O Christmas Tree

We picked up our tree the first chance we got when we got back into town after Thanksgiving. I dug through all of the ornaments and gave each kiddo their own box with the ornaments they’ve received so far. It was fun to talk about why each ornament was picked out for them each year!

Then they went to town putting their own ornaments on the tree. Noah needed a little help from Daddy, but his went pretty fast since he only has 3 so far!

 

 

Noah getting some help from Daddy.

 

 

Finding the perfect spot.

 

 

Topping it off with our sweet angel!

 

 

All done!

 

 

And showing off their new Christmas jammies.

 

 

Noah is starting to trust Grace a little more these days!

 

 

Sometime he lets her touch him. :)

 

 

I already have the three best presents under my tree!

 



 

We had a few ornament casualties this year thanks to a certain 20 month old. Hopefully it’s nothing a little super glue can’t fix. He spent a day or two pacing around the tree saying “toy! toy! toy!” but I think we’ve finally convinced him to keep his hands to himself!

 

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Cousin Time!

After Michael’s party, we rounded up the cousins for some quick group photos. It went about as well as you’d expect for trying to get 5 kids to be somewhat still and all look in the same general direction!

 

My expectations were fairly low (all 5 cousins in the same frame)… I was pleasantly surprised!

 

 

This one is my fave!

 

 

Noah wanted a pic of just him and Michael.

 

 

What’s that you got there, little buddy?

 

 

Sharing is caring, Michael.

 

 

You can try it for a second, but I need it back!

 

Sweetie came in at the tail end to try to get a group shot with all of her grandbabies, but a few of our key players were DONE by then. Better luck next time, Sweetie!

 

Michael’s 1st Birthday

Michael’s birthday party coincided with the Thanksgiving holiday, so we were able to be a part of it! Holly went all out with a Froggy/Swamp Prince Theme. The party was at a great park near their house. The weather was perfect – cool and sunny. There was yummy food and fun games, and lots of friends and family came out to party with Prince Michael!

 

Sweet boy was a little sleepy at first – but he quickly warmed up to the festivities!

 

 

Holly carried the theme to the food. She made a bait bucket filled with “dirt” and worms.

 

 

There was also “Gator Corn” & “Gator Tails”.

 

 

Holly made froggy cupcakes! I think they were awesome ~ they made me giggle each time I looked at the crazy little eyes. Holly’s dad was giving her a hard time & saying they looked like frogs that had been run over, but what does he know? :)

 

 

If you don’t smile when you look at these cupcakes, then there’s something wrong with you! Hee hee.

 

 

After we munched on the yummy food, it was time for games. First, the kids had a froggy race.

On your mark, get set…

 

 

HOP!!!

 

 

Gracie was catching some serious air… Noah was having a tough time moving past the starting line.

 

 

The kids also played “Pin the Tail on the Alligator”.

 

 

After games, it was time to sing to the birthday boy and give him his turtle smash cake that his mommy made just for him!

 

 

Holly’s friend made a cute banner for Michael’s high chair.

 

 

We had to pretend to light the candle ‘cause it was a little too windy.

 

 

We all sang and then it was time for the Prince to go to town.

 

 

Hold on - Pre-icing Family Photo Op!

 

 

Michael made sure the smash cake lived up to its potential!

 

 

Paw Paw helped Noah to get in on some green icing action, too.

 

 

Once his belly was full, little man opened his presents (with some help from his Mom & brother & Gracie.)

 

 

I offered to make Michael’s onesie for the party and Holly requested a camo bow tie.

 

 

We had a little photo shoot after the party. Michael was hopped up on sugar and hamming it up!

 

 

We had the best time celebrating this little guy!

He is the CUTEST!

 

Happy Birthday, Michael!

 

Love, Aunt Gabi, Uncle Brian, Ben, Grace & Noah

A Cajun Thanksgiving

We travelled again for Thanksgiving… this year we were back in Louisiana. We stayed at Mom’s and ate TOO MUCH yummy food.

 

Noah wanted to help Sweetie cook – he knows that yams are part of his heritage! :)

 

 

The weather was SOOOOO nice that we spent most of our time outside. I was excited to smush this little face.

 

 

Aunt Holly had the same idea – and she went for two at once!

 

 

Gracie couldn’t let the boys steal all of the snuggles, so she did her best to make her rounds and entertain us all!

 

 

My little yeti brother was the official turkey fryer. I guess the beard increases his wisdom and skills, because he did an amazing job. That turkey was DEE-LICIOUS!

 

 

Turkey frying must be really hard, too, because he had to take a nap afterwards.

 

 

Michael decided that that was enough rest for one day, so he stole his Daddy’s hat.

 

 

Paw Paw came over to spend the day and sample the goodies.

 

 

He promised to come back the next day to boil us some seafood! YAY!

 

 

And boil he did. YUMMM! I got my fill of shrimp and crabs and I was in heaven!

 

 

Unfortunately, I had to share with this guy.

 

 

While Paw Paw was cooking, the boys played some football.

 

 

Go long!

 

 

Noah decided he was done…

 

 

because Aunt Holly had PIE! It was finger licking good, apparently!

 

 

The kids crashed at the end of the day, except for Noah, who spent some time curating his social media.

 

***********************************************************

I was looking through pictures after we got home and I remembered that another little boy wore the same shirt for Thanksgiving back in 2007.

 

I knew I recognized those cheeks from somewhere!

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone! Gobble, Gobble!