The Holiday Season

I don't admit to liking much about the time of year when you have to wear coats and hats and mittens, but I do appreciate that every few weeks there seems to be a holiday to celebrate.

We wrapped up fall by celebrating Halloween.  Wes actually went trick-or-treating three separate times!  We told ourselves he was just catching up for previous 2 years when we did not take him out for Halloween...and also Sean and I are particularly fond of Snickers bars.  

We introduced him to trick-or-treating at Normal West High School where I used to teach.  Students dress up and hand out treats from the doors of the classrooms.  Wes was an adorably bashful Lion who occasionally would whisper "trick treat" as he held out his bag and signed "thank you" after receiving his treat.

We continued celebrating the following weekend in Lexington, IL with some friends and their son Gabe who is Wes' same age.  Gabe and Wes made an adorable duo but were both exhausted by the end of the walk around the block.  

Finally we took Wes around our block with his neighbor buddies on Halloween night.  By this time, Wes had figured out the idea of trick-or-treating and had a blast, regardless of the cold rain that fell by the end of the night.  

Thanksgiving week brought some time off from work for family members and neighbors which translated to a lot of available playmates.  Wes and his buddy Ben made sure to have fun whenever they were together.

Did they call each other before they got dressed?

Many members of Sean's family came to visit for Thanksgiving, traveling as far as Omaha and Indianapolis.

From left: Crystal, Sean, Kennedy, Tim, Brandon (and Buddy!) Jenny, Zoey, Kristy, Wes

Kennedy gives Wes his first piano lesson.

Zoey and puppy

Peek-a-Boo Grandma

A week or so before Christmas, we got our first legitimate snowfall.  By 9 A.M. the whole neighborhood was out to play!

The arrival of Christmas week brought visits from family members as well as a lot of delicious meals. This was the first year Wes understood the idea of a present, although we admittedly didn't put forth much effort in explaining Santa.  Wrapping paper and new toys proved to be fun but a bit overwhelming for a two year old.  It seemed that Wes enjoyed his time with family members the most.  

Mullins' Men Selfie

Mischief with Uncle Brian

Helping Dad and Grandpa install a new light fixture for the fan.

Playing with lots of big wheels at the Caterpillar Visitors Center in Peoria.

Helping Dad take down Christmas lights on a warm day.

Keeping in shape for summer with a special trip out
with Mom and Dad.