Cornhead

We flew from Iowa to Florida today for part II of our holiday vacation. We got to the airport a bit early and had to spend several hours hanging out in Des Moines International Airport.

I've spent many hours in this airport over the years, and I have appreciated this cornhead gag-gift many times in years past. Annabel found it yesterday and couldn't resist trying it on.

Somewhere there is a picture of Kristin wearing it that I took many years ago. I'll have to dig that up someday.

UPDATE: I just ran accross the old picture while organizing some photos. This is it and it was taken in March of 1999. Clearly not much has changed in 7 years. Note that they have the same display rack behind the display with the same merchandise in there...

:)
 

Christmas Toynado!

Christmas in Iowa. This is Annabel's second, Gaby's first, my 14th and Kristin's 35th.

We flew in on Christmas eve and didn't get home until after 11. Gabby was up all night, and so were we. Next time we're going to come a few days early to make for an easier adjustment.

we had told Annabel all about Santa, but she was so tired when she woke up, she forgot that she was supposed to get presents!

She figured it out pretty quickly though and the day descended into a sort of atavistic toy orgy. Annabel had a great time playing with her cousins, Mary and Abby. They dressed up, played with toys, played hide and seek, performed play-surgery on a very sick little puppy, and filled a play-house with decorative glass beads that they took from the candle display. A great time was had by all.

We had a great Christmas dinner at Roger and Shiela's house.

Then today we went to Kristin's dad's place where Annabel tried on the leather hat he recently got in Australia, and then we came back to Kristin's mom's place for a Christmas party.

Bunnies and Squirrels Are My Favorite!

We watched the classic Rudolph the Red Nosed reindeer TV special tonight.

There is a scene in the snow where Rudolph is walking Clarise, a cute little girl-reindeer, home from school. They are surrounded by woodland animals including raccoons and bunnies and birdies who serenade them with "There's always tomorrow", a happy song about rainbows.

Annabel turned to me and said

"Oh! The bunnies and the Squirrels are my favorite! I want to hold them in my hand because they are my families. They are so cute!"

I think they really made an impression...

Annabel's first night in her big bed

Annabel had many firsts this week-end. her nana's 60th birthday......a first. built her first snowman, and slept in a big bed for the first time. wow what a week-end.

Nanna's 60th Birthday Party

It was Nanna's 60th birthday this weekend. Kristin, Rick and I set up a scavenger hunt for Annabel and her. It was 6 clues and it took them all around West Bloomfield to the various places we went with my mom as kids. At each place there was a little bag with balloons, presents and the next clue.

The 6th clue took her to the fox and hounds restaurant where we had a surprise party waiting for her.

Kristin and Rick did most of the prep work. I drove the car for them and shot pictures of the two of them at each clue.

I had a great time, and I think they did too.

 

On Nana's 60th Birthday

Annabel and Nanna getting ready to head outside to build Annabel's very first snowman!