thefrinkydinks everyday: November 2008

Santa & Sumner Bridge Lighting

Friday Evening, 11-28-08
Darin put up our house lights that afternoon and then at 2:30pm we headed down to The Old Cannery to see Santa and watch the bridge lighting and fireworks. We hadn't done this before. Usually we have Dennis and Myrna over for leftovers, but since we went to their house for Thanksgiving we had the evening free.

Elissa was so excited to see Santa and knew exactly what she was going to tell him. We weren't sure how Zach was going to be with Santa this year......

Poor guy.....he doesn't like Santa.

Elissa is telling Santa that she wants a princess barbie house with lots of princesses and that Zach wants a superman car (she just decided that he would want this).

We went to the coffee shop next door and they had a gal singing Christmas songs. She invited the little girls up to help her sing and Elissa jumped at the chance. She loves being the center of attention. She was so cute up there!

I had a hard time getting her off the stage.

Outside was a train that usually takes people on rides, but today it was just for looks.

Zach just couldn't understand why he couldn't get on and take a ride. I felt so bad for him. :o(

So sweet!!

Wow, there were a lot of people.

Trying to keep Zach happy and patient.

Yeah, the bridge is lighted!

Now, the fireworks!! Zach was scared at first, but then Daddy held him and he was ok to watch them. It was a really good show.

We had so much fun!

We were going to go to dinner on the way home, but Zach fell asleep as soon as we started driving. We picked up a take-n-bake and then Elissa fell asleep the rest of the way home.

Our house lights. Darin risked life and limb this year to put the 2nd story lights up. We have a shingle slippery roof so he hasn't put them on in the past. This year he made his own "track shoes" - he drilled screws into an old pair of sandals for traction. It looks so nice.

Ready for bed in his new Christmas PJs from Grandma

Sooo tired - watching Ice Age2 - waiting for the pizza to get done.

We had a VERY long day, but it was so fun.

Black Friday Morning

Friday, 11-28-08
Usually mom and I get up and go shopping together, but this year we didn't see a lot of things that we needed so we decided not to go. Walmart was having a great deal on gaming chairs that I wanted to get for Kirstin's kids, so I decided I would just get up and run to Walmart. Elissa said that she wanted to go and that I needed to wake her up to go with me. I told her that it was going to be really early and Darin tried to tempt her with getting doughnuts in the morning but she just told Darin to save one for her because she wanted to go with me. Of course my sweet boy was up at 4:30am - I don't need an alarm clock with Zach - and I tried to coax him to go back to bed. That didn't work so Darin brought him to bed with him as I got ready to go. I went and got Elissa up and dressed and then as we are getting our shoes on Darin and Zach come downstairs dressed. Darin decided since he was up that him and Zach would run to GI Joe's for some things. Yep, this Black Friday was a family affair. So Elissa and I went to Walmart and Zach and Darin went to Joe's. Crazy!

This is AM!

Daddy and Zach came down to join the fun!

We are ready to head out....I'm already tired.....

Elissa and I got to the Bonney Lake Walmart about 10 mintues after 5am and the parking lot, which is huge, was COMPLETELY full. I had to drive up and down the rows to find a space and people were already coming out with their purchases. We got into Walmart and it was a complete mad house. I do Black Friday every year, but I always stay away from Walmart and now I know for good reason. The electronics and toy area was completely unpassable. The carts were at a stand still as Elissa and I are trying to weave in and around them to find the Vrocker chairs. I was ready to leave after just a few mintues. I asked an employee if she knew where the chairs were and a customer told me they were down further. I made my way down there and it was out of the chaos area so I decided to try and get them. All the carts were taken, so I was dragging these two big boxes down the aisle and telling Elissa to keep a hold of me. I thankfully ran into an empty cart and a woman helped me get the chairs in the cart. I wanted to look at several other things there too, but it was back in the mad house area and I wasn't going to go back there. It actually only took me about 10 mintues to check out and then we got out of there. You have not experienced Black Friday until you have gone to Walmart. Insane!

Here we are with our purchases.

Then we promptly headed to Starbucks for coffee, chocolate milk and a doughnut. I called Darin while we were waiting and he and Zach had gotten the items we wanted at Joe's and they were waiting for Home Depot to open to get a ladder. Elissa and I went across the street to Target and promptly drove on by as we saw the line was down and around the building to get in. So we headed to Fred Meyer for 1/2 price socks and BOGO free games. I called mom on our way home and I think she was a bit sad that she hadn't gone with us. This was the first time in years that she hadn't gone out. She said that she was not going to be left behind next year! :0) We got home just after 7am and the boys were already there. At 8:30am we were all taking naps!

Thanksgiving 2008

Thursday, 11-27-08
Since we have been married, we have went to Chad and Holly's for Thanksgiving. Last year we decided that we would start going to their house every other year so we would go to Dennis & Myrna's some years. So this year we went to Dennis & Myrna's, but first we had breakfast at our house for Darin's mom and my parents. Patty kept the kids last night while Darin and I went on a date and saw "Four Christmases" (very funny), so we got to get ready for breakfast with no kiddos running around....nice! I made overnight french toast and pumpkin waffles with apple cider syrup. It turned out really good. We had a nice breakfast.

Nana (Patty) Darin's Mom

Papa (Glenn) my Dad, Nana, Grandma (Nancy) my Mom

Grandma & Lissy dancing

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Thanksgiving Dinner~

The guys watching football.

Darin, Grandpa Frink (Dennis) Darin's Dad, Lyle (Myrna's Dad)

The kids entertaining themselves in front of the football game.

Getting dinner ready.

Fran (Myrna's mom) and Mary (Myrna's sister-in-law)

Lissy with her baby Cindy.

The doll is a little scary. :0)

Dinner was soooo good. We were totally stuffed after dinner, but of course we had to stuff some more in for dessert. It was a really nice evening.

Zach is getting really tired. It is very obvious when he starts attacking me. His favorite thing is to twist his fingers in my hair VERY aggressively.

Owww Zach!

Elissa and Mary talking.

"Mom, I'm really ready to go..."

Picking up the toys...

Cute girl!

We are truly blessed with a wonderful family!

Zach, Be nice to your sister!

Wednesday, 11-26-08

I'm no longer having to tell Elissa to be gentle with Zach, but for Zach to be be gentle with Elissa. He is such an instigator these days. He'll just come up to her and pull her hair or hit her or tackle her. Today he decided to tackle her and they had a little wrestling match.

She is yelling for help, but is laughing too.

Zach loves this!

He's a good wrestler.

He won't let up...

Elissa finally gets him off!

The fun is just beginning. :0)

Preschool Harvest Party

Monday, 11-24-08

I helped out in Elissa's classroom today for their harvest party. I love going in once in a while and seeing her interact, but I'm definately not the patient teacher type. :0)

She is making a girl pilgrim. She also made a bonnet for herself and a scene of a cabin and a teepee made out of popsicle sticks. I helped the kids with the bonnet craft.