Another Thanksgiving has come and gone. Our 4th with Q-Bug! We spent Thanksgiving Day at Paula's and she cooked yet another awesome dinner. The weather didn't cooperate with us this year, so we spent most of our time inside. It was nice to see Bob and Teresa, and to have Quinn interact with them again. It's not terribly often we get to hang out with them, but I keep promising myself to talk to Kirch to see when we can go to Delaware for a weekend and really spend some quality time with them!

I think the highlight of the evening was when Quinn put on an old "The Name" t-shirt and modeled it for everyone to see. Check it out for yourself!

I rock! I know it!

I'm thankful for my Mommy! Oh, and my new outfit...

On Saturday we got up early and headed to Grandpa and Dorothy's to begin yet another feast fest. The beef tenderloin was outstanding as usual and this year there were not many leftovers leftover! The weather was better so we were able to get outside a little and enjoy the crisp cold fall day.

Woah, that's quite a view, Daddy!

Uncle Mike, you're so silly!

I was another wonderful holiday with the Kircher family. I guess now is as good a time as any to say that I'm very thankful for the people that surround me in my life!

A Visit To See Santa

I am a big believer in going to see Santa VERY early in the season. I don't know how parents have the patience, especially with even more impatient children, to stand in line to see Santa Clause just days before Christmas. This year I took Quinn to Columbia Mall to sit on Santa's lap. There was no line and it was a beautiful sight! They had a Naughty-Nice Meter, a mailbox that blew out snow (bubbles) when opened and the letter dropped in, and the Grand Finale - Santa Clause. Quinn loves Santa Clause - she isn't the least bit scared (which is more than I can say for myself when I was her age), which makes it a delight to see and snap some pictures while she rattles off her list to the man in red. This year she asked for a pair of roller skates with a helmet and a fishing pole. Santa busted out laughing when he heard that one! His exact quote was, "This girl wants a fishing pole for Christmas!" I had to explain to him that Daddy is a fisherman and she's been looking forward to going with him!

Santa believes in me? Whew!

We had a good day together - after visiting Columbia Mall, we headed over to Arundel Mills Mall and had lunch, took pictures in one of those silly booths, and watched the huge fish swim in the Bass Pro Shops fish tank. All done a week before Thanksgiving!

We mus ALWAYS stop at the Disney Store!

Love the Holiday outfit!

Quinn-isms

So we were at Paula's yesterday for Thanksgiving (I'll blog about that when the weekend is over and the traveling is through) and Matt was holding a wine corkscrew when Quinn came over to him and asked him what it was and what it was for. The following conversation ensued:

Quinn: "What's that?"
Matt: "It's a corkscrew."
Quinn: "What's it for?"
Matt: "You pull the cork out of a wine bottle with it."
Quinn: "Matt, will you hurt yourself with that?"
Matt: "No."
Quinn: "Well I would!"

Tonight Kirch and I were sitting down to eat our Subway subs when Quinn came running into the living room and proceeded to put a hand under each foot and then try to stand up while stepping on her hands. Kirch and I looked at each other, perplexed, and this was the following short conversation:

Kirch: "Quinn, what are you doing?
Quinn: "I'm trying to pick myself up!!!"

I can't be THAT heavy!!!

I swear, these never ever get old. I only wish I could remember all of them!

Coach Quinn

Quinn and I took advantage of the beautiful weather this weekend and hit two different playgrounds in two days. On Saturday, after dance class and tennis lessons, we went to the Kentlands and played on the swings (her favorite) and the jungle gym before heading to the outside flea market to peruse the booths. It was beautiful out!

Yessss! This is so cool!

Seesaws are fun too!

On Sunday, we hit a playground in Germantown. I was pushing her on the swing, and she was really crankin'. She was loving going so high! She kept saying, "I'm going high on the Earth!" She said she wanted to go into outer space, so I asked her if she wanted to be an astronaut. After I explained what an astronaut was, she thought about it and said, "Mommy, if I go into space I would be lost from you. I don't want to do that, I just want to grow up and coach tennis with my daddy." There you have it - I guess we have our next tennis coach in the making!

Ooooh, this sun is brutal!

Crazy, static-y hair!

Another Quinn-ism

Really quick, I promise!

This morning after Quinn got herself dressed, she came up to me wearing a new (hand-me-down) shirt where the sleeves are a bit long on her. She politely asked me, "Mommy, will you please roll up my sleeves because they are driving me nervous!"

LOVE IT!!!

Putt Putt Playdate

What a beautiful day for our final playdate. Yesterday we joined the Fernandezes and the Perruses for a round of mini golf in Gaithersburg. It was a perfect day to let little kids run around with iron putters and golf balls and hope for the best! Quinn is quite a sports fan - she took pretty good direction and tried her hardest to sink her ball hole after hole.

Watch this Eagle, Mommy...

Daddy is even in on the action!

There is NO way Mommy will make this shot!

After the game was over, since it was the last day before the course closed, all of the kids got popsicles and we called it a day. This is a great tradition Donna Scheleur started 2 years ago and I look forward to next year's adventures!

What a great way to end the Playdate Season!

Another Trip to Michigan

In September just Quinn and I headed back to Michigan one more time...

The reason was actually for me to go to a fundraiser for an old friend of mine I grew up with - his 6 year old son has Autism. That night, an adult night only, was a blast. But the time I spent with Quinn was as much fun. Poppy and Manka enjoyed their time with her, too!

I love my Poppy and Manka!

We spent time at a new park on Taft Rd, just a 10 minute walk from the house, we saw Brenda, Carrie and the kids, we hung out with Uncle Swany and Aunt Jessica, and Pop and Laurie got some time alone with her, too. We had good weather, and we are already looking forward to Christmas time!

"Digging" the new park!!!

If I were any cuter, your eyes would hurt...

This picture just screams Pippy Longstocking!