Thanksgiving Through Lex's Eyes

Thanksgiving was so awesome this year. It started for us the day before Thanksgiving! We spent Wednesday with Cortney's family at Laura and Bobby's new house. The turkey dinner was delicious, and we overate of course. The kids were able to break only one bowl, so it was very successful in all! We walked to their park afterwards and watched Cortney try to kill some neighborhood kids on the merry-go-round. It's no wonder those things were taken out of public parks years ago! It was so cold, too! I was a genius and forgot jackets for the kids. But it was 70 degrees when we left our house! How was I supposed to know it was going to get cold! Anyway, it was a lot of fun, and we were so glad we got to do it. I, of course, forgot my camera! I did remember the pie.

On Thursday, we spent Thanksgiving with my family. Danny, Sarah, and their kids drove down from Colorado, so we were all together again. The last time they were here was for Dad's surgery, but Cortney wasn't here. But this time, Cortney was here, Danny's family was here, and we were all together. We also had Grandma and Grandpa Nelson, Uncle Jim, Cory, his girlfriend Mindy and her daughter Chelsea with us for dinner. The house was pure chaos! It was really a special Thanksgiving. It started for us at 3:45 am with Cortney getting up to smoke his first turkey. It takes several hours, and he wanted to make sure that the turkey was perfect. There were a couple of moments of fear and panic, but the turkey did turn out perfect! When we got to my parent's house, the Ping Pong Tournament of the Universes started. The Chinese would've been jealous. I'm not sure who won (it changes with everyone you ask), but I do have to say that the basement smelled like a men's locker room and for some strange reason the Champion's Belt is shrinking! Weird! Then we had another delicious Thanksgiving dinner where we overate and got sick, again. We then attempted to clean the kitchen, had the first round of pie, and then we went and drove the racecars at Speedway (is that what it's called?). Dad still thinks he's the fastest, but we all feel bad for him on a regular basis and let him win. But, after 2 races, several T-bones, deadly spin-outs, sore muscles, taunting, fist throwing, and a few bruises, fun was had by all. Except maybe mom; she got stuck with all the kids, watching from the side. It was probably good she didn't race. She is a fun target (Hey look! It's a deer!). After the race, we went back to Mom and Dad's and had the next round of pie and watched the kids continue with the chaos. It was so wonderful! I was actually very sad to see the day end, for many reasons. Cortney had to leave Friday morning to go back to Philly, and then it was only a matter of time before Danny and Sarah and family left. At least we had that day, and it was a good one. It will definitely go down in the Crandall Book of Awesome!

So, in a moment of desperation and need, I gave Lex the camera and responsibility of taking our Thanksgiving pictures. At least I remembered the camera this time! He was my star photographer! He took 130 pictures! So, here are some of the pictures he took and how he perceived Thanksgiving. There were a lot of pictures of Molly (his cousin who he is attached to at the hip, but who lives in Colorado), their dog Dexter, and random objects, but they were so fun to look at. He got some pictures I never would've gotten. I'm impressed! The pictures aren't in any order, whatsoever. I had to laugh at the picture of the neighbors awesome bouncy house taken secretly through the trees!

Danny and Sarah, we miss you! Come home again soon!

Liam's Nativity

So this is Liam's version of the Nativity. I'm not even sure what to say. When Dad saw the pictures he thought that Liam was a smart boy because if the dinosaurs were around they would be protecting the Baby. I'm sure he's right, but I don't think that's what Liam was going for....

Liam's Hat .. or is it Cinoculars (binoculars)?

This is just the front view. I know that it all looks like a normal pair of cinoculars invented by a kid, but ....

IT'S ALSO A HAT!!!! How clever is that? I want one.

