The Shapiro Family: November with the Shapiro Family

So, you are so lucky...you get to see ALL of November in one long post to our blog. Sit back, grab a cup of coffee (or a pomegranate martini) and enjoy our month in review.

Charlie loves wearing his fireman costume. He takes the garden hose, and pretends to put out fires. Since we consider ourselves to be sensitive to environmental issues, this was not allowed to happen often...Fast Forward 2 weeks, and Charlie and I were at the dollar store, and he spotted this "fire hose" from across the store. The water pack stores enough water to last about a day and half of fire fighting. Problem solved, and he runs around saving us. Our hero!

You may not recognize this very girly-girl...but yes, it's Haley. She went to a fairy party...wore the beautiful velvet, satin and marabou dress, made a crown and wand...and then actually wore it all for the rest of the day, and in public. I was in girly-marabou heaven.

Our good friend, Jessica...Sam's age...came over for a play-date. Every time, and I mean every time, she come over the costume drawer gets raided, and they put together elaborate shows for us. They were in luck this night because we had some friends in town so they had an added audience. In this first picture, the pirate is kidnapping the cheerleader (We didn't know whether to cheer or boo, it was a cheerleader after all)

So, the cheerleader is tied up, and Jessica (who is always the superhero) comes to Haley's rescue. Sam, the pirate tries to fight her off with the fire hose...

Fortunately, there were a few light sabers around, so the pirate and the super hero could have a real fight...Jessica always wins (you go, girl).

Charlie's preschool every year does a Thanksgiving Feast the day before Thanksgiving. The kids make their own costumes...Charlie was a turkey...and they sing songs and recite poems for the parents. Then we all enjoy a potluck Thanksgiving Feast together. It's by far my favorite show from this preschool.

Then, of course, we have Thanksgiving:

We went to Ari's parents, Jerry and Joan (Nana and Pop Pop). We also celebrated some birthdays while we were up there. It was a nice evening with yummy food and great company.

Haley and Nana

Sam and Haley with Pop Pop

Sam and Charlie with Auntie Lucy. She runs the primate sanctuary on Maui. It's a great cause, and you should check it out at www.pacificprimate.org

The kids love Auntie Lucy's house with dogs, birds, cats, chickens, many fruit trees, and lots of mud. It's a favorite place and she's a favorite friend...

We had a special treat this year. Jerry's sister Carol and her husband Wayne came to visit us over Thanksgiving. We were together a few years ago in Costa Rica for Thanksgiving, but we haven't seen them since.

Our good friend, and poker buddy, Allison caught Charlie's heart. Major flirting!

We sang happy birthday to Jerry, Carol, Haley and Charlie...

OMG! How did a picture of me slip in to this mix. Enjoy it, I don't let it happen often:)

Ari left for Cabo, yes Mexico, the day after Thanksgiving. That week end we had a yummy tofurky dinner with Auntie Nance (my sister) and some shopping at Shops at Wailea on Saturday. On Sunday we trekked up to Lahaina. We rode the Sugar Cane Train, went to Baby Beach and had lunch at The Hard Rock Cafe. This is our Lahaina tradition.

Those of you that know Haley will appreciate the pole position in this picture.

Charlie had his Vikings shirt on in preparation for the big game. And the Vikes did not disappoint. Ari would have been so proud that his wife and son DVR'd and then watched the game Sunday night...we had lots of fun doing many victory dances...GO VIKES!!! To all you cheese-heads out there...haha!