Thanksgiving visit

Oh what sweet silliness ensued with a much anticipated visit from brother Jake, Joanne and baby Nate for Thanksgiving week.

I was so excited to meet my nephew for the first time! Mom and Dad were also a part of the joy. The cousins meet with one way smiles (thank you Nate!) and one way paranoia (thank you Brock).

 It is 60 degrees today in Chicago. When the fam came in, it was 20 degrees and we were hit with our first snow of the year; a heavy fall! Ha ha ha! We were happy to give the Californians a good show.

The snow was just in time for our drive to Indiana to visit with my mom's family. We stayed overnight in a lovely Holiday Inn and a had a mini-vacation.

  Nate and Jake getting comfy in the room.

 Nate is known for his amazing ability to upturn his mouth in a manner that stimulates dopamine and fires off neurological transmitters to evoke a sense of snooogga-dooga-cutey-pooty.

 See what I mean?

Mom and dad did a great job of picking a midwest hotel with all the bells and whistles, including a pool! Joanne has a swimmer past and has passed the skills down to Nate.

The next day we met at Richard's restaurant to reunite with Jake and I's favorite cousin, Kristie. It had been forever since we had gotten together, and it was a blast to see her again and her awesome family, husband Phil and son Sammy. Sammy is just a week older than Brock!

Here we are chowing on some good Midwestern diner chicken and having a lovely time catching up.

Kristie, Uncle John, cousin Renelle, Roger and Jako.

Uncle Tom, dad, aunt Annette and cousin Heather.

Bunch of goofs.

Sammy and Brock got along grand. I am pretending it is because Brock is just a welcoming social guy and not because Sammy had Elmo on his shirt. This was much welcomed after a strained and hilarious new acquaintance with baby Nate.

The boy cousins (that's all there are) hamming it up!

"You said there would be cheese, where's the cheese?!"

Nate's over it.

 Back in the city, two naps and 3/4th of a day later, we are rallied up to head downtown for Michigan ave, Bean, Maggie Daley park and Cristkindlmarket.


 "Why did we choose the coldest day of the week to do this mom?"

"because it's time to have fun, start having fun."

It was not the best day indeed. Winds got a bit intense for Nate and California crew (and us too, but we can hide behind them for now and just say it was them). We all toughened up when glog was procured at the Chirstkindlmarket giving us strength to get on the L and head home.

 The next day we went to the Science and Industry Museum. They have a wonderful Christmas around the world exhibit that Brock absolutely loved.

 Whoa! Tall tree.

 Trrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeee, pretty trreeeeeee.

 Fluff was almost as wonderful as the trees. He carried around a little wad friend for the rest of the day.

The gang's back together!

Much better option than actually going to big Willy tower.

Grandma gets some good grandma time.

Back at the ranch, Jake and Nate are getting in some Brock toy time while grumpy McNoShare was napping. Brock's phrase of the week was "no share baby Nate" and also the ever-charming, "no baby Nate touch you" (you as in me). He has always been possessive of Matt and I, not as much his stuff, but I think it was just a lot to have an adorable baby up in his biz. Every once in a while, still, Brock will be eating something and say "no share apple with baby Nate". We have since stopped the long response of "baby Nate is in California, baby Nate can't eat apples, baby Nate likes you and wants to be your friend, baby Nate will share with you when you come to visit, it's nice to share..." bla bla bla. Now we just roll our eyes and ignore.

He's a cute guy! I get it!

In one of our favorite interactions, Brock has made himself a protective fort made of red algae (a take away from a Rainbow Fish book) to guard against the oncoming smiles of baby Nate.

And now it's turkey time!

Cousin Carol and her wonderful fam are generous and gregarious enough for the honor of hosting the Thomas Thanksgiving. Here is host Greg taking a much deserved break listening to the antics of Uncle Gene and Aunt Barb.

Carol and second cousins Jana and Miranda. I haven't see Miranda since she was a little older than Brock!! Insanity.

Two of my favorite ladies in the world.

Brock made quite an entrance when he b-lined for the snacks. I have no idea what he was chatting about, but from the corner of my eye there were many amused faces and raised eyebrows. He must be one of us!

Yay us! There are obviously a few cameras working at once judging from our split focus.

In this picture we all know where the camera is! I seem to have thought it was on the back of my eyelid.

The glorious feast is at hand.

I have no idea what was said here, but I have some guesses.

Nate tickling the ivories before he heads back.

and a final chew of the hammer that Nate got for Brock as part of an awesome and very kind host gift of Brio builder set. Goodbye Nate and Jake and Joanne! We (let's not get specific) absolutely loved having you, come back anytime!

The next day, with Thanksgiving crossed off the list, we can get ready for Christmas! Brock was not quite ready to let the harvest decorations go as seen from the berries on the tree.

Blanket was helping. We had a lovely final night with mom and dad amongst the freshly spirited decor. Love you guys!