Thanksgiving was both wonderful and different this year! Without being able to be with our entire family like we're used to, Derek made the 5 hour drive up from Nashville to us and we spent a few days together, and then had Thanksgiving at one of John's professor's houses! Abel is the conducting professor that John studied under at CalStateLA and was instrumental in us coming to IL when he was hired this year on the conducting faculty here. This year, he is the Interim Director of Bands at the University and he and John have developed a friendship over the years of studying together. Ryder now calls him "Uncle Abel" as he's welcomed us into his home many times since we've moved here.
We joined him, his mother who is from Texas, as well as a family of whom the father is studying conducting at the University as well. Ken and John both conduct one of the bands together so it was wonderful to met his wife and son as well. Abel was a wonderful host and everyone welcomed the boys as if they were family as we ate, watched a movie and ate some more!
We loved getting to spend time with Uncle D as well! Not only was it great to relate on a "school level" as John and Derek talked about all they are learning in this season of their life, but the boys couldn't get enough of Uncle D. They wrestled, played, and wrestled some more. Uncle D also helped John bring in the pieces of the beds Papa built when he was here and so here are some pictures of the beds in the new "brother" room! The room's not quite finished yet, but after I move some pictures and all of Cole's clothes over to their new shared closet, the transformation will be complete! It's kind of nice not being able to paint even if we wanted to (since we're renting) because it takes the pressure off putting some cool stripes on the wall or something!!! We'll have to save that for another house!
Derek (not pictured though very instrumental in the assembly process) and Daddy assemble the beds in the room right after the paint dried after it's 4th coat!
Here's Ryder making his favorite "funny face!" He is SO excited!!! He and Cole love to climb under the beds too since they're so tall...it's like a fort under there! They're in HEAVEN! Right now, the beds are in a L shape until we are confident Ryder won't fall from the top! Eventually we'll bunk them and give them more space to play in their room but for now, it's great!!! Cole can't wait to join Ryder in his new room! For the month of January, this extra bed will be for Gramma as she spends the whole month of January with us! Thank you Gramma! We can't WAIT for you to come!!! Your bed is ready :) Derek says it's cozy! :)
