Fire trucks and Christmas

Yesterday we went to an open house at a place that houses one of Elias' current favorite things....FIRE TRUCKS! The Eno River Fire Station had two fire trucks in their garage open for kids to climb in, a bouncy house, Sparky the fire mascot and free lunch. We had so much fun! Grandma was there and Daddy's ranger friend, Billy and his daughter joined us. Click HERE to see the album of pictures.
And since Walmart already has Christmas decor up and there is Christmas music playing on the radio, I thought it was time to post a Christmas wish list for Elias. I made the list through amazon.com, but you can find these items anywhere.

I also made a list of a few things for me, if you feel so inclined!

It might help to coordinate holiday gift giving between the SEVEN grandparents that Elias is proud to call his own! Let me know if something in particular interests you and I will take it off the list. However, please know that Elias (and his mommy and daddy) are quite content to receive nothing but your company during the holidays. Hugs and kisses make great gifts (and don't take up any space in his room)!

Since I last blogged...

...and I mean REALLY blogged, the following things have happened in our lives:
1. Elias got to ride on the REAL Thomas the Train at the NC Transportation Museum. This was the beginning of the love affair with Thomas...we are all about trains, construction vehicles, basically anything with wheels!


2. I attended my 10 year high school reunion and spent time with one of my oldest friends (we've known each other since kindergarten), Amanda!


3. Elias has been entertaining us with talking and singing on a regular basis. He is quick to observe a passing airplane or spot a school bus. He is so engaged in the world right now! Just last night, he started singing "Hokey Pokey" which we did not even know he knew!
4. Christopher and I celebrated 6 years of marriage with a quick trip to Asheville. We stayed at the Carolina Inn and ate at a French-meets-the South-place called "Bouchon."

5. We have spent a lot of time enjoying the great weather...from a camping trip in early October to afternoons and evenings on our swingset. Elias prefers swinging over sliding these days and constantly tells us to go "too faster!"

6. We celebrated Halloween by attending an event called "Hallow-Eno" at West Point on the Eno city park. Elias went as...what else...Thomas the train and Daddy accompanied him as Sir Topham Hat. Click on their picture to see all our Halloween fun!

7. We celebrated the election of a new president with a visit from our friend, Guy.


8. Christopher has been gathering gear for his BIG trip rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. He flies to Arizona on the day after Thanksgiving for three weeks on the trip of a lifetime!

9. We attended a football game at Duke, compliments of a Duke Children's event that gave me free tickets. Brian, Katie and Taylor Grace came up and we had fun, as usual, keeping two children occupied. There was ice cream and an inflatable bouncy house there...so that helped. Until Elias realized we have to wait in a LONG line and could only go once. That did not go over well and so we decided we were done with the football game...

Click on the picture below to see all the pictures from this past weekend.

Here is a fun video of Taylor Grace and Elias together...good times!

10. At three months shy of his third birthday, my son's feet are half my size!

Don't vote...

This video is great, but not for little ears...