Vroom

To finish off these holiday posts (and to start your reading in an entertaining way) I give you Vroom. If you were at the Black residence this last week, chances are Ryan took your hand and said, "Come on." You were led to Grandpa's motorcycle. Grandpa let him ride on it with Dad on one occasion. On another, Grandpa started it and let Ryan sit on it alone and rev the engine. This brought great joy in the moment and great sorrow at the end. Parting is bitter sorrow! D and C broke down and bought him his own motorcycle (which is 'mikel' in Ryaneze).
This also brings the great ups and downs of emotion. But with our enormous yard, he should be able to get his fill of 'mikel' anytime.

Thanksgiving Day

We had a wonderful holiday vacation. The boys handled the 2 hour ride down just perfectly. They have never been so good! D, C and R slept at the neighbors overflow house. On T-day morning we had family pictures with the Frassa legacy. Thanks to Zach, Chuck and Bob for great pictures.
A and R played with the aunts, uncles, and cousins (and C had a break!) A fine meal was served (enough for a small army) and the best homemade cheesecake ever made was served. Props to Kirsten for her baking!
Zach Baily is Emily's sweetheart; this was his first Thanksgiving with this crazy bunch. It was also his 22nd birthday. (Tip: Click on Thanksgiving Day title and a video will load to your computer and play) At the end of our day we had some delicious cake (thanks to the Frassas) and some fun games. If you haven't played Hilarium yet, you must go out and buy it for your next family get together. This way you can see the couch potatoes act like opera singers and javelin throwers.
We made a 'thankful turkey' with each of us writing 3 things we were thankful for on his feathers. I echo the sentiment on every set of three, I'm thankful for this family!

Family Pictures

Here we go!

Friends, This holiday has raked in some great pics and stories that must be shared. As this is the first to be typed and the last to be read, I hope you enjoyed the quantity and content! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving yourself and are looking forward to a fantastic Christmas season. -CDB

Dan out of town

Dan left Tuesday and is coming home tomorrow night. It has actually gone well being dad-less. Except that (as most of you know) Dan does the dishes; so every night I look at my kitchen sink full of sippy cups and plates and think, 'Oh, I forgot. Maybe tomorrow I'll do that.'
Ok, it isn't up to the ceiling and there aren't fruit flies, but I sure miss having my dishwasher home.
This trip was bad timing. Yesterday we had 8am t-ball and 10am primary practice. Today we had our first Sunday in the new building (hooray!) and the Primary program. Alex is a Sunbeam and the class sang 'I am a Child of God.' Tomorrow is Thanksgiving breakfast at preschool (Turkey at 10am, yummy!)
I'm thinking that I deserve a little pampering when Dad gets back. A pedicure followed by a meal devoid of microwavable meat products.
We miss you Dad! Hugs and kisses to you!

Why we go to the Zoo.

1.Tree house 2.Carousel 3.Train (not on every visit) 4.Food 5.Gift shop 6.To look at the pictures mom has taken on the camera 7.To pet the sting rays 8.Animals

Alex is a tree house kind of kid. With bribery we can see animals. Ryan is a carousel kind of kid. He can wait as long as he knows he'll get to ride the carousel. Alex likes to check off animals,

"There he is mom, behind the rock under the tree. Let's go."

Ryan likes to watch the animals. This trip he was enthralled with the burrowing owl, the prairie dogs, and the orangutans (there was a baby one). Troublesome Ryan does not care for the tree house. He prefers to run and sit on the lion massage chair near the bathrooms.

I'm just glad we have season passes or else I'd run out of things to bribe with before we saw all the animals.

Trip to Phoenix Zoo

Swimming in November

Ryan was playing with the hose and asked if he could fill up the pool. How could I object? It's in the nineties still and the water is actually cool, so go for it. Some of you have heard that Ryan later took this swim diaper off and commenced to clean him self up, all over my house. That was super fun, let me tell ya. It may get in the high seventies later this weekend. I wish!