As usual, I had good intentions about posting our Thanksgiving many days ago, but better late than never, right?
The Friday night before Thanksgiving, the four of us set out on our first ever road trip with the kids. I'm proud to say that we made it in 12 hours & 20 minutes, including four stops. It required lots of patience, snacks, some
ipod headphones & creative parenting strategies, including, but not limited to, Elmo DVDs, but we made it!
J & the kids with our loaded car before we set out
Once in Atlanta, Jake & Mallory had a blast exploring Pops & Mimi's big, new house!
Over the week we were there, we enjoyed lots of time with the extended family & way too much good food!
Mal checking out her picture on Grandpa's camera
Belle, Ella Grace, Mal & Jake
Cousin baths are so much fun!
We've developed a tradition over the last few years of eating at The Varsity the day before Thanksgiving. The kids enjoyed their hot dogs & fries & especially the hats!
On Thanksgiving day, we had a houseful! Twenty-four people shared a meal, including six babies under two years old!
Grandpa with Mallory
Pops was Jake's favorite person while we were there. He even learned to say his name! A few nights ago, Pops was in Dallas & stopped by to see the kids. The minute he walked in the door, Jake exclaimed, "Pops!" It is so sweet to watch them together.
J with two of his favorite ladies, Karen & Grandma
Sweet Mommy's girl!
Enjoying the feast!
J's cousin, Lauren, with her niece, Evie
Sweet Sophi in Uncle David's lap
This was the only picture I manage of me with both kids, & I didn't get one of Justin. I am very disappointed in our picture taking efforts during this trip, but we did get to have a professional photo shoot with J's cousin, Graham, so that makes up for it.
My sister-in-law, Amy, is always sweet to take on extra kids to play with, & she's a big hit with the twins.
As I mentioned, J's cousin Graham took some beautiful pictures of the
fam while we were there. If you're interested, you can view them
here. I'll be posting some of my favorites when I get the files from him.
I hope everyone had a happy Turkey Day!
It was a bit chilly that morning, but these two fans looked so adorable all bundled up!
Hi Daddy! This was about mile 6.
After the race, we had a hard time finding him but finally did & then headed to Tinstar for a celebratory lunch.
Justin, we love you & are so proud of you!
they emptied the toy chest of its contents...
worked on some puzzles with Nana...
& got to play with their cousin, Brody!
But the main point & highlight of our trip was meeting this little bundle!
Aubrey Elizabeth was born the day before Thanksgiving & is just as sweet as can be. Check out that hair!
Cousin picture! I didn't want the twins touching Aubrey, so I had to hold her near the rest of the group. They're rather rowdy!
Make lots of fun messes - check!
Host some holiday festivities - check!
Dress the kids in all sorts of holiday fun - check!
That shot was the professional one that we scanned in, but I also enjoyed some of the ones we took.
The progression that these show makes me laugh. We go from confusion on the part of both kids...
to Jake realizing fully that this was a BAD situation...
to Mal thinking it's funny that Jake is upset & cheesing all the more...
to Jake trying to escape completely...
to Mal getting what she really prefers!
On the up side, both kids can now tell you what Santa says. Ho ho ho!
Good thing those drops work quickly! (Based on the price, they must be made of pure gold, so maybe that's what makes them work so well!) We're all cleared up now & on the mend from the ear infections. We're going back to our regular doctor next week just to make sure we knocked them out this time.
With all that drama, we didn't even notice until last night when we were brushing their teeth that Jake has his first molar. He's now two teeth ahead of Mal, so she'd better catch up. What fun!
Once in Atlanta, Jake & Mallory had a blast exploring Pops & Mimi's big, new house!
Over the week we were there, we enjoyed lots of time with the extended family & way too much good food!
Belle, Ella Grace, Mal & Jake
Cousin baths are so much fun!
We've developed a tradition over the last few years of eating at The Varsity the day before Thanksgiving. The kids enjoyed their hot dogs & fries & especially the hats!
On Thanksgiving day, we had a houseful! Twenty-four people shared a meal, including six babies under two years old!
Pops was Jake's favorite person while we were there. He even learned to say his name! A few nights ago, Pops was in Dallas & stopped by to see the kids. The minute he walked in the door, Jake exclaimed, "Pops!" It is so sweet to watch them together.
J with two of his favorite ladies, Karen & Grandma
Sweet Mommy's girl!
Enjoying the feast!
J's cousin, Lauren, with her niece, Evie
Sweet Sophi in Uncle David's lap
This was the only picture I manage of me with both kids, & I didn't get one of Justin. I am very disappointed in our picture taking efforts during this trip, but we did get to have a professional photo shoot with J's cousin, Graham, so that makes up for it.
My sister-in-law, Amy, is always sweet to take on extra kids to play with, & she's a big hit with the twins.
As I mentioned, J's cousin Graham took some beautiful pictures of the fam while we were there. If you're interested, you can view them here. I'll be posting some of my favorites when I get the files from him.