Thanksgiving Day.

I'm sorely disappointed that I took so few photos on Thanksgiving Day, but these will have to suffice. Throughout the month of November we started a new tradition of making "thankful leaves" to hang on the fireplace. We had Vince color on the leaves and then we would write something he is thankful for. It's definitely a tradition that will stick around for a while.

As for Thanksgiving Day, we started out the morning with the Burt's. They were kind enough to let us join them for their annual Thanksgiving Croquet Match. Ruth and Paul tied for first place and Dan brought in the rear with last place but with lots and lots of revenge. To stuff ourselves silly we drove up to American Fork and had a fantastic family meal with the Dave Paulson family.

Thanksgiving was more meaningful this year than ever before. As a child, Thanksgiving was mostly about eating pumpkin pie. At least that's what I thought. But as I've grown up, moved away and started my own family it has evolved into so much more. Gratitude is a beautiful thing.

7 months

This month has had its ups and downs. Vince's nap schedule is changing. He bounces back between two and three naps. He's really not ready for just two but he loves to fight that third one...

He has been doing raspberries a ton this month and he loves to kick his legs whenever they're dangling. He isn't crawling but he his rolling all over the place to get to things. I think he prefers solids to nursing, which obviously is not good. He'll only nurse if he can grab onto my hair and play with it the entire time. It's more of a time to play than a time to eat in his mind.

He got his flu shot which means he was weighed -- 17 pounds! We're proud of him for chunking up. Slowly but surely he's growing. He's also developing preferences for people and certain toys. He'll cry if you take someone/thing away from him. It's kinda cute.

One of my favorite things from this month was hearing him say "dada" He's only done it a few times but it make me so happy! I'm itching to hear him say mama!

 

We get mixed answers about who Vince resembles. Most say that he has my eyes and everything else is more similar to Paul. Either way, he's a total cutie.

 He got really sad when we told him he couldn't eat any pie on Thanksgiving.

He's been a champ during this cold weather. He never complains when he has to bundle up.

At 7 months he already knows how to pose for pictures. Model?

I love loving this little boy.

Don't ya just wanna kiss those lips?

Thanksgiving!

Let me just start by saying that Thanksgiving Break was AWESOME.

Why?

1. I got to spend oodles of time with Paul

2. I finally had time to really get to know Paul's siblings and their spouses

3. No school.

4. Absolutely delicious food.

5. Adorable kids running all over the place.

(I didn't get any pictures of Macie! Talk about tragic.)

6. Paul getting "man" time via football and time with his brothers.

7. I actually sat down and read a book for fun

8. Poker, Rummikub, Scategories and Labyrinth.

9. Black Friday deals = New camera

10. SLEEP.

 

Here we have Mr. Eli, who chased the cat everywhere, and Gaelyn, who is too cute to handle.

 Me & the hubby

 A picture I love of Paul and Gaelyn watching "UP"

 Just relaxing!

 Devin throwing Eli all over the place. He was laughing so hard!

 Sleepy Paul on our drive home from Texas.

 Every time I saw signs for this time I couldn't help but think of a mortuary. Creepy.

 We stopped at the 4 corners! (Utah, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico)

 "Four states here meet in freedom under God"

Kissing in 4 places at the same time. 

... I bet you've never done that!

On the road again.

Thanksgiving is this week.

I am so so so excited.

Paul and I are heading down to Texas to spend the holiday with his siblings.

Are we flying?

No.

Once again, we are embarking on a lovely road trip.

Thankfully, it will be shorter than our 80 hour road trip from June.

Regardless, I am pumped to have some family time.

... and to have a break from school.

[pictures to come]