The Day After Thanksgiving

The Friday after Thanksgiving might be reserved for crazy Christmas shopping for some, but for us it's a day set aside for hanging out with friends. Dan and Stacey come to spend their last night in town with us, and Katie, Josh and their (now four) kids come hang out for the evening. We eat and play games and talk until it becomes absolutely necessary to give up and put the kids in bed. I love this time together! It's a shame it only happens once a year.

Judging by the pictures this post could've been titled: Henry and Evelyn...

All the kiddos: (back row) Tucker, Charlotte, Sophie, Chloe, Chaney, Paislee, (front row) Evelyn, Henry, and Rigley

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated Thanksgiving this year at my mom and dad's house. Anna's in-laws and mine were both able to be there, which meant no running around for us... yay! We had a great Thanksgiving meal and enjoyed eating, talking, more eating, playing games, and more eating.

Sisters, sisters....

Aunt Susie loving on Henry Jay

Me and Anna with Grandma (so sad not to have Grandpa there)

Aunt Chris taking a little nap with Cooper

Me and Jay - so thankful for my husband!

Tom, Anna, and Ruby

I had to snap some photos of Hank in his turkey bib before the day was done.

He is such a happy guy!

I just love him!

So thankful for all my little blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Meeting Evelyn

Our friends Dan and Stacey and their baby girl, Evelyn, were in town this week to celebrate Thanksgiving. We always get together the day after Thanksgiving, but this year I got a special bonus opportunity to hang out with them for a few hours at the playland. Being the nice mom that I am, I let Henry and Charlotte go with me. Katie brought her brood as well. It was the first time we were able to meet Evelyn! She was born this year on Jason's birthday (May 15). I have adored her in pictures, but it was so nice to finally be able to get my hands on her. Texas is just too far away! Stacey and I have it worked out that Henry and Evelyn will be married one day. So, I 'd like to introduce you to my future daughter-in-law, Evelyn. It was love at first sight!

I think she likes him, don't you?

And he likes her too, don't be fooled by the expression!

Evelyn, Henry, and Rigley

Hank the Tank and Big Rig

Decorating the Tree

We put up two trees at our house. One of them has all of our "family ornaments." We have moved it between the loft/playroom and our bedroom depending on the year. We decided to put it in our bedroom this year. I thought it would be safer away from the hands of all the little visitors to our home. :-)

My little helpers

Sophie placing an ornament on the tree

Chloe was checking out one of our Santa photo ornaments.

Charlotte got to put the star on top. I'm pretty sure it's because the other girls can't reach, and Jay can still lift her up.

Henry Jay watching all the action

Happy Birthday, Anna!

We celebrated Anna's birthday this year by ordering Papa John's pizza and decorating her house for Christmas. I took a few pictures of her opening her presents, and then my camera battery died. Guess I should've checked that before we left the house!

Happy Birthday!

Country Christmas CD

Sisters necklace

And the Peanuts ornament from Mom. She gets (at least) one every year...  usually it's more than one!

Three Months Old

Henry Jay is three months old today! And we have enjoyed every single day of his little life thus far. He is a very sweet baby. Not particularly fussy and always quick with a smile. Obviously I say this without any bias whatsoever, but I'm pretty sure he's perfect. :-) He doesn't have another well baby visit until next month, so I don't know how long he is or how much he weighs. We did move him into size 6-9 month clothes last week and also size three diapers.

Okay, she's not three months old, but she is oh so pretty! :-)

Last Sunday we were able to go visit some friends (Katie and Josh) who had a baby boy a couple weeks ago. Their little (big) guy is Rigley. I forgot to take my camera, so I used Jay's phone, however, the pictures haven't made it from the phone onto the computer yet. You can see Katie's pictures on her blog. Katie has been one of my closest friends since I was nine-years-old, and God blessed us with husbands who became the best of friends as well. I think the chance of Hank and Rig being best pals is pretty high. :-)

This and That

Just some pictures that have been gathering on my camera for the last few weeks:

This was the night we took Anna and Tom dinner. Papaw is holding Henry Jay and Mamaw has Cooper.

Jay pulling double duty

Ruby and Charlotte are either the best of friends or fighting with one another. This was obviously from one of the moments when they were getting along.

It snowed at our house last Thursday evening, and I quickly took pictures Friday morning before it all melted away.

Mums and pumpkins dusted with snow

I love snow. I realize that not everyone shares this sentiment, but I was grinning from ear to ear and giddy as school girl when it started coming down.

My vinca was actually still in bloom. It survived the frost, but the snow did it in.

Hank and Coop in their monkey pj's...

...and cute little monkey buns!