"Nowy day"

As much as mommy truly dislikes the snow, it is safe to say that Trent has really enjoyed all of this snow. He begs to go outside in his new "nopants" and "glubs" so he can "pay in da no!" Good thing Daddy does not mind taking him out. Mommy is pretty good at taking quick pictures so she can hurry back inside where it's warm and not windy!

Sledding has been a favorite activity these last couple weeks too!

Notice the red "glubs?" Sometimes they are even worn indoors as well. Just like the boots- they have become part of the necessary attire inside and outside on snow days!

"Outtide? Outtide??" Mommy can never get ready quick enough when Trent is ready to go outside!

I think there will be more of these "nowy" days to come!

This weekend we so were busy with holiday preparations and activities. Saturday was spent bustling around Bloomington with Nana, Uncle Lyndall and Mommy tyring to do some Christmas shopping. Sunday was a fun filled afternoon of horse and carriage rides, looking at lots of Christmas trees and eating Christmas cookies.

Here we are just before our horse and carriage ride through suburbia Saybrook! Uncle Lyndall, Aunt Sara, Mommy and Trent all rode together!

After our ride around town, we went back inside where is was warm and enjoyed sugar cookies with icing and Christmas sprinkles!

Yum!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving day was spent at Grandma and Grandpa Wetherell's house. We ate lots of turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls and dessert. Trent even got to open an early Christmas present. Trent loved the opening part, but was very confused when he couldn't open what he thought was a book about trains! The advent calendar is going to take a little explaining.

After a yummy lunch and presents Trent and his cousins decorated Grandma's famouse sugar Christmas cookies. I think the sprinkles were Trent's favorite part. No need to shake the bottle, just hold and pour until all the sprinkles have completely covered one half of the cookie!

Lots of people wanted to help decorate- Grandma, Daddy, Aunt Nicky, and Grandpa let Trent lick the yellow icing off the plastic knife! - "Just experiencing new things!"

Mommy and Daddy picked up new jammies for Trent when they went Christmas shopping the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Mommy wanted pictures of Trent in his new jammies. Trent wanted Elmo to be a part of the pictures too!

The countdown to Christmas has begun!

Opening Weekend

Dad was feeling a little left out from the Blog, so Trent and and Mom decided they would post a few pictures of Dad from his favorite weekend in November.

Yes, you will see that he enjoys this "sport" and is very proud of his "accomplishments" during the brief weekend. Our freezer is full and "we" (I use that term loosely) are all so excited that Dad can bring a "piece" of his new treasure home with him. Yes, for Christmas Dad is getting the 11 point buck head mounted. It should look smashing hanging in the garage where Mom can see it everytime she pulls into the garage. You have to admit, it's better than hanging in the basement or the living room!

The weekend was beautiful- in the 70's! Dad had fun and Trent and Mom got to spend a lot of time together that weekend.

Halloween

Halloween weekend was anything but boring around the Wetherell home! Halloween was not only a night of trick or treating on Saturday night, but also a Friday night of fun with a visit from Grandma and Grandpa Wetherell.

Grandma and Grandpa stopped by to visit and drop off Trent's Halloween treats (and take us out for dinner)! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! Dinner, the marshmallow ghost peeps, the chocolate, the new books, stickers, and "Cookie" were appreciated very much! As you can see, the candy was by far the biggest hit of the night!



The following day, was filled with typical chaos, as usual! Mom raced down to Champaign in the morning, Dad and Trent played on tractors and rode around town, then we all met up for lunch at McDonald's. We then went to Kyle's football game before crashing for a long afternoon nap before an even LONGER night of trick or treating!




Our little train engineer had a ball trick or treating! Once he figured out that people would give him kit kats if he just carried around a silly orange bag, he was pretty excited! We visited people all over the country side and came home with a pooped 20 month old Engineer and a heaping bag of candy for Mom and Dad to fight over. (Yes, Trent will get SOME of it too!) We even met up with some friends along the way. See Trent and his friend Ryan, the fisherman?

Trick or Treat!

Weekend in Chicago

We spent a weekend in September with Grandma and Grandpa Wetherell. We traveled to Chicago for our first big overnight trip. We visited the Lincoln Park Zoo, spent the night in a hotel (for the first time) and went to the Children's Museum at Navy Pier too.

Lincoln Park Zoo was great! The weather was beautiful and the animals were amazing. I think we all agree that the gorillas and apes were our favorite exhibit! We were a little upset that there were no elephants. At the time, that was the only animal noise Trent could really make!

As you can see, the train was a big hit! He rode it all by himself, even though he was not quite three (not even close) and was no where near tall enough either! Oh well, he's a professional- he even stood up to give us the devilish "look at me" smile.

We were all pooped when we left the zoo!

The next day, we went into town to Navy Pier on our way back home. We wanted to check out the Children's Museum. Once again, Thomas the Train was a big hit! This time Trent was "big enough" to ride the train, but the man operating the train was a little confused about Trent's family. Were we his siblings?? Was Grandpa his Uncle?? and Grandma his Mom?? He really didn't know, but it didn't matter he let Trent ride a second time for free! Thanks Grandma for helping support that confused old man and giving Trent another free ride!

What a great weekend!

Miller Park Zoo

Of course now that August is upon us and school is right around the corner, the weather has decided to become beastly hot AND what better way to spend a Sunday than to go Miller Park Zoo on one of the hottest days of the summer.... We waited quite awhile on the Zookeepers to make their appearance to feed the sea lions. Trent enjoyed watching them, but as the sun kept beating down on us Daddy and Trent decidedit was time to move on to the next event. We did watch the sea lions eat a few smelly fish, then it was on to the next exhibit.......

and if it's hot and humid outside the best thing to do is go into the Rainforest exhibit. It too, is hot, humid and slightly uncomfortable. Trent went under the roped off ares, into the mud and chased after the long legged birds walking around the "rainforest." He also enjoyed the turtles and the monkeys, but couldn't get close enough to them.

We finally got a little smarter and decided we would take a little break and go into the Zoolab. Air conditioning, squwaking parrots, but it didn't smell. We were happy for the break out of the heat!

After some water and few blueberries, we were ready to visit the petting zoo......

and the big, hairy pig. Trent thought he liked it, but really wasn't too sure. He would follow the pig around-evenback into the "private animal resting area" but when the pig started to follow Trent, he would cling to me for dear life! Trent would only pet him if he could do it without the pig looking at him or smelling him!
Before we left the zoo we had to take a quick ride (yes I mean quick- the parents had to hold on for dear life when the little high school volunteer threw this thing in gear!) on the carousel. Of course, Trent rode on the elephant. He loved it- it was a little difficult for him to ride when he was tyring to dance to the music at the same time.

After all that walking, running and riding (and a short 15 minute nap in the car), our outing concluded with lunch at one of our favorite "family" places- Hooters of course! Hot dogs, buffalo chicken, super salty fries-Yum! Both the boys were very content with the activities of the day!