Thanksgiving 2010

If you've read my last two blog posts, you will know that Thanksgiving Day would just be the culmination of an already stupendous week.  And that's what it was.

Special of the day was babies, babies, and more babies-- five in all.  Two Talberts, two Kirbys, and the one on the right is cousin Reid.  Does Grandaddy look a little proud?

And Claire wonders, "If Reid is our second cousin, does that make me and Bri first and third, and Hunter and Evan fourth and fifth?  I'm confused."

 

As all the young ones have come along, the older ones are still growing, too.  Emma may be a Short, but she didn't get the "short" gene.  Amanda doesn't care if Emma passes her.

First thing I knew, Brianna had Grandma, Great Grandaddy, and Aunt Jennifer from Georgia playing her favorite game-- Ring Around the Rosie.

Brianna: "No, silly.  Don't you know the leader doesn't have to fall down?"

Claire puts us older folks to shame by sweeping with not one, but two brooms.  But it is easier to see the dirt when you're closer to it.  Come over and help us sweep anytime, Claire.  Or just play!

Three week-old Evan says, "Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.  But I can't even have Gerber turkey yet!"

Grandpa and Amanda show off our two newest arrivals, Evan (left) and Hunter (right).  Next year they'll be rambling around the church fellowship hall like their big sisters.  And who knows what the big sisters will be up to by then!

Little Reid is just on the verge of walking, but he was all over the fellowship hall with his big smile.

"Doesn't anybody want to play hide-and-seek?" he asks.

Grandmas Leila and Judy say, "Girls, let's give everybody a big hand for preparing this wonderful Thankgiving dinner." 

And most of all, we thank God for allowing our family to share this time together.

Truly, we can hardly begin to count our blessings.

One Fine Fall Day

Although we see Claire and Brianna every week, it's not as often that we keep them at the same time.  The Tuesday before Thanksgiving was one such day, and it was pure joy to play with them or just watch them explore things, both indoors and out.

We've always thought there was no better toy than a large box.  Claire is searching for the secret door while Brianna waits for Claire to find her.  To be continued . . . .

"Thanks for the lift, Claire.  I think I'll walk the rest of the way."

"Have Graham cracker, will travel.  Yee-haa!"

"So that's where those mysterious noises were coming from!"

"No, I don't have a license, but I've had my shots.  Why?"

For Claire, music and sports go together.  You won't often see her with nothing in her hands.

This was the first day we tried out our new double stroller (yard sale, of course).  The girls loved it.

Here, Brianna is trying to disable the restraint system.

"Hmm.  I think I can pick this lock.  Just a simple mechanism, but oh, so devious."

Here's an unplanned four generation picture: Claire (in the swing), Judy, Jennifer, and Great Grandma Thelma.  Brianna says, "Hey, don't forget me!" (No, we won't)

Claire says, "Hey, these Graham crackers go great with swinging, too."

Three real swingers.  And the boys will be swinging, too, before you know it.

"Would you like these eggs sunny-side up?  Or just hard-boiled?"

Claire and Brianna try out a Sit-and-Spin, which was probably their mothers's favorite toy 25+ years ago.  Jennifer and Amanda could really fly, either together or solo.  These girls will, too, in a few more months.

New feature: Pick Your Own Caption

Option 1: "So maybe I do drink and drive.  But I'm not texting, am I?

Option 2: "One thing I can't stand is a tail-gater-- gimme a break!"

Option 3: "No wonder I'm not getting anywhere-- this contraption only has one wheel!"

Next blog:  Thanksgiving Day, 2010

A Week of Thanksgiving Begins at Morrow Mountain

Just one week ago, I was all caught up on my blog.  Pictures of all 4 grandchildren were up to date.  Well, not any more.  It's been a glorious week.  This is the first of three blog posts covering what happened from last Saturday through Thanksgiving Day.

Saturday Judy and I joined Amanda and Stephen and kids for a few hours at Morrow Mountain State Park.  The weather was even more perfect and the leaves more striking than when Judy and I had gone up there early in November.  Amanda's blog has many more pictures you'll enjoy.  (click that last phrase for the link)

We drove straight to the mountaintop and started with a picnic lunch.

