Giving Thanks

This past week or so has been a one of firsts for us. Some of these took way too long to accomplish, while others had to wait until the appropriate day on the calendar.

Right before Thanksgiving I was able to take a trip with the kids to see my grandmother in Keene, NH. Between my back issues earlier in the year and the move (and all that went with it) this was the first we were able to get out there. More importantly though, this is the first time my grandmother was able to meet her newest great-grandchild: Wesley.

Not surprisingly, Wes was all smiles the whole time.

 I really wanted this shot to come out. Wes had the best time showing off his ability to walk for his great-grandmother.

My parents were there too so they kids also got some more Grandma and Grandpa time which is always a good thing.

 

 We had the portrait lens on so it was difficult to get everyone in the frame for a good picture.

We (the kids especially) had a great time in Keene. Hopefully now that we're closer we'll be able to get out there more often.

And then came Thanksgiving. This was our first major holiday in the new house and the first time we'd made Thanksgiving dinner for a large number of guests (okay, so we had a lot of help this time too and only really made a few dishes - everyone else made the rest).

 Molly wasn't too sure about the turkey at first.

Wes, on the other hand was ready to eat.

...and what would a holiday be without a sink backing up (and backing up so much that a plumber was needed eventually). Thankfully (sorry) the previous owners put a sink in the mudroom which is right off the kitchen, thus preventing a complete disaster.

Not surprisingly, this was the best picture we could get of the whole group. Molly was up to her usual tricks of making interesting faces for nice, group photos.

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we finally had Wes's 1st birthday party. Pushing the party back a week or two allowed more family to be there.

Yup, he's 1.

 At first Wes wasn't too sure of the cake and all of the people standing around starring at him.

He got the hang of it eventually.

This was Molly's 2nd 1st birthday party (as in, the second one she has been to, including her own). She did a much better job with the whole eating-cake-while-keeping-clean thing than she did for hers.

 After cake we decided it would be good to try and have a nice, orderly time of opening presents. Right. You can see the hoard of cousins that have descended on Wesley and his toys. Note to self: sugar + little kids does not = calm behavior.

Wesley got some great gifts, including some cool hats. Now it he would only let us put them on his head...

I would like to say the water mark on half of Wes's shirt is from a cup of water slipping. But that's not true. He drools like a madman. Hopefully he's just teething and isn't actually a madman.