Eating Our Way Around the World

This weekend we went to an Ethnic Enrichment Festival, an outdoor festival celebrating the many cultures represented in America. They had food from all over the world, dancing and singing, and booths where you could learn about the cultures and buy traditional items from each place. We learned a bit, but mostly, we walked around and ate.

We thought for sure Anna would be anxious to have food from home, but she chose a doner kebob from the Turkey stand. I got an Israel sampler plate with hummus, pita bread, falafel, and a kosher pickle. Eric and the boys had jumbo hot dogs from the Italy stand. Go figure.

It was a fun time, and I actually wish I could go back and have more food! But in all seriousness, it was neat to be reminded how diverse our American culture is. When we're just going about our day-to-day business, we kind of forget about the cultures that make up our heritage, so it was nice to have the festival to remind us to celebrate our differences.

Not the greatest shot, but it gives an idea of what the stands look like.

Ellis as a geisha. 

Sharing a green tea popsicle from Japan.

Ellis drinking a lemonade the size of his face!

Sunday Fun

We had lots of bubbles left over from Oliver's birthday party, so we had some fun with bubbles yesterday morning. Daddy went out before the boys and I were up and got donuts, and we played on the porch until time to go to church. 

The boys had fun blowing bubbles onto a fresh spiderweb. The bubbles stuck and the spider went nuts, thinking there was something new in her web.

We always buy plenty of bubbles because inevitably Oliver pours some out. No biggie.

Boat Ride / Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Happy Birthday, Eric! We love you!

4th of July

Backing up just a bit, here are some photos from our 4th of July holiday with family. We spent the afternoon on the lake, then ate dinner and went "in town" at sunset for a fireworks show. Ellis was worn out from swimming all afternoon, so he didn't make it for the fireworks. That's why he's only in one photo, if you're wondering. :)

Happy 9th Anniversary!

If I had a dollar for every time over the last nine years I've heard, "You must be a saint!"

(Well...I'd have enough dollars to buy us all a round at Starbucks. And that ain't cheap.)

But seriously, I've heard that a lot over the years. Mostly from people who don't know Eric very well, or only know him superficially. I just smile, knowingly, because little do they know...

I'm the lucky one.

Happy Anniversary, Eric!

(Our 8th Anniversary)

Our Hero

You may have noticed that Ellis was in a firetruck in last week's photos. He had an exciting trip to visit a local fire station with his preschool class...but not before we had a little adventure en route!

We were several miles from home when I heard the dreadful "clunk-clunk" that told me one of my 3-day-old tires was flat. I pulled over and got out in a downpour to confirmed that yes, we had a flat tire. When I got back in the car and told the boys, Ellis immediately burst into tears and said, "So we're going to miss the fire station?" Knowing it was only a 30-minute tour, I said, "I'm afraid so, buddy...but let me see what we can do."

I called Eric, who packed up at the office 20 minutes away and came to our rescue. He gave us his car so that we could go on to the fire station, then he changed the tire in the pouring rain--wearing a suit, no less--so that he could take my car to get a new tire.

The boys and I got to the station just in time for Ellis and Oliver to get a personal tour. Ellis was sitting in the captain's seat when they got dispatched to a real fire. Talk about exciting stuff for a four-year-old!

The firemen are definitely heroes, but Daddy saved this day!

Ellis waiting in the car for Daddy

Silly boy marked on his face because he thought it would make him look like a fireman.

Oliver entertained himself by pushing every button in the car.

E-man wanted a picture with Finn McMissile. :)

Roadtrip

Sunday morning, we loaded everyone up in the car and set off for our annual road trip down south for the Baker Creek Spring Planting Festival. We've gone for the last four years, and now we've been when the weather felt like July (last year) and January. It was a bit chilly and raining at times, but we still had a great time. It's definitely our favorite trip of the year.

Ollie in the photo wall. This scene from last year still makes me chuckle.

Christmas Recap: The Lead-Up

I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. We had a really nice Christmas with our family--lots of good food, tons of presents, and just enough viral illness to keep everyone on their toes. We started our festivities on Christmas Eve Eve (the 23rd, in other words), and here are some of my favorite shots:

A Christmas tradition: family photos by the fireplace

I took about a dozen of these, and not one turned out. This is my favorite outtake, though.

Present opening

Cookware! I love it!

Yes, that's my foot. And genuine laughter.

Oliver and Great-Aunt Sheila playing in styrofoam packaging

You know what they say--the kids' favorite toys are boxes

Most moving Christmas moment: my mom opened a necklace my brother made her from some of the only items recovered from their house fire. It's a necklace made from remnants of my great-great-grandmother's silverware. The comic relief, of course, is that my stepfather beside her is obliviously tickled about his new coffee mugs. 

I think Logan even got a little choked up. He gives the most thoughtful gifts. And he's crafty to boot.  

Happy Halloween!

Ellis' "day costume" for the farmers market

Rocket Man!

Painting pumpkins

Sorting candy for trick-or-treaters

Candy: ready!

Are we ready yet?!

Rethinking the decision to put candy out on the table...

My "super" handsome guys!

Super family!

The Flash takes his job seriously

Playing with neighborhood kids before the parade

Pre-parade Flash 

Parade!

Collecting the loot!

Happy boy.

Happy Halloween.