Turkey for you...turkey for me...

We had a great Thanksgiving in Toledo with Jason's parents, friends, neighbors, and the great grandparents! Lots of food, eaten. Lots of drinks, drank. Lots of fun, had.

One little, two little, three little Indians...

Hanging with Lydia in Bruce and Lynn's backyard...

Turkey bowl! Toddler style.

Love this action shot!

And what's a trip to Toledo without stopping for cookies at Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Z's!?!?

   

Emerson became well acquainted with Angry Birds! Courtesy of Mimmy and her new tablet.

And the rest of the weekend was spent decorating!
Is there some way we can incorporate 4-day weekends once a month?

The Linebergers take Naples

Naples is one of our favorite places in the world. My parents bought their condo there 10 years ago. Lots of trips down there in those 10 years, and lots of memories from each trip. Most of us have been there a couple times each year. Emerson has been to Naples three times in as many years. And Dad is spending a few weeks most months there. Of course, this was our first trip without Mia.


We planned this trip shortly after Mom's death, and made sure everyone could go. We left the day after Jessica's 33rd birthday, and were there for my 31st birthday. A wonderful trip, all around. Great weather. Good food. Lots of fun, including ocean kayaking! If Emerson was awake, Emerson was swimming. Pool. Ocean. Then pool again.
 
Another Naples trip, for the memory books. Although we were short one Lineberger.

The morning we arrived, I think we spent 5 minutes at the house before heading to the beach.

Everyone.

  

Doesn't everyone with they could be this cool?

"I love you, sand."

This is where I'd like to be.

Girls' brunch at the Ritz. Something we talked about, but never had the chance to do with Mia.

One side of the table at Randy's, one of our favorite Naples eateries.

A little quality time with the Auntie.

Jared trying to sleep, Emerson enjoying cartoons, and pestering Uncle Jayed!

One of many!

A beautiful sunset on our last night...



Unexpected Springtime in November

When there's a Sunday in November where the temperature is close to 70 degrees and the sun is shining, we take full advantage! We loaded up the bikes and headed to Hoover Reservoir for a long ride. And then spent some time at one of our neighborhood parks. It was one of those days, where you can just lay back in the grass, close your eyes, and nearly fall asleep. Since then, Ohio has turned cold, cloudy, and gray. With some travels coming up, we'll be stockpiling Vitamin D before the holidays...and I plan to hold onto every tiny bit of that tan as long as I can!

Call me Ishmael. No, call me Beckham!

Emerson went bowling for the first time this past summer while we were in Hilton Head. He loved it, so we knew we had to go when our friends and neighbors asked us to join them last weekend! They have three kids, including two boys that are older than Emerson, but they all play together well!

When it wasn't his turn, he would stand down by the ball return and wait patiently.

Luke, Noah and Emerson --- what a great picture!

Our Saturday mornings have been filled with a new activity...Locker Soccer! Indoor soccer, designed to teach kids the fundamentals, is perfect for Emerson's age. We have lots of time ahead for outdoor team soccer. This is a great introduction, without the rain and cold, and a fun way to spend our Saturdays, with Dunkin' Donuts coffee and munchkins of course.

Taking attendance...(That's Will from school on Emerson's left. They were so happy to see each other!)

Stretching with Coach Amanda

  

Having a ball!



Wrapping up "PumpkinTime" (aka Halloween)

I figured I needed to wrap up one holiday on the blog before we moved on to the next! Emerson continued his love for all things Spiderman through Halloween. He loves his costume, and although wearing it since August, he never tired of it. I picked it up after Halloween last year, thinking he may or may not like it, and just wear it for dress-up once it fit. Well, he loved it, obviously, and it became one of his normal outfits at home.

I'm not the biggest fan of Halloween. I don't really get into scary stuff, and I don't really like candy all that much. I love all things pumpkin --- patch, picking, carving, roasting seeds, etc. I prefer the fall season by far over Halloween. But I love how much the kids love Halloween. And it turns out, Emerson loves the roasted seeds of the pumpkin. I make them two ways...salty, and sweet. Both turned out great this year!

Face painting at school...his choice is obvious.

Emerson and his adorable, and amazing, teacher, Emily.

Spiderman and two of his best buddies, Will the Fireman, and Colonel Beckett Sander. It doesn't get much better than that! The kids didn't really get it, but the adults loved it!

Beggars' Night Eve...time to carve! Auntie Jessi joined us!

Displaying our artistic talents...

The next night...before treating...

Poppy joined us for Trick-or-Treat!