Here are Nana and Papa with their current brood (Linnea, Benjamin, Karin and Jasper). Baby boy Atkinson will be joining us in May!
Here are the puppies. We were told they spent the entire first night together racing around the house, chasing each other. Then they wore themselves out and got along well the rest of the visit.
The first night we arrived, Jasper immediately started playing with his cars with his cousins.
On Thanksgiving evening, we all enjoyed a good old fashioned game of pin the hat on the turkey. Some people kept the game above board. Others used a little slight of hand. We won't say who did what. Drew and I were both far, far from the poor turkey's head to even come close to winning the game. However, we did nearly put our hats directly on top of one another's. I guess 5 years is really starting to show on us.
Jasper waited his turn to play the game.
Linnea read this entire book to Jasper. It is a favorite for both of them.
Benjamin was well-bathed while we were in Michigan. Nana loved giving him a bath, mainly because he loves baths so much that he is nearly grinning ear to ear the entire time. Who wouldn't want to take part in that? Jasper, Papa and Auntie Lindsay all got in on the gig at one point over the visit.
All the Shively women got some good baby time on this visit. Auntie Brittany was often found carrying and cuddling the littlest guy. It doesn't take too long being removed from having a little one to make you greatly enjoy this cuddling time. Benjamin has quite a strong neck, so sometimes when I've held him for a long time during the day my own neck is tired from him straining against me - either to cuddle or try and look around or from rooting into my cheek. He can be quite demonstrative when he wants to be.
This swing really helped us out during the visit and allowed us to enjoy a full Thanksgiving meal and a birthday party meal together. Benjmain slept peacefully in the swing while we ate and then, right on cue, woke up as we were finishing. He knew what was up!
The first thing Linnea wanted to do when she got up the first morning was hold Benjamin. The girls loved spending time holding him, and they each did a wonderful job! I think Linnea for sure is going to make a great babysitter!
A craft is often part of the Thanksgiving weekend activities, and this year was no exception. Linnea got the idea to make traditional Swedish candy wrapper gifts for all her classmates. She saw it in a book Nana read to her (I think that's how this came about). So, the night before the Shivelys were pulling out, it was all hands on deck to get this crafty creations all done. Look at that fringe! It really was such a sweet idea, and this shows just the kind of girl Linnea is - soooo sweet!
Nana and Papa got Jasper this cool Tonka book that has 5 stories in it. They are "If I could driver a ... (1) bulldozer, (2) front end loader, (3) dump truck, (4) fire truck and (5) tow truck." It's pretty cute. Of course, even if it wasn't just the fact that it has all those trucks in it would be enough for Jasper to want to read it over and over again. But actually, I think it's a great imaginative book for him. Each story stars with a boy or girl playing with a truck and then imagining what he'd/she'd do if he/she could drive a real truck. One night last week I told Jasper we would read two stories from the Tonka book before bed. We red two, and then he turned the page to read a third and just barely glanced up at me as if to indicate, "I know she just said two, but I wonder if she'll notice and go ahead and read me a third." I did. :)
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