Crown. Throne.

Part two of Christmas takes place at Nana and Papa’s place. All the usual awesomeness of food and drink and family, more presents, and our collective first turducken. The highlight of the visit for me however – maybe the highlight of the whole holiday season – was Joe’s reaction to Pete the Cat.

When we visited Joe’s school for parent-teacher conferences last month, we asked Mr. McCoig (who needs his own blog post) what the kids are into these days. McCoig is a pretty low-key guy, and said they read Pete the Cat books a lot and the kids “seem to like them.” We gave our wonderful sister/sister-in-law Amy a heads-up, and she got some for Joe.

Christmas morning Joe pulls one out of his gift bag and loses his ish. Straight screaming like Shaun Cassidy was opening for One Direction with Ringo on drums. It was spectacular! Now we just show him a picture of Pete and he yells. It’s the first thing that’s driven him to this type of fandom. He’d hobble Pete if he met him.

Joe’s personality comes out more every day, but this Christmas it’s been in overdrive. We have a lot of great things to look forward to in 2015.

The Christmas season is coming to a close, and it’s been a great one. Joe got lots of terrific presents, but for us parents the best part has been watching his personality pop. This is the first year he seems to understand opening presents, and that the cool toys are for him. He’s more and more social, and will pick himself up and find where the action is in the house. In general, he’s just a hell of a guy.

We opened a bunch of presents at home before heading to North Carolina for part II. Thanks to my folks (the incredibly generous Grandma and Grandpa) for the neat stuff. Joe loves it all, but is split between the spinning top and the talking rabbit for his favorite. We parents hugely appreciate the unexpected surprise!

And thanks to Michele and Joseph in the Grand Canyon state! Joe has been wearing the sheriff badge and said to tell Arpaio to watch his back. This town’s not big enough …

Last night we went to the Illuminate Light Show just north of Richmond. Joe likes lights.

Lia, too.

Joe and I like to hit up local parks on our off-time. Our go-to much of the time is the Petersburg National Battlefield, where we’re on our fourth year as annual pass holders. There are lots of great trails, and a really nice road with a dedicated walking/biking lane. We’ve run a lot of miles together there.

Over the past few weeks we’ve also gone to Rockwood Park in Chesterfield and Belle Island in Richmond. Belle Isle is extra cool because you access it by a foot bridge that is suspended under a major six-lane road bridge. Lots of history there, too – it was formerly home to a fishery, Civil War prison, nail factory and hydro-electric plant.

Belle Isle – this is how we selfie.

On a Rockwood trail.

Exploring a former industrial spot on Belle Isle.

Stumped.

Sucking up the December vitamin D.

A couple of weeks ago we went to a holiday craft fair at Tussing Elementary School, Joe’s place of business, then to Hopewell for a small festival. Joe took things up a notch by wearing a Viking helmet.
Then he pillaged our hearts.

Viking Joe don’t care.

Taking a break at the Hopewell library.

Our Techno Viking loves live music.

Tonight was Petersburg’s Christmas Illumination ceremony. They had drums, music, fireworks and nice people. The Red Cross served hot chocolate and a super cool lady was making Santa hats out of balloons. Joe ate it all up.

We met some of Joe’s old friends, and he made some new ones. One woman was there with her kids, who recognized Joe from school. She said her son had just recently pointed Joe out in his yearbook and said “That’s Joe. He’s very popular.”

My parents came down from the frozen north for Thanksgiving this week. Joe had a great time, and I think my folks did too. Joe is a lot more interactive each time they see him, and was constantly trying to get their attention. He’s got such a great personality it’s hard for anyone to resist him, especially his own grandparents.

Dad, Joe and I went for a couple of walks. We called my super sister Michele and passed the phone around. We didn’t do much else but eat and talk, but that’s why Thanksgiving is the queen of the holidays. Lia was the perfect hostess and I’m lucky and thankful to have her as my partner.

I love my parents – they’re great people and I miss them often. Thanks for coming down Mom & Dad!

For the past six Halloweens Joe has gone as something little and cute – a bee, skunk, lion, gnome, chicken and a dinosaur. This year he was a doctor because he’s getting to be a big boy.

I RESPECT AND VALUE NURSES AND OTHER HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS! EVEN THE GIRLS!

Joe visits some recent patients. “I’m six, they shouldn’t have let me scrub in.”

Have you met Harold Ramis yet?

Now let’s go get turnt and egg something.

There are a few World War II airplanes still flying. Not just air-worthy, but actually flying all over the country as mobile museums.

Last weekend Joe and I met up with a couple of them at the Chesterfield County Airport. We got to kick the tires of a B-24 Liberator and an honest-to-god B-17 Flying Fortress. Yeehaw!

This is why I take photos.

Joe running through his pre-flight checklist. Juiceboxes? Check.

It was a beautiful, grey misty day. It felt like we were in England, 1944.

That Rosie does nice work. You go girl.

That’s a big-ass propeller.

I’ve been to the factory in Connecticut that made these propellers. They’re still pumping them out for C-130s and other warbirds.

Virginia is a hotbed of Czech and Slovak folks – who knew?! Evidently, hundreds (thousands?) of people, because they were all in Prince George today for the annual festival. It was very Central European, meaning lots of cabbage rolls and polka. Mmm mmm good! Joe dug it, and we did too.

This woman, in her 70s, was tearing up the dance floor.

Wherever they’s a tuba, I’ll be there.

Joe eyeing the cotton.

Could be the beer, or may be the music, but this woman is content.