Happy Thanksgiving...Happy Birthday!

Stu poses with the Thanksgiving table, set for action!


Bryce & Drew with their Thanksgiving morning cinnamon rolls at the kids' table.


Drew & Grandpa playing trains.


The big meal! Karen, Stu, Drew, and Dalon & Antonia.


Jamal, Bryce & Lamar. Drew refused to hold still for pictures!


Happy Birthday! Opening his new Curious George.


Drew thanks his "Bro-Bro" for his birthday gifts.


Showing off the new Big Wheel & Curious George.


Grandpa & Grandma got Drew this cool scooter!


Drew gets ready to make a wish & blow out the candle.



The masterpiece, created by my dear friend, Antonia. (It's Super Why, Drew's favorite character on PBS.)


Grandpa gets in on the fun.

Bryce liked the cake!

It was a big weekend here at the Crane house! We had a wonderful Thanksgiving on Thursday, immediately followed by Drew's 2nd birthday on Friday! We also somehow managed to put up the Christmas tree, the outside decorations, do a little shopping...phew, I'm exhausted just remembering all of it! :)

Thanksgiving was a relaxed, peaceful day, shared with Stu's parents and our good friends, the Bynums. Dalon, Antonia, Lamar & Jamal came over to eat with us, and we had a great time. The boys all kept each other very entertained. We ate too much and had fun doing it!

On Friday we celebrated Drew's big day. He still doesn't really understand the concept of birthdays, but he does know about cake. For the past couple of months, if you asked him what he wanted for his birthday, you always got the same answer. An emphatic, "CAKE!!!" We obliged, and Antonia made him an awesome "Super Why" cake. He loved it! He was also very happy to receive a new Big Wheel, a scooter, some singing tools, cars, shoes, and many other great gifts. Thanks to all who remembered him on his special day!

We're now in full holiday mode! Tomorrow Bryce's preschool class visits a local grocery store to decorate a Christmas tree, and we've already got several holiday parties this week. We're excited to dive into the season head first! 'Tis the season! Enjoy!

Elf Yourself

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Concession Speech

Bryce & Drew were decked out in Bobcat gear!


Drew in his classic Lulay jersey.


Bryce added the Shrek hat on his own.


Look closely and you'll see a splotch of white in the middle of the picture...that's Jackie Chan!

OK, here it is, my 2008 concession speech. Well, not a speech, really, but still concessionary! The Griz beat the pants off us yesterday. That's it, no excuses, no whining. We weren't good. We had multiple chances to score and we didn't, plus we had too many turnovers. It was a sad day to be a Bobcat fan.

That said, the Griz wore what have to be the UGLIEST throw-back uniforms I have ever seen! The copper (orange) & gold needs to be buried FOREVER. It wasn't even cool in the 70's. And way to not match the 20,000 fans that showed up to cheer you on. Dorks.

Luckily, our school colors: A) don't change with the season & B) are actually attractive. As demonstrated by Bryce & Drew, everyone looks good in blue & gold! :) They boys had fun dressing up for the game, even if they had to stay home. They did have two of the coolest baby-sitters on earth, though (they even come equipped with their own toys!) so it was ok.

The other picture I posted was of Jackie Chan filming his new movie The Spy Next Door in our neighborhood! Our development is only about a year old, and we have an entire street of model homes that can be toured. The film crew is using the model home street as a set for the next few weeks. We've been checking out the action, and we were able to see them filming a scene in the back yard of one of the models last week. The picture isn't that impressive, but it was neat to see the filming in action! We're keeping our eyes open for our chance to break into show business as extras! :)

Preschool Halloween Hijinks

Bryce & his partner in crime, Duncan, get into the winter spirit.


Bryce gets ready for the Halloween feast at preschool.


Bryce!


Bryce & his preschool friends.


Mrs. Lindsey (referee) rounds up the ghosts & goblins.

Ok, I admit that we were having so much fun on Halloween night that we didn't actually remember to take any pictures!!! I know, no "Mom of the Year" award for me! We did have a great time, though. Our new neighborhood is awesome. The kids had the run of the street after we blocked it off, and most of the families were out in their driveways with candy & decorations.

This morning Bryce & his good buddy, Duncan, decided it was time to dress up in winter outfits, even though it's not very cold here. They crack me up.