November

We started out November with a visit from Grandma Kathy. Again, it was so nice to have help with the kids. And I could get an occasional nap in the afternoon! We did fit in some shopping, which is always so fun! The kids spent most of their time with her but I did get a chance to have some time for talking with her a few nights before she left. We always have a good time chatting and catching up. The 2 weeks went by way too fast though. And we were all sad to say goodbye.



 Thanksgiving seemed early this year since it was on the 22nd. We decided to have a low key holiday at home this year by ourselves. We always love having Daddy home from work! Emery was a good helper getting the beans ready for the casserole. Now if we could only get him to eat it! I always seemed to need to nurse the baby at the important times for getting things cooked on time. So, Joel took over most of the cooking this year. He did awesome!! He made a homemade mac and cheese for lunch that was to die for! We had our Thanksgiving feast for dinner with turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, green bean casserole, rolls, and apple pie and cheesecake for dessert! And then I had a bunch of dishes to clean. :) It was delicious, but it always seems like a lot of work for one meal!!



Andrew is starting to become more alert. He is smiling a lot and we all like to watch for them! He is still a champ at nursing and is getting quicker too. We put him in this little seat so he can watch us as we cook or play. He always seems interested to watch Emery and Lucy. But also doesn't mind being left alone if we walk out of the room for a minute. I remember Emery as a baby could not be left alone without him crying. So, I think Andrew had a more laid back personality.

The day after Thanksgiving we began getting out all our Christmas decorations. The kids were bouncing off the walls excited to pull everything out. I let them decorate the tree this year. Emery got a stool out to do the top and Lucy did the bottom. And she re-decorates it almost every day since! I have accepted the fact that it's not going to look perfect and am just enjoying not needing to constantly say, "Don't touch the tree! Put that back! Don't break that!" The ornaments are cheap and I'm sort of enjoying the asymmetrical clustering of balls here and there!