We are glad the real Nate is back. He's had an accumulated sleep deficit for about a month. We weren't sure for a while because he wasn't napping but his body was just in stress mode because he was overtired so he wasn't sleeping well (hey, just like us for the first year of Nate). I think he is back to normal now.... I sure hope anyway, it's been a challenge for us. I can tell he is much happier .

Thanksgiving at the Gaukels

Bob's mom and my grandma

Bob, Norma, and Judy making final preparations. Loved the grilled turkey!

Nate and Paul enjoyed playing with the train set

Nate vs. the tree

He wasn't so gentle this time with the ornaments. oh, and the next time he pulled the whole tree down when I wasn't looking. I guess the tree is not going to work out this year. That's okay, because I kind of knew it wouldn't... that's why we didn't buy a real tree.

Mom, just a preview of what Nate will do to your tree this Christmas. At least he puts the ornaments in a neat pile...haha.

I just wanted to share Dave's wonderful dinner. Nate even went to bed at 6:30 so we really got to appreciate the night!

Steve and Meg

He spent much of the day making the braised short ribs

Beets, Heavenly Potatoes, Short Ribs, and Glazed Carrots. No, not starting the season off very light. Ok, better go exercise now!.....

Nate always chews on his crib but his time he wanted to "talk" about it.

I know this one is really hard to see but it's so funny. Nate and Miles were sitting in the wagon shaking their heads and being silly.

Camping in San Clemente

Dave, Nate, and I went camping with our friends Jill, Cory, and Miles. San Clemente is a beach town 35 minutes north of us.

hanging out in the tent before we packed it up.

of course they always wanted the same toy even though we made sure to bring two of everything.

going on one of several wagon rides.

snack attack

amazed at what Dave's doing

Thanks, Dad (Grandpa), for the "I make dirt look good" t-shirt. It was very appropriate for this trip!

chasing each other

playtime

having too much fun to take a nap

Ali (Dave's sister) and Matt came to visit

Nate thinks he's in charge of Sadie's bone so they constantly have a power struggle going on.

Hiking at San Elijo Lagoon

Yesterday, we went on a little hike. Nate and his friend Miles have so much fun together. Miles calls him "Silly Nate". Miles is all boy and very active just like Nate.

Trick-or-Treating

Dave, Nate, and I went with our neighbors trick or treating. We never knew what a party our neighborhood turned into. Nate had the best seat in the house and was comfortable only going to a few doors. He was well entertained though.

Miles had a Halloween Birthday Party

Nate had his first entire cupcake... and then learned to walk on his tip toes (from the sugar high I am guessing)...

Everything stuck to his costume!!...

Miles had a tractor cake! (Nate stuck his hand in the icing before anyone got pictures of it....OOPS!!!)

This lollipop kept Miles sitting still through all of the present opening...

The kids got to trick-or-treat INSIDE the house! It was so fun but Nate was a bit sceptical at first...

Who are these people behind the doors and why are they handing me crackers and raisins?....