and she sits by our mantle every Halloween. Henry is naturally a stuffed animal lover, so he has taken Kitty Lou on several outings and decided she should join him for lunch yesterday.

Nighty Night

When it is dark or someone or something is going to sleep, Henry says nighty night. Yesterday when I got him up from his nap, he wanted to play with the animals a bit longer and he left them like this, blanket and all.

From left to right, that would be: Bear, Mr. Lion, Herman (the monkey), Boo and a very old Pooh (formerly Mom's). Nighty night stuffed animal friends!

Henry is 2!

Where has the time gone? Henry turned 2 over a week ago and enjoyed a train themed party with family and friends. During the party we read train books and did a train craft. Thankfully this year he didn't cry at the sound of "Happy Birthday" and the cake. But the cake was spit out and only the ice cream was eaten.

He got a lot of great gifts and has enjoyed new books, a tractor and trailer, puzzles, games and more. You can see him here trying out his new doctor kit.

Meeting Jane

Henry has a new cousin named Jane and he was lucky enough to meet her during her Baptism weekend in early October. Of the words he can say and are understood is 'baby', so he definitely new how to identify her. In addition to hanging with Jane, Henry got to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Franke (which he thought was the same person, always pointing to Grandpa) during a beautiful Fall weekend.

Frito Family Day at the plant

Man, where has the time gone? Sorry there has not been updates in nearly a month.

Today we enjoyed a morning at the Frito plant where they gave plant tours and had a cookout. I was excited to see how chips were made and easily donned my hairnet, safety glasses and ear plugs, but Henry would have none of that, so he may be the first visitor to have not complied with the tour requirements. Amazingly though, he warmly greeted Chester Cheetah, enjoyed running around with his friend Landon, got a train painted on his hand and met a fireman.

I think the picture of Henry with Mark in the background is interesting due to the same gait and posture - the apple does not fall far from the tree!

August Musings

Other than the Houston heat, August has been a good month and we have been enjoying our routine at home, after traveling a lot in July.
Hanging out in the heat

I can't believe he already knows how to mimic computer usage!

Summer library reading club award for listening to 20 books

Entertained by Daddy in the playroom

Fire House

Henry and I visited the Greatwood Fire Station last week as a part of a MOPS social outing. He wasn't too keen on getting in my himself, but we had to get a picture in the truck.

We are looking forward to our MOPS group that will meet twice a month starting in September and hoping that we meet new friends - both adult and toddler!

Michigan Vacation

Last week we met the Bayes family in Michigan and spent a wonderful five days on Spring Lake. Thank you to Uncle Terry and Aunt Jan for opening up their home (and refrigerator, play room, dock, swimming pool...you get the picture). Save for a bout of the stomach flu for a few of us, a good time was had by all - especially Henry, the new found beach bum. The pictures below are a collection of the week's events. Highlights include a day at Lake Michigan, feeding the ducks at Spring Lake, 'Cow Day' at the farm, blueberry picking, quality time with the cousins and a quick stop in Chicago on the way home.