Priceless!

 I had to share this!

Grayson's LOVE of music + a former music teacher (aka. MIMI) =  a Thanksgiving with rhythm sticks and jingle bells!! 

(Yes! Uncle Andrew is ALWAYS that crazy!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHKapX-EA3A


I LOVE the looks on Abby Ruth's and Caroline's faces!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aS8datXNvIQ

Our Family Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving this year in Clinton with the Trammell family.

 Daddy and Grayson are ready to be outside for the campfire! 

 Caroline was recovering from an ear infection but she seemed to be feeling much better for most of the visit.

 It's funny how Abby Ruth and Caroline seem to enjoy the same toys!  Thankfully we had 2 little pans.

 Mimi pulled out the rhythm sticks for Grayson's enjoyment and the whole family joined in.  It was quite humorous to see everyone tapping their sticks to the music.  Grayson LOVED it!

 Singing with Uncle Andrew.. (still in their pajamas)

 Grayson got to spend some time with Grandmama and Daddymac--he loves it when they bring treats!

 This is during one of Grayson's naps.  We walked in and found him like this..

 apparently  he had been having some fun with Papa's antique tools--I think this was some kind of old rake or something.

Just because we never have pictures of us:

 Uncle Andrew came home with us and stayed a night before he had to drive back to Nashville.  Grayson LOVED this special time with him.  They played and read lots of books.

It was such a nice, relaxing few days with family.  

We have so much to be thankful for! 

A Pre-Thanksgiving Visit

Last week we were so excited to have Mimi, Aunt Bonnie, and Abby Ruth come to stay with us for a few days.  Grayson got to spend some time outside since the weather was so nice.

 The girls hung out inside and were just so cute sitting together.  This was the first time they've been together since they've been sitting up on their own.

 Grayson had the great idea of playing with his instruments together, but for some reason, I don't think this is quite what he had in mind...

 Mimi and the girls...

 What a fun couple of days!  Mimi was such a great babysitter while Bonnie and I scooted out around feedings to shop. 

 

We can't wait to be together again for Thanksgiving!

7 Months

Somebody is 7 months old!

 She is a LOVER of her BIG brother.

 Seriously, what is there not to love about this?

 She is sitting up really well now on her own.  If she falls down, she considers it no big deal and just carries on about her business.

 She's a scooter!  She's pushing with her toes and pulling with her arms.  She's just starting to use her knees every now and then.  So I'm afraid crawling is in our very near future.  She often gets herself in situations like this...

 She's an EXCELLENT eater--eating pretty much anything I put in her  mouth.  And even some things she succeeds in getting into her mouth. 

She's a mommy's girl for now--and likes to keep her eyes GLUED to mommy if others are around.  Her favorite game right now is peek-a-boo.  

She's a sweetie and definitely a keeper!

Fall

In an effort to kick off the Fall season, we did some leaf-raking...

 and some leaf-jumping...

 We also had our neighborhood arts festival this weekend.  Grayson got to help out the night before by drawing on the streets with chalk.

We gathered some of the little ones together to try to get somewhat of a group picture.  This was the best we got.....

 Caroline was not happy about lying down...

 There has been quite an explosion of babies in our neighborhood this past year.  We are so blessed to have such amazing neighbors!! Our kids will have so much fun growing up together!!  Here's a few of us mommies and babies:

 And Grayson enjoyed being with some of the neighborhood boys--digging for dinosaur bones!

I hope the weather continues to stay nice for a bit longer so we can enjoy this Fall season!!

Sick

If there is one word to describe our past few weeks it would have to be

SICK.

Yep, first Grayson and Caroline, then Chad (and Grayson), then me (and Grayson).  Poor Grayson got hit the worst and still has a lingering cold.  Funny thing is, we were all FINE until my kiddos got the flu shot.  I have already decided we will  do without the vaccine next year. 

The lingering sickness did not keep us from making cookies....

 and more cookies...

 cookies just seem to make everyone feel better, right?

 reading LOTS of books...in our pajamas....

 taking full advantage of any shimmer of sunlight so as to soak in all the Vitamin D we can get...

 and lots of WARM baths.

And Chad and I have had our fair share of NyQuil the past few nights.

Hoping to get this COLD OUT OF OUR HOUSE!!

An Overnight Guest

 Grayson had his first "spend-the-night" friend last weekend.  Leigh came to stay while her parents went to a late night football game.  They played so well together and kept each other very busy. 

 Bathtime!  And bedtime stories...

 Caroline also loved having Leigh around for a few days.  Leigh was such a little "mother".  Caroline would just stare at her and smile-it was so sweet.