Celebrations!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We drove to the big city on Wednesday, the most traveled day of the year... in the States anyway.  We made it in a record 6 hours as we cut out our lunch stop to enjoy Pizza Hut on our arrival!  There is a fairly large expat community in the big city.  This was a blessing while we lived there; sharing stories of life overseas, advice on how to live/work here, and items from the Sates when we received packages.  So on Thursday we joined 4 other families and a handful of singles to celebrate Thanksgiving.  It was a great time of sharing the things we are thankful for, singing and just good old time with friends.  Then there was the food!  We had turkey, potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberries, green beans, and pie!  Thankfully our host succeeded in getting one of two turkey's left in the whole city.  Turns out it was from last year...frozen and just as good!  The cranberries too were in short supply.  Two cans were all that was found by multiple people.  I made pumpkin and at last pecan pie.  I bought whipping cream as well.  While I whipped it up it seemed a little different than I expected, getting firm quickly and not evenly.  We stuck it in the fridge until dessert time.  When we took it out it had harden, looking like very white butter.  Thankfully it tasted great and was smooth and soft in your mouth. 

The boys were great travelers in the car!
Being silly and mimicking what they see around them: looking for lice...none found!
 

Garbage can in Wendy's at the mall.

 We spent Friday shopping and enjoying the city.  As we walked through the mall the boys kept asking, "Is it Christmas already?" due to the various decorations (which where few and far between, especially compared with what we are use to).  John and I even went on a date while the boys played at a friends house!  It was a really nice way to spend the Holiday. 

Our four year old. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

 On Monday we celebrated Whitman's birthday.  We started with cinnamon rolls and presents before school. 

The much asked for present. 
I'm not sure where he got the idea for a dartboard.  Thankfully we found a nice magnetic one at Ace Hardware in the big city.  Ace is the westerners place to shop... it has SO MUCH more than just tools.

 

Not sure what to think. 
The box was from a French press.  He kept saying he doesn't like coffee. 

Swinging at a piñata. 
In the afternoon we celebrated with neighbors.  Playing with water balloons and regular ones.



Batman and Whitman
Thanks to the warm weather we were able to make a piñata the day before his birthday. 

Neighbors waiting for turns with the piñata.

Then we ate cake!

Being sung to.

 

Blowing at the candles.

Whitman is moving into being four very quickly.  At one point during the day, after picking his nose, he said, "I didn't eat it because I'm four now."