Thanksgiving 2012

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving holiday. On Wednesday, we trekked to Tennessee to meet up with Mimi, Paka, Aunt Amanda, Uncle David, Noah, Gavin & Levi. We were so glad to see them at the house on the lake in Smithville.

 

On Thanksgiving morning, we took off hiking to Burgess Falls. We've been there before and it did not disappoint. Here are the hikers who like to take turns as being the one that does not look at the camera.

Off we go on a hike!

Nate, oh Nate. The oldest and wisest cousin. Just ask him or his cousins. But don't ask Lila. She would most likely disagree.

We had to hold on to Lila most of the time to keep her from falling off cliffs. But she had fun and she was our protection from any rogue hunters. Hot pink is the new hunter orange, right?!?

The 3 Amigos...they had so much fun playing this trip. They always do, but it was with less fighting and more independence away from the adults. When we weren't out and about, they played and slept in the basement of this house. I was so proud of all of them - so grown up!

This was part of a larger picture of Mimi, Paka and the grandchildren. But the pictures didn't turn out on my camera - sun was causing a problem that the amateur photog couldn't handle:) Nate and Noah - best best best of buds.

The Odoms - love them!

Burgess Falls. You have to climb down the old metal stairs to get to the falls. And then you can go further down to get to the actual bottom of the falls. Lila wanted to go with the big boys so I decided we would go. I had to not think too much about it or fear would've taken over me. But the view was worth it.

After we got down to the falls, you can take a rock path down to the very bottom. We decided that wasn't for us, so we walked back up the rickety stairs to the top of the water fall (the boys went all the way down). Where I tied my scarf to her for most of the time to make sure she didn't get in the water. We were at the top of the falls you see. And I had nightmares that night about being at this very place. Yes, I did.

The kid table for Thanksgiving dinner. Where shirts are optional.

Hike #2 on Friday - around our little neighborhood.

My word. He looks so grown up.

Uncle Scott trying desperately to find something impressive for the kids.

The cabin had a hot tub, which the kids loved. This was on a cold day so it was extra fun.

I didn't take too many pictures of baby Levi but here's a sweet one. He is absolutely precious and by next year at this time, he'll be chasing after those big boys! And girl!

Happy Birthday Lila!

Sweet Lila, you are 2 years old today.

 We cannot begin to express how lucky we are to be your parents. You are the cutest and funniest little girl we've ever known.

 We love that you still need us at times but are a strong independent about most things.

 

You certainly keep us on our toes and for that we are extremely thankful.  

A few notes about you these days...

 

You can put on your own socks, shoes, and coat. And enjoy doing it.

 

You are a fairly good sleeper but continue to wake up at early:o'clock.

 

You are a typical 2 year old when it comes to eating. About every 3rd meal is a good one.

 

You still love to read books. Especially if they are out of Nate's room.

 

You have a physical streak that we have to manage. You also have a highly dramatic brother that fits right into your plan. Every. Time.

 

Your nicknames as of now are LuLu, Lulie Bell, Lu, and Sissy Lou.

 

You are a smart little cookie and are starting to recite books and songs from memory.

 

You still love going to school and keep your class on their toes too.

 

You talk a blue streak and continue to amaze me with your cognitive abilities. Sometimes words or phrases come out of your mouth that seem out of place for a girl your age.

 

You like to play babies using my old cleaning rags as your baby blankets. You lay everyone down in your room and place a towel over their face. It looks like the morgue.

 

You have learned to like coloring and can sit at the table in your room for quite a while coloring dogs, cats and circles.

 

You are still in your crib, but won't be for long. Katie, bar the door.

 

You are the light of our lives along with your brother and make all of our lives complete.

 

 

We love you LuLu and hope your 2nd birthday is 100% fabulous!



Happy Thanksgiving!

I was trying to explain big problems and little problems to Nate last night. Something that was dear to him broke (probably at the hands of Lila) and he was inconsolably sad. We talked about how it was OK to be sad about this "thing" but that it was really classified as a little problem, especially because Scott & I were committed to helping him fix it.

 

I'm not sure I got my point across but as I was discussing all the "things" we do have right now - like "Is your family safe?" and "Do we have a house to live in?" and "Did we have dinner on the table tonight?" and "Do you have a warm cozy bed to sleep in?" - to which all the answers are a resounding YES - I thought that I could really take a little of my own advice.

 

During this time of Thanksgiving, our family has so much to be thankful for...in addition to our health and the awesome fact that we have each other, there are many other blessings to name. Parents, Siblings, Extended Families, Old Friends, New Friends, Door Openings. Door Closings. Opportunities. Choices. Hope. Just to name a few. We are truly truly blessed and I strive to remember this fact each and every day, not just at Thanksgiving.

 

As many of you already know, we have a most recent blessing in our family. Scott will be taking a position at St. Louis Children's Hospital in the inpatient pharmacy in the next few weeks. It is an exciting and wonderful opportunity for him and our family. And way more than we were expecting it to be, and then some. Not only will he be working with children, he will get to continue his research at Wash U and have exposure to the St. Louis College of Pharmacy. Please join me in congratulating him on this huge accomplishment. We are all so proud of him and his perserverance to get to this point. The road was not always paved and it certainly wasn't always easy. But as I have a history of saying, "If it were easy, everybody would be doing it."

We love you, Scotty.

 

Here's to a fabulous Thanksgiving! From our family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful day!

 



Lila's 2nd Birthday Party

We decided to have a family birthday party for Lila at my parents' house again this year. It was a good time for us all to get together and makes the drive a little shorter for Mimi & Paka - who we were so thrilled they decided to join us at the last minute!

 

This little one loves Elmo, just like her brother did, so we did Round 2 of the Elmo party. Hopefully that will be our last:)



She is just so special. I can't believe she's 2, but don't all moms say that.

I was trying to get a picture of both of the kiddos but Lila started pushing Nate out of the way. I managed to capture her looking at him, which I love. She does love him, as he does her. But in true sibling fashion, they don't always show it!

And now him looking at her...

A little diet coke break before the party. Who doesn't need that????

I pondered making Elmo cupcakes for the party. But quickly chickened out. So Sam's to the rescue.

Add a few Elmo balloons and you have an Elmo party!

Don't y'all love this picture of Scott & his mom?? I do.

Lila loves to be outside at my parents' house. It's the first thing she says when she wakes up. 

I know this one is a little fuzzy - I cropped it. But I just love her expression!

Loving on Paka a little bit...

The generations...

I got her this Elmo hat, which she wore backwards most of the time. It just adds to her charm.

Sweet Elena joined us with her Granny (my aunt Kathy) and we were so so glad to have both of them!!

The big brother of the birthday girl. And my handsome boy.

Baby Thane came to his first ever birthday party! Everyone was so happy to see him - especially Aunt Lee.

I love him so much! Those blue eyes are killers:)

The kiddos eating the birthday lunch.

A rare one with the hat on straight. She doesn't look too happy about it though.

Finally time for Elmo cupcakes!!

She loved the Elmo cupcake, the singing and blowing out the candle. She was a very good birthday girl.

And of course she picked GREEN.

Opening presents. I love this age. Every present is so awesome and they don't really have the need to open any more.

Thankfully her older brother and cousin kept the process moving:)

Oh Lila, I love you so much and am so happy to celebrate your 2nd birthday. But I hope the time between now and your actual birthday next Monday goes really really slow:)