Eliza's First Thanksgiving

I love the holidays and was so excited for Eliza's first Thanksgiving. This year we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family in Cary and although we're "grown ups" there's something sweet about really being home for the holidays and that includes spending the night :)).

Here's some snapshots of our Thanksgiving as a family...

I mean, where else do you get to wake up to such cool toys than at Grandma's house.

Eliza loves her Grandpa!

One of the many things I love about being at my parents' house is the vat of coffee in the morning. :)

I had to capture a snapshot of how the simple things in life have changed now that we have b bear.

We all went on a family walk to make room for the meal. Eliza was so exhausted from watching all of us workout that she fell asleep in the stroller.

My favorite shot! Thanksgiving bath with the raw turkey in the background. Classic.

Sweet Eliza loves bath time!

the girls (minus mom) and no, we did not plan on matching

The newlyweds first Thanksgiving. :)

And here it is! Eliza's "thanksgiving meal". Which consisted of some gourmet baby food jