The Pelhams go to Washington...and then some!!!

We started the month of November off by heading to Washington D.C. for a wedding!  We went a few days early to see the sights!  We rented a beautiful brownstone that was very centrally located (two blocks from the Capitol).  It allowed us to walk EVERYWHERE!

 

 

 The ND statue in the State Capitol.

 We had the pleasure of meeting Nana and Papa in D.C.  Who doesn't like a ride on a carousel at the zoo?!?

 "Nana, this is the BEST thing ever!"

  When in the city...

 D.C. has a very nice zoo.

 

 (Fernie is NOT happy about something...)

 

 I love this picture!

 There was great service at the White House.

 

 Finally the wedding!  Caroline is with Nana and Papa at the kid's table eating her weight in applesauce and dessert!

 This fall I had the pleasure of attending Fernie's fall school party.  We did crafts, played games, sang songs and ate yummy snacks.

 We have had the best fall/winter weather!  I can't believe we were out in November and December in short-sleeves and light jackets!  Pretty sure Jack would stay outside all day and play football if we would let him.

 

 

 "I love life!!"

 Jack is always up for a game of P-I-G with Dad.

 A little family game of croquet...seriously this weather!

 Jack and Fernie are doing very well in AWANA.  Jack has completed his book and has done his book review ALREADY!!  He received a new book this week and is already hard at work. 

 One of my favorite things about this time of year - Ringing the Salvation Army bell.  I had a great helper again this year.

 When Dad's away someone has to take his place for reading!

 I also had the pleasure of attending Jack's fall party.  This one was a bit more elaborate with a full Thanksgiving meal! 

 We had some VERY special Thanksgiving guests - the cousins!!!  The girls did crafts and played dolls while the boys played sports the ENTIRE time! (Fernie and Caroline were terrified of the "alien")

 

What a crew! 

 On December 4 we celebrated our princess turning 4!  She is just a bit excited!

 

 Fernie was ecstatic to receive a leotard and tutu from Papa and Nana. 

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!  We love you MORE than you will ever know. 

 Last week Jack had his Christmas program.  Have you ever seen a cuter sheep?!? 

As we enter my favorite time of year, I pray we will all remember the reason for the season.  What an amazing gift we have all been given.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

October FUN!

Happy October November all! 

Whoa, that month went by waaaayyy too fast...but we had a GREAT time.  We started the month out by celebrating Jack.  On the day of his 6th birthday party I took him to a friend's birthday party in the afternoon.  During the snack/cake time, he asked if he could have some pop...I figured, why not, it's his birthday!  WRONG ANSWER MAMA!!!  We got home about 30 minutes before his party was to start and about 5 minutes before the party started, he began complaining about a stomach-ache.  I panicked and canceled the party. Thankfully we had the following Thursday and Friday off from school, so after 24 hours of NO sickness, I rescheduled the party for Thursday!  About an hour after sending kids home and Jack resting, he was completely fine.  We decided that his glass of pop was a shock to his system!!  Lesson learned:  if someone has never had a glass of pop in their lives, the day of a big event is NOT the day to start drinking pop!!! 

Here is Jack celebrating his bowling strike and his friend's party - this is his "YEEEESSSS" pose!

 After all the party fiasco and Jack was back to 100%, we let him open his gift from Nana and Papa.  Every true Lions fan, needs a hat!

 So happy!

 There is nothing the kids loves more than chasing Dad around the yard!

 

 

 Jack is a Spark this year in AWANA, he loves it.  This is his first time receiving an award - they all get to go up on stage. 

 Finally the day of the party arrived!  I'm pretty sure Jack asked me 20 times throughout the day if it was time for the party!  I'm ashamed to admit I didn't take one picture of the cake or the decorations.  It was a Michigan sports team theme - Pistons, Spartans, Lions, Tigers and Red Wings!!!

Camp-counselor Dad was responsible for planning the activities - Football, baseball, soccer and track. 

 Even Fernie got in on the fun!

 

 

 Then it was time for the piñata.  I think each kid had about 10 swings...finally Dad gave it a few hard hits to loosen things up.  CANDY GALORE!!!

(my camera died right before they broke the piñata...)

 

The following weekend we celebrated some big Michigan wins.  Thankfully we had some party decorations and plates/cups left over!

 Time for Trick-or-Treat!

Presenting Dad, Spiderman, Cinderella and a cute little tiger!

This picture is so funny because Fernie was mad that we made her wear her coat under her Cinderella dress...she refused to smile...

 I told her if she didn't smile, she won't get to go trick-or-treating...funny how quickly that frown turned upside down!!

 Spiderman was always one step ahead of us!

Cute story:  At one house someone asked Fernie who she was and she responded "I'm Fernie"!!!

 Jack anticipates going to his house every year...they give a little can of pop.  Zack usually drinks the pop and leaves about two sips for Jack.  Jack thinks he drinks a WHOLE can of pop - Win/Win for everyone!!!

 Caroline did not miss a beat - she said "trick-or-treat" AND "thank you" at EVERY house!

Well it's November now, time to get the Christmas CDs out!!!!

A bit behind...

I can't believe I got so far behind...I will do my best to catch up.  So much has happened lately! 

The kids started school...to say Jack likes school is an understatement.  He is sad on the weekend when there is no school!!

 He has a great teacher. 

 

 

Hard to believe but Fernie started preschool as well...

She is still catching on to the school thing, I think she would rather stay home and play with Caroline and I!

This wee one enjoys her alone time with Mom! 

 Someone was sleeping in MY chair!

 You never know what you might find at the store! 

 I had to share this picture because Jack was sitting by one of his friends (we were behind them) and Fernie just had to pester him!!  I'm thinking this is ONLY the beginning!

 "See Mom, I can be like the big kids!"

 Love her smile, she loves when Dad twirls her.

 Two cuties!  (Sometimes a princess has to wear two tutus at a time!)

 Silly girl.

 We had a garage sale a few weeks back and my mom sold some jewelry...well Caroline thought it would be best to try the necklaces on before selling them.

 Time to try out the new park.

 

 

 He is one determined kiddo.

 I had the wonderful opportunity to chaperone Jack's first field trip - the Fire station!

 ALWAYS time for reading with Daddy.

 

 Love this picture of these two chasing Daddy around the yard.

 Best slide in town for crazy hair...

 

 

 Such a happy girl!

 Big changes for Jack this month.  The tooth fairy paid him a visit.  Funny story:  On the first attempt to replace the tooth with some coins, the tooth fairy woke Jack up!  Zack told Jack he was checking to see if the tooth was still there!!!  Second attempt:  SUCCESS. 

 

 Aaaaaand this big guys turned 6 TODAY!! Happy birthday buddy. 

We love you so much! (more pictures to come after his party tomorrow)

 Our biggest news of the month is that there will be another Pelham arriving in April.  We are all very excited.  Fernie has chosen the following names for a boy or girl baby:  Buster and Necklace.  We'll keep you posted on our name selection! 

 To announce our news at work, Zack took this message cookie to the office...

 

 Happy Fall!!!