Meet Meowers

So this morning I was in our backyard cleaning up the toys and shredded soccer ball (thanks Idiot Dog) when I heard Kitty meowing really loud. I didn't worry too much about it because she does that randomly. She mostly likes to wait until the middle of the night to do it, but I still didn't worry or care. Well, Liam started crying and came running up to me with two large, bleeding scratches on his little hand. I asked him what happened, and he told me that the kitty had scratched him. So I picked him up and brought him into the house to clean the scratches and put bandaids on them. I started to worry a little bit about Kitty at that point because the meowing was still loud and constant. I thought that maybe she was stuck or something. I figured I would fix Liam and then figure out what the dumb cat's deal was. As I was cleaning his wounds, the meowing got louder and louder and closer and closer. I leave the back door open in the mornings, so of course, it was left open when we came in the house. I looked over as the meowing got to an all time loud, and I saw this striped streak run through the door and to the laundry room where the cat food is. Then I heard ferocious eating and growling and something seriously chewing with it's mouth open. I thought that Kitty had seriously lost it. So, I finished with Liam and went to see what in the world had happened to Kitty. I got to her cat food bowl, and there was a little striped kitten (I swear it's Kitty's twin), eating like he hadn't eaten since he was born! Liam was ecstatic! I did everything to discourage this little guy, but Liam did everything to encourage him. Well, not long after, Cort called. I was relieved because I knew he would take my side and tell me to get rid of it. Nope. He was excited and told me to tell Liam to name it. It was originally named Cuckoohead, but it's been changed to Meowers, which I think suits him better. I think my name needs to be Cuckoohead because that's what I am FOR KEEPING THIS CAT AROUND!!!!! Anyway, there's still the hope that Meowers will just pick up and leave because he's going to get really tired of all the loves, but something tells me (even from the picture) that he's gotten really comfortable and isn't going anywhere.

G. Ji. Joes

The world was safe this morning! The boys got up at the butt-crack of dawn (that means before the sun was up), put on their camo aka G. Ji (long i sound) Joe, loaded up their Tonka trucks, and made sure the day was safe to begin! I know our sleeping neighbors just don't realize how lucky they are to have the boys (and barking Idiot Dog) patrolling our backyard with their Tonka trucks at full speed. So, until the next mission ....

The Fit

Here she is! In action! She was mad at something - who knows what it was, she just gets randomly mad. Anyway, I gave her these crackers for a snack, and here she is dumping them out. It was actually more along the lines of throwing them out, but the camera didn't catch that.

What a sweet, little, angry monster!

Awww ... Really?

This post is a grumble about little boys. So, our pool salt cell thingy leaks and there is a tupperware (one of my good ones of course) underneath the leak to catch all of the salty water. Cort asked me before he left if I would go out every few days and dump the leaked water in the pool. Well, I forgot until today. So Liam and I went out there, and sure enough the tupperware was completely full. This said tupperware is wedged in an awkward sort of way under the salt cell thingy, so as I was maneuvering it out water sloshed everywhere, including on me. I finally got it out and picked it up and, of course, it spilled down the front of me. I'm feeling a bit frustrated at this point, but whatever. So, as I carry it to the pool, while continuing to slosh it all over my shirt and shoes, Liam says while pointing to the tupperware, "Hey, I peed in that yesterday!" AAAAAARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHY?! WHY?!
Why is it that if there is a hole or puddle or wall or insect or tupperware full of water it has to be peed on?!?! Will someone just answer me that?!?!?!

Liam, the Funny, Funny Jokester!

This morning as I was putting on my makeup, Liam stood there and watched me. I never put on very much during the week, if I put on any at all. I will smudge on a little bit of eye liner, one neutral color of eye shadow, and a thin coat of mascara. I'm all about being quick! So, as I was putting on my mascara, Liam says, "Mom, you look like a clown." He's such a funny, FUNNY little boy.

The Fort

So, we built a fort the other night. We were all so bored, and I was about to go crazy so we decided that the playroom needed to turn into a fort. It was an awesome fort, if I say so myself. I actually have quite a bit of experience in building forts, but this one was good and simple. The boys, of course, in having a secret fort needed to put on their Super's Masks. They might look like those soft headbands to the average eye, but I assure you they are masks that hide the identity of the one who wears it. I'm sure you have no idea that the 2 boys in the picture are Lex and Liam.

