Thanksgiving 2012

We had a great Thanksgiving! We weren't able to travel, and our families couldn't come up this year but we were lucky to have our "Ohio family" come visit us. Bama and Barb took us in like we were their own children/grandchildren while we lived in Ohio. We could not have survived the early months with the twins without their amazing help.

They flew in Thanksgiving Day and spent the whole weekend with us. We had a our big Thanksgiving meal Thursday night.

 

James thoroughly enjoyed Thanksgiving.

"What? You didn't want that pumpkin pie did you?"

 

Andrew was pretty excited to see his ole buddy, Bama.

 

 On Friday, we went to Plymouth, MA and toured the Mayflower II and saw Plymouth Rock. The coastline is beautiful!

Pilgrim James

On Friday, we took them into Boston and showed them a few highlights.

 

It sure was nice having some extra hands!

 

We love and miss Bama and Barb so much. 

Perhaps you noticed his name. Yes, he is a huge Alabama fan. So that ought to tell you something right there! If Matt will invite Alabama fans to come stay with us on the weekend of the Iron Bowl, then you know they must be special!

 

(**Side note: James took 3 steps on Thanksgiving day and continues to take a step here and there. He's almost there and Catherine's right behind him!)

Turkey Trot 5

On Thanksgiving morning, our town held it's first Turkey Trot. I've gotten back into running and Matt encouraged me to sign up and said he'd be happy to watch the kids. I was a little nervous, but signed up for the 5K. When I got to the race, a few of my friends were also running in it, but they were running the 5 MILE portion. I didn't think there was anyway I could go that far but when the race started I had to make a decision and peer pressure led me to go for 5 miles!!
I did it without stopping and I was so excited when I finished. Matt even brought the kids to cheer me on.

What a great way to start a day of eating!! Ha!

How to Observe Thanksgiving

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your losses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.


I received this in an email from a mentor I had in college who still corresponds with all of his students. It was just the boost I needed! Hope it brightens your day too.

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Pops and Mimi's Visit

Pops and Mimi came up for a visit several weeks ago, but I had some technical difficulties and am just now getting the pictures posted. As usual, we had a great time with them here. Their presence was especially helpful to me as they overlapped 2 different trips that Matt was away on!

 

Andrew loves wearing his "black coat". He was very proud to be dressed like Pops!

Mimi was able to go with me to the babies' music class and see them in action.

Pops and Mimi got to see Will's baseball game...

...and Andrew's soccer practice.

Reading the paper with Pops...before we know it, he'll be drinking coffee with him too!

 

Some of our good friends here, the Hayes', invited us over for lobster. Mrs. Hayes is another Southern girl who has been transplanted to Boston. She served us lobster but she left one live so that we could see how to cook it!
They say "When in Rome...", well, when in Boston, you learn how to cook lobstah!

It was a great visit. Looking forward to next time!

What a Way to End the Day

I found this on my pillow tonight.

My biggest boy knows exactly how to make my day!

14 Months

The twins are 14 months old now and every day continues to be a true adventure! Just an update on how they're doing.

They each have their front 8 teeth and are cutting molars in the back. They eat everything and lots of it! As of last week, they've finally transitioned fully to sippie cups.

They crawl around the house lightening fast! They both are standing unassisted but no real walking yet. But we know it's right around the corner.

James is a flirt and a doll to most anyone he meets. He knows how to ham it up for the camera and he is happy as long as someone is holding him. But the problem is that when we are home, I can't always hold him and he lets everyone know how unhappy he is with loud piercing screams. He has a bad temper and he is struggling to learn the meaning of "gentle" (like with Sophie or his sister).

Catherine is truly our little princess. She was a bit cantankerous as a newborn, but she is a doll as a toddler. She adores her brothers and her daddy. She's not a big fan of anyone else though. She's pretty clingy to her family members.

They've figured out how to cruise around the house on their car. Before we know it, they'll be asking to share a real car!

2nd Grade

Puppy Love

James is obsessed with Sophie.
We give Sophie a hard time, but she really is a trooper!