under a fig tree: Thanksgiving in Omaha and Cherokee

We've been loving having family and friends come to South Bend to visit. For Thanksgiving, Simeon decided that he wanted to be the one to do the traveling. Taking heed of Horace Greeley's advice to "head west, young man," Simeon rode like a champion for the 10-hour trek to Omaha.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Time flies when you're fast asleep in the back seat

Happy to arrive in Omaha and be greeted by Grandpa Dave's open arms

"Baby Grand": Simeon's first piano lesson with Grandma Julie

Grandpa Dave helping Simeon cultivate an early habit of self-reflection

We all got a big laugh out of Grandpa and Simeon's antics

Daddy says: "I love you, too!"

Uncle Tim quickly dubbed Simeon with the nickname "Basset Hound" in honor of the size of his cheeks.
Simeon responded with a swift shot to Uncle Tim's solar plexus.
Since then, Tim has been extra motivated to stay on his game in the weight room in preparation for their next meeting.

Over Thanksgiving, we were able to spend time with the extended Wilson family. We loved introducing Simeon to Ben's cousins. There's lots of new life in the Wilson family. Newlyweds Joan and Sam are loving married life and are getting settled into their new home and Annemarie and Michael are also proud new parents of Isaac. Ben and Annemarie are only three weeks apart in age themselves, so it's a wonderful gift that Isaac and Simeon are even closer in age. Isaac has two weeks on Simeon and was able to show him some neat tricks. We so excited to meet Greg and Hannah's baby who is due in January and to see Grandma Fran Wilson on the next visit!

Joan and Sam were wonderful to delay their own travels over Thanksgiving in order to hang out with Simeon.

Wow! Who is that big boy? That's cousin Isaac!
Who's he looking at?

Isaac and Simeon introducing themselves to each other.

Isaac: "Hi, I'm Isaac."
Simeon: "I love your name! Is that from the Old Testament?"
Isaac: "Sure enough. What's your name?"
Simeon: "Simeon."
Isaac: "Ah, I thought you looked more like a New Testament kind of guy."

Sprawling out on the couch with Annemarie and Michael

Annemarie with the boys

We also got to spend time with Tom and Tammy, longtime dear family friends. Thanks for all your love and support of us and the little guy!

Simeon with Tammy: "I love a good shoulder to rest on. But why don't they fit in my mouth?"

Annemarie, Michael, and Isaac with Tammy, Tom and Simeon

We also were able to visit Grandma Julie's side of the family in Cherokee, Iowa. Greatgrandpa and Greatgrandma Clow met their newest greatgrandchild and entertained us with stories of childraising through the generations. We weren't snapping pictures fast enough to capture on film all the family that came by, but we were so happy seeing Ben's Aunt Monica and her husband Craig, Aunt Cindy, Cousin Amy, and Cousin Wade with his wife Mary and their two children, Becca and Brody.