Brianna was in heaven.  We eventually gave her more than baby carrots, but she was quite content with them for a while.

Brianna was in awe of the leaves and wide open spaces.  Amanda did her usual masterful job of chronicling occasions like this.  But she couldn't escape Grandpaparazzi!

At the bottom of the mountain we strolled on and around the pier at Lake Tillery.

Stephen tells Bri, "I carried you down; now you carry me up."

Grandma cautions, "Now Brianna, just remember when you read about Jesus walking on water, that doesn't mean you should try it.

Brianna's a good big sister.  "Hunter, I'll hold you, and Grandma, you hold both of us."

"Oh Grandma, you've just got to see the view from down here!"

Hunter says, "I know the Bible says 'We shall all be changed' . . .

but in the trunk of a CAR?"

It's not often you'll see Amanda without one of the children along for the ride.  But don't worry, she's got an eye on them.  Right now she's more concerned about Stephen and Grandpa.

"Hunter, I've already told your sister this offer, but if your folks don't treat you right, we'll just move up here to a little house in the big woods.  OK?"

Brianna just loved dropping stones in the water, ker-plunk!

I didn't realize until I read Amanda's blog that Bri must have been wondering how the rocks disappeared.

"Grandma, why is one of your arms getting longer than the other one?"

Grandpa's highlight of the day was toting this precious cargo on the mountaintop trail.  Grandma had the idea of bumping knuckles against trees as we passed them.  Bri, the trees, and Grandpa all had a fine time.

Next post you'll see what a fun time Judy and I had keeping Brianna and Claire together last Tuesday.  Don't miss it!

The Patter of Little Feet-- MANY Little Feet!

There's no point trying to put the following pictures in any logical sequence.  But all of these are from November, and they feature the grandbabies four, who as of this writing are:

Brianna, 19 months (Amanda's)

Claire, 17 months (Jennifer's)

Hunter, 7 weeks (Amanda's)

Evan, 2 weeks (Jennifer's)

I know this is a lot of pictures to throw out at you (obviously, I didn't have trouble loading pictures today!).

But this might be my last blog before Thanksgiving and it's a great chance to catch up.  Ready?  Here goes.

Hunter says: "Listen to this, Grandma-- pbfft!"

Granny says, "Now Hunter, if you make rude noises, we stick one of these in your mouth.  That's your first warning."

Claire: "Thank you, Pierre.  I'll have what she's having, but make it a double."

Brianna:  "Don't worry, Grandma.  I'll just run a virus scan and have you back up to speed in a jiffy."

Can you get drunk on bananas?

Ring around the rosie,

A pocket full of posies,

Ashes, ashes, we all fall DOWN!

Guess who?!  It's your cousin, of course!

Grandpa:  " Hunter, as long as I hold you, I don't have to help with the dishes."

Brianna:  "Everybody should have a porthole in their tent.  You can see who your company is before you open the door."

Brianna: "Whaddya mean you'll huff and puff and blow my house down?"

I have a feeling Hunter is storing up little tidbits of advice for us-- better get ready!

Grandma says, "Now Hunter, Grandpa's going to play a little music for you.  Please humor him and make the best of it."

Hunter says, "Not bad Grandpa-- at least you can't sing and play at the same time!"

(This 50's era SuperMelodeon was a thoughtful gift from dear friends Bob and Bertha)

"If you're happy and you know it say AMEN!"

Brianna says, "I know I didn't like hats yesterday.  But today, I do.  It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind."

Claire:  "So anyway, Mommy just said 'No elbows' on the table.  Get it?"

It's so much fun watching little Evan, a girl could almost forget her popsicle.

But not for long!  Mmmm. . . green tastes good.

Why is this man smiling?  Why, he's a GRANDPA, of course!

Evan, just remember, when you need advice, just come to Grandma.

 Evan: "Sounds good.  I think I'll sleep on it."



Now do you see why I couldn't leave out any of the pictures?

Visit again soon!