Boys and their Toys

Steve came home a few weeks before Thanksgiving

claiming he had bought this Mario racetrack

for when the kids come over to play.

OK - I could buy that.

Then the week of Thanksgiving he has 'snuck in'

a Polar Express Train set - claiming it's also for the kids.

Maybe I could buy that.

But then today he makes another trip to

the hobby shop to 'add' to his train set.

Is it just me or does it sound like he has

started a new hobby that he doesn't want to fess up to?

2009 Thanksgiving

I've learned that you never know what's going to happen

this time next year - or in the years following.

When Steve and I first got married I volunteered to

take over Thanksgiving for my sister

(she did Christmas)

and since we invited all my side of the family and

all of Steve's side of the family - plus

friends and their families-

we always had anywhere from 30 and up to 50 guests.

This year we had 8

and that's counting Hadley.

Only one table to set.

I think we all had a good time.

Plenty of food and time to play and relax.

I know Spencer & Coen had fun with Popo's new toys

& Jen & Karl enjoyed Popo entertaining the boys for awhile.

Even though I enjoy 'traditions' - I'm not afraid of change

and I know it's just part of life and growing up.

OK -actually I know I'm too old to host one of

those huge feasts anymore so a little change is good!

But of course - I'm always hoping all my kids

will join us one of these times - maybe Christmas?

Happy Belated Birthday Gracie

Sweet Gracie Girl had a family birthday party last night

minus a big chunk of the family.

She woke up from her nap with a bark and a sniffle

so the cousins were warned away.

But that's ok - they were all at her kid party

last week on her real birthday.

The family party was Grace and her 'adult' family

and we had a great time celebrating with the birthday girl.

She has mastered the art of blowing out those candles!

As I watched her 'sample' the plastic food for her shopping cart -

I was thinking it's probably a good thing the cousins were not there

to help her taste each item.

She wasn't so under the weather that she couldn't tease Nana.

I asked for a smile and she gave me her silly face instead.

Happy 2nd Birthday Sweet Gracie Girl

and hope you feel all better real soon!

I love you so much!

Lucky 13

I know I'm a little behind here but I've been busy.

Hadley Elizabeth

born November 13

at 3:13 pm

and even though they weighed her at 6 lbs. 14 oz.

I'm thinking their scale was off by an ounce

and it was probably 13 oz. :)

She is beautiful and the boys are delighted with her -

they want so much to "help"

take care of her.

Mommy & Daddy are terribly 'sleep deprived'

but doing great in spite of it.

She is our 6th grandchild - third granddaughter.

Our lives overflow with God's Blessings

and we are loving every minute of it!

Watching them Fall

"Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn."

Elizabeth Lawrence

"The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds,

no matter how hushed,

are as crisp as autumn air."

Eric Sloane

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me,

Fluttering from the autumn tree."

Emily Bronte

HAPPY AUTUMN AND FALLING LEAVES!!