It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Tonight Maverick and I headed to the first Parade of Lights in Vermillion. Although the parade only lasted about 10 minutes, it was fun to get out. It was a great night. It was cold, but there was no wind which makes all the difference in SD! After the parade, we headed to the library to make a stocking. Well, I made the stocking. Maverick helped by throwing our scraps away. Here's Maverick showcasing our work. Please excuse the pacifier; it was late and past bedtime!!
My marshmallow of a son and Santa!! Maverick wasn't scared at all. At this point, he was very toasty, and I think he could have fell asleep on Santa's lap. He did say "Bye" though.

Here's one of the trucks decorated for the parade. After the parade, they lit the city Christmas tree which was nice. I'm going to miss Vermillion and the small town feeling. It's been a great place to live and start our family.

Maverick was bundled up in his snow pants, marshmallow coat, and ovenmit mittens.

And, Jesse is returning tonight after being on the road for interviews and an externship for 3 weeks. Can't wait to have him home!!

Fun at the Farm!

Maverick and I loaded up on Friday and headed to the farm. The idea of spending the entire weekend in Vermillion alone did not seem like a good one. A better idea seemed like heading out and getting spoiled! Maverick LOVES the cows. He got to go out with grandpa Jerry and feed them their cubes. It's amazing how tame these cows are.
Maverick tried to hand feed one, but of course he grabbed a cube that was about 1 inch long. I think, actually I know, I was more scared of the cows than he was. There's just something about having an 800 pound animal feet away.

The cows are very curious about this little boy, especially the boy in the RED hat! Can anyone say, "Charge!" No fear. Luckily, the cows just want their cubes.

Silly ducks. The heater was turned on in the garage, so Maverick and grandpa played and played which included putting plastic bowls on their heads as hats. Maverick is quite a character; takes one to know one.

Our little devil. Maverick found this in grandma's storage of toys. I think it belonged to his cousin Cristian. Once he finds something he likes, he won't let go.

Home Sweet Home!

After 6 weeks on the road, Maverick is finally home! He had a great time staying with his family in Michigan, or so I think at least. We got home late last Friday night and he was so excited to see his toys. He just had to go around and touch all of them. When he went to daycare on Monday, he went around and patted all of his friends. Throughout the day, he went up to the daycare lady at least 20 times and said "Hi." Like, "Do you remember me?" He was very happy to see his buddies!

Maverick is just turning into such a little boy.

We found a backhoe (or as Maverick says, backpoe) on Saturday on our trip to Hy-Vee and just had to stop. Maverick loves tractors and big machinery. Can't wait for our trip next week to the farm so he can see grandpa Jerry's tractors!

Maverick is the next skater boy. He absolutely loved teetering on this thing. His reflexes and balance are pretty impressive for a kid who isn't even 2. They're better than mine which isn't saying much.

And, he loved the cozy coupe. It was the best when someone could just push him around and he could hang!

Maverick as tigger for Halloween. He went to a wildlife preserve for trick-or-treating. They got to see some pretty cool animals.

Jesse is back on the road. He left Sunday morning for a week of interviews. He'll then head to Grand Rapids, MI for a 2-week rotation. We miss him lots, but know the time will pass quickly!

Fun in Michigan

Wow, I have no idea where the month of October went! We made a trip to Minneapolis for our friend Ryan's wedding before packing up and heading to Chicago for Jesse's test and then to Michigan for Jesse's externship at the Kalamazoo hospital. Everyone says they have a hard time keeping track of our schedule, well, I do to! I came back to SD alone after spending just over a week in MI. Maverick and Jesse will be staying out there for 2 more weeks before I return. We will then come home, and Jesse will stay home for 1 night before heading out for interviews and another 2 week externship in Grand Rapids. Luckily, he'll be home mid-December with time to spare before the new baby arrives!! Maverick is finally big enough to sport his bomber jacket he got from uncle Jeff more than a year ago. I'm not sure how the red tasseled hat fits into the picture, but he needs something to keep his ears warm!
Maverick and uncle Seth enjoying the music.

Our family.

We had a group family picture taken, and we wore green, obviously. Maverick was so good for the pictures.

Jesse loving Beatles Rock band. Even if no one would play with him, he'd be a one-man band.

Maverick was often the drummer.

Every time I watch this video, I about die! Jesse's mom had recently pledged her wood floors which made them SO slippery for Maverick's pj's. As soon as he would walk into one of the bedrooms, he would bif it. So, we decided to slide him across the floor. At first, his head was getting caught up, and Jesse suggested we put a wash cloth under it to keep it from sticking. I had a better idea to use his winter hat, and boy, did it work well! Maverick had an awesome time!

Is it a Sign??

Peyton Manning Children's Hospital at St.Vincent in Indianapolis, Indiana. I do love Peyton.

Day at Garrity's

Yesterday, we made our annual trip to Garrity's the local apple orchard and pumpkin patch. Luckily it's a quick trip because it was chilly!! Maverick had 2 coats on. Oh, and we had our first "Where's Maverick" scare. Usually, we turn around, and he's somewhere within sight. However, we turned around and he was missing. We found him within a minute in the hay bale maze. As we always say, Maverick has no fear of being lost what-so-ever. That is why we will definitely be getting a fenced-in yard when we move...maybe even electric! Anyways, here are the pics from our day out. Maverick as a big pumpkin. The family. We had a picture taken here last year, so it's neat to compare. And, yes, before anyone asks, I am 25 weeks pregnant. Come look at the scale, it's really there!!

A much warmer day a year ago. Maverick has really turned into a little boy.

We brought home Regent and Honeycrisp apples along with homemade apple cider. Oh, so good!

Maverick on the hay bale.

Dad and Maverick enjoying an apple. We like Regent the best.

More for the pickin'. It's the most fun to pick your own apples.

Maverick and the goats. He wouldn't pet them though.

Next Stop: South Illinois University in Springfield!!