Holiday Season Round 2

Once again a few months has gone by without posting. We finished up soccer season with a bang - Mulatu scored a goal and Nate played goalkeeper for several quarters with a few shutouts. They improved so much throughout the season and I love seeing how they grow as they encounter new experiences. Since I was off on Columbus Day, we took that opportunity to take some fall family pictures. Although they turned out well it was not always happy smiles in between shots (and even some during shots) but I loved it all the same. We had our first camping experience as a family in the backyard of a good friend. It was complete with smores around the campfire (which they both enjoy making but do not enjoy eating).
Halloween began our second year of celebrating holidays as a family. Building off of last year's experiences the boys know what to expect and are excited about it all. Nate decided on Thor as his costume of choice and Mulatu was Hulk. We carved pumpkins (or more like Grandpa carved pumpkins and we watched)...one that held the shape of Africa, one of Hulk, and one of Thor. We went to the fall festival at Grandma and Grandpa's church and enjoyed playing games and winning prizes. The boys came to my work on Halloween for a brief moment before we headed over to the Alltech Arena for a special time of trick or treating among all of the vendors. We followed that round of trick or treating with another round in the neighborhood. I believe they have enough candy to last them well into the future.
They had their doctor's follow up one year exam a couple weeks ago. They had some blood work done just to ensure that everything was good and everything came back great. Dr. Hambrick was very impressed with how much they had grown. As Nate says 'I'm a weed.' While waiting for the Doctor, I also pulled Nate's first tooth (seemed like a perfect way to spend the time waiting).
A couple weekends ago I decided it was time to ditch the training wheels - we had a couple nice days of weather so we capitalized and both of the boys picked up riding their bikes sans training wheels so well. I was so proud of them. We have begun basketball with Upward and practices seem to be going well. They play on different teams. They absolutely love it. The first game is December 1 and should be tons of fun. We put up the Christmas tree this past weekend which is the earliest I have ever put it up but they were so excited and so helpful I couldn't resist. Last night we went with some friends to deliver Thanksgiving baskets. I want them to develop a servant's heart early in life and this is one way of many that I feel helps them do that. We will spend Thanksgiving tomorrow celebrating with Grandma's side of the family. Friday we are headed for a one day trip to Dollywood to see the Christmas celebrations and shows that they have and ride a few rides. We are all looking forward to it.
I aim to have a thankful heart everyday of the year but as we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow as a family I will sit around the table knowing that I am truly blessed. My beautiful sons are thriving and loving life and I couldn't be happier to get to soak up these moments with them.