Windy City

We made the long (long) trek to the suburbs of Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with our friends the Booths last week. It was so much fun getting to hang out and catch up for a few days. Lincoln and Taylor fought a lot (as almost two year olds are want to do,) but they also had a lot of fun running around together.

 

Tiffany and I attempted our first turkey for Thanksgiving. We were cautiously optimistic when it went into the oven and really excited when it came out. It smelled great and looked crispy and brown. We proclaimed a premature success. After the resting period, however, we need to flip the bird over, since the recipe had asked us to cook it breast down. We made quite a mess flipping it only to discover the underside did not look nearly as crispy or brown. In the end we determined the turkey may not have been totally thawed, so it didn’t cook all the way through in the allotted time. After some additional time in the oven it was quite good.

                                             

Here are the boys “watching” the kids while we cooked.

 

Tiffany’s beautiful table setting and the kids table.

                                                                                           

                                                                                        

Tiffany and I went shopping early on Black Friday with one of her friends there. We had so much fun and got a lot of great deals. We were totally out of it the rest of the day, though.

Lincoln and Taylor coloring (in between stealing crayons from each other.)

We went into Downer’s Grove for some Christmas activities that afternoon. We missed story time with the Elves, but we got to see the big tree lit up and we ate some mini donuts. It was cold, but a lot of fun.

                                             

The next morning Tiffany was nice enough to watch Lincoln so Jonathan and I could go into the city by ourselves. We had to hurry, though, because there were important football games Jonathan had to rush back and watch. Since we only had a few hours we just went to the top of the Tower formally known as the Sears Tower and got a hot dog. Chicago seemed like a really nice city and we’d like to go back when it’s warmer (and not football season) so we can look around some more. Thanks, Booths, for letting us come visit!

                                                                                                           

                                                                                                  

Marathon Pray-er

Our daily prayers have recently quadrupled. Lincoln started kneeling when we pray and now he wants to say prayers all the time. It’s been good, though, because when you’re saying 20 plus prayers a day you really have to think about everything you’re thankful for, not just the usual stuff.

I feel like I’m forgetting something…

Houston

This week we went on a whirlwind trip to Houston to see these two get married. It was a really quick trip, but it was great to see all of Jonathan’s family and the wedding was really fun!

While there Lincoln met his great-grandparents for the first time and we snagged a picture of four generations of Jones men.

                                                                                        

The Houston temple was really beautiful and since we had some waiting time I messed around with my camera a little bit. I was really excited about this sunburst photo, until I looked at it on the computer and saw the sun spots. Boo.

                                                                                               

We also got to meet Lincoln’s little cousin, Macey, for the first time in Houston and, boy, is she cute! Lincoln liked looking at her and sometimes laying on the blanket next to her, but what he really loved was playing with her dad.

                                                                                            

It was a really busy couple of days for Lincoln with lots of excitement, limited naps, and late nights, but we had a lot of fun and we got a great new sister-in-law/aunt out of the deal. Congratulations, again, Benjamin and Crystal!

Shaken, Not Stirred

Lincoln put on his superspy disguise this Halloween and hit the town as the always dapper James Bond.

Every year the Greek houses at Cornell put on a trick-or-treat trail around campus. Lincoln and his friend Graham charmed all the sorority girls as they collected their candy, then met up with their friend, Norah, to finish the trail.

                                               

That evening we headed over to the Church for our Halloween activity. Lincoln tied for the prize of most original costume and we didn’t get any soup on his tux. The evening was a smashing success!

The next morning Lincoln got up and went straight for his candy bucket. He definitely did not forget what was in there. It’s now hidden away in the cupboard.