Daniel turns 3- November 24, 2011

Since Daniel's birthday was on Thanksgiving Day, we opted to push the actual celebrating to Friday.  We did let him open a few presents on his actual birthday, however.

He opened presents from Aunt Gene & Bubba first.

This was the first time Daniel seemed to enjoy opening presents.

He loves his new Gamecocks shirt!

Sarah crocheted a ball for him since he loves to throw balls.

Thanksgiving- November 24, 2011

We had a full house on Thanksgiving with Papa, B'dette, April, Lonnie, Gabriel, Luke, James and baby Nicholas!  The food was delicious, and it was the first Thanksgiving I have spent with my dad in a really long time.  I was taken back to my youth, waking up early to rub Crisco on the turkey, but now apparently we use olive oil!

Emily loves to scrub potatoes.  I can not explain it.

Sarah opens a birthday gift from cousin Andrea.She loves the shirt, and wears it often.

We had a lively table full of food and laughter!

Emily took this picture.  I think it is a piece of pumpkin pie under all of that whipped cream.

April & Nicholas (also a photo by Emily)

Nicholas is Baptized- November 19, 2011

Sweet baby Nicholas was welcomed into the Catholic church on November 19, 2011.  I forgave his parents for planning his baptism on a Saturday afternoon (I missed the Carolina-Citadel game, but it was worth it!) in November.  After the baptism, April & Lonnie had a fabulous party, and I enjoyed hanging out with several of the siblings, many of whom I had not seen since the night before Daniel was born!  Of course, we hope to all be together again at the big wedding in November 2012!

Science Center- November 13, 2011

We had a fun day at the Maryland Science Center with Nana.  The girls laid on a bed of nails, Sarah wowed the planetarium speaker, and we had fun playing with all of the different exhibits.

Making Cookies- November 12, 2011

Nana, Sarah & Emily made some delicious red velvet cookies while she was here for a visit!

Nana Love- November 11, 2011

Daniel loves to look at pictures and videos on Nana's computer.  I think he was watching a video of everyone sliding down the hill at Aunt Chris & Uncle Bill's house from this past summer, or ESPNUs!

Snuggle buddies!

Sally Cotter & the Censored Stone- November 10, 2011

We were very lucky to have Nana in town for Sarah's big stage debut in Sally Cotter and the Censored Stone.  Sarah did a great job, and hopes to be in the Spring musical next.

Sweet Caroline- November 5, 2011

Our neighbor Caroline celebrated her birthday, so we made cupcakes after dinner to celebrate!

Halloween- October 31, 2011

Our pumpkin

Sarah quickly decided her costume was not conducive to
the stairs and paths in our neighborhood!

I have never seen a spider like this.  It is a Marbled Orbweaver.
I knew Joanna would want to see it, as she loves spiders so very much.

Painting- October 31, 2011

A woman knocked on my door and dropped off this painting she had done in 2001 of the Japanese Maple tree in our yard.  Titled Scarlet Lace, she decided to give us the painting, and I showed it to the previous owner, who had seen it at a gallery showing years ago.

Halloween Gathering- October 30, 2011

The kids on our tiny street all go trick-or-treating together each Halloween, and then their is a gathering after the candy collecting.  Since Halloween was on a Monday, the neighbors opted to have the gathering the day before Halloween.  Several of the kids wore costumes, and the adults gathered around the fire pit as the kids played capture the flag.

Emily as Bellatrix Lestrange

Sarah as the Queen of Spades

Daniel as . . . Daniel.  He opted not to wear his firefighter costume, but he did wear his boots.

We also had an angry bird, and a scary Caroline . . . I can't recall what she was.

Snow! October 29, 2011

We've had some freaky weather since our move (hurricanes, hail, torrential rains), but nothing prepared me for the predicted October snow!  Thankfully, it was not nearly as bad as predicted.  We've yet to have anything more than flurries (thankfully!), but I suspect that will change any day, especially since it is 22 degrees as I type this!

Emily and Caroline were the only brave soles to venture out.