Thankful Times

This Thanksgiving found us packing our bags and heading to Boston.  We spent a few fun days in the city, traipsing around our old stomping grounds, dragging the kids to Fenway Park, Boston Common and Copley Square.  We also subjected them to a drive through the town we lived in before moving to Atlanta, and pointed out our old house, restaurants we frequented, and even the grocery store!  As you can imagine, Anna was less than thrilled.

After reminiscing over old times, we headed to see Grammy, FaFa, Aunt Kirsten and the cousins.  We spent three great days together, filled with food, games and laughs.  As always, we left feeling happy and thankful to have spent time and celebrated the holiday together, yet sad that the time together went by so fast.

The whole family

The boys

The girls

Much ping pong was played - James desparately wanted to get in on the action

Making duct tape jewelry was all the rage

Ty & Anna playing memory

Playing some tunes

Hallowed ground

First cap from Fenway!

Make Way for Anna & James!

Sleepy fliers...

Fall Fun

It's been a busy, but fun Fall season.  I'm always amazed by how quickly this time of year passes but it always seems like there is something to look forward to.  As soon as the first days of beautiful weather set in, my mind kicks into overdrive and I start thinking about Halloween then Thanksgiving then Anna's birthday then Christmas then New Year's then...whew!  We have managed to pack in some fun.  Here's a taste:

Pumpkin Patch!

Jack-o-lantern carving!

Botanical Garden scarecrows

Pumpkin patch hayride - look at that face!

Anna and her pal Audrey

Playing games

Lots and lots of swinging...

On the Move & Looking for Trouble

James is on the move - he's been crawling since five-and-a-half months and all he REALLY wants to do is walk.  I fear our babyproofing measures from Anna are not going to be sufficient.  For her we locked the obvious cabinets and padded our fireplace hearth.  She could care less about opening doors, drawers, cabinets, etc.  James, however, seems to be opposite.  He quickly figured out how to climb and is using that skill to get in trouble.  Like, crawling up to the fire (thank goodness it's behind glass!), and climbing the stairs.  BOYS!

Bouncing Babies

This video captures a cute thing James has done, almost since birth.  Well, at least since he has been able to hold up his head and be bounched on a knee.  Whenever he gets bounced James makes noise and delights in the funny sound of his voice.  Of course, big sister had to get in on the fun...

Eight Months

Eight months - unbelievable!  The sweet boy keeps on growing even though I plead with him to remain a baby.  At eight months James is on the move, has a blossoming personality and is pure joy to be around.  I LOVE this boy.

 

Little Pumpkins!

Snapping these pictures of James at a pumpkin patch really took me back to when Anna was about the same age.  We waited until Halloween to head to the patch, so the pumpkins were picked over  (gone!), but I was able to get a few good shots of the little guy.

Here's a comparison picture of Anna from about the same age - there is definitely a resemblance!