This is inside the fort.

Lily LOVED the fort. She crawled and screamed through the fort.

She eventually got frustrated with only crawling and had to stand and run, and of course, scream. It was hilarious!

The bump in the middle is her head.

The Ice Cream Man is a Child of God, too!

So yesterday evening, as I was making dinner and while the boys were playing in the backyard, we heard the ice cream truck. The boys, not knowing where the luring music was coming from, came running into the house shouting to me about the mysterious music. I explained that it was an ice cream truck. I then had to explain about "the good ol' days" when ice cream trucks ran rampant through the neighborhoods, selling their goods to hundreds of children at a time. I told them about the wonderful treasures the ice cream men had to sell: bomb pops, parachute men, ice cream animals with gumball eyes, candy cigarettes, etc. Well, Lex and Liam, upon hearing of these wonders, had to get a look at this ice cream truck. I will admit that I was excited too. So, we went out front and waited. We heard the music but never saw the truck. I ... I mean ... the boys started getting impatient so we jumped in the burban and hunted the guy down. We found him just down the road but we still drove like it was 1985! He was stopped, waiting while the mom of 2 little boys already there yelled at those 2 little boys. We jumped out of the burban, took advantage of the short distraction and ran to his window. With anticipation and hope in our eyes, I asked what my boys could buy for a dollar. He pointed to 3 popsicles. 3. No ice cream animals with gumball eyes or parachute men or anything! I swallowed my disappointment, and the boys picked out a popsicle. They seemed to have enjoyed the event, but I couldn't really be sure. Not until Family Home Evening.

So this month in FHE we've been discussing how we are all children of God and how much He loves us individually. I asked, "Is Liam a child of God?" Lex and Liam said, "Yes." I asked, "Is Dad a child of God?" "Yes." "Is the mailman a child of God?" "Yes." So then Lex says, in an awed voice, "The Ice Cream Man is a child of God because he brings glory!"

Now I know. The ice cream truck may not have the amazing treasures it once had, but it stills "brings glory" to my boys!

P.S. Safety First! Always watch out for Chester the Molester!

The Morning Fare

Do you like Lily's pile of faffles (waffles)? This is what we eat every, single day and have eaten every, single day since Lex could mash the faffles with his gums. So we're talking around 5 years of faffles every, single morning. This morning the kids were being so silly, and we felt like we needed to archive it. Wow ... life is ... exciting.

Soccer ... Again

So, this is Lex's second season of soccer! Hopefully he will catch on to the game this season. Last season it was more spinning and frolicking through the field and sitting and pondering, while eating the grass, than it was actually playing the sport. Our little pacifist! If they could all just be friends and have a large soccer party instead of competition, he would be so much better! He does look so handsome in his uniform, though, doesn't he?

Brushing Our Teeth

Proof that we do have some good hygiene practices! This was actually before church, so teeth brushing is obviously necessary - we've got to keep up appearances! Just kidding .... Lily was the funniest. She has a Thomas the Train toothbrush like Liam so it sings that annoying Thomas the Train song. She and Liam will turn their toothbrushes on and then Lily tries to dance and brush her teeth. Of course, being the awesome mom that I am, I allow her to dance around with a toothbrush in her mouth because it's hilarious! It's ok that she chokes - as long as we get a good laugh - right?

Lily playing dress up

It must be a natural instinct regarding girls and clothes. Lily was dressed just fine for the day until she found Liam's pajamas. She cried until I put them on her. Then, of course, the outfit was not complete until she had at least one shoe on. What did I get myself into?

Liam - The Bug Whisperer

At least these are just moths! He will pick up any stray bug in our house and then make sure that it gets outside to it's "family." The weird thing is that the bugs don't seem to mind! Even the pincer bugs let him hold them! I'm sure my next post will be Liam - The Bug Destroyer because one will bite him and the compassion will be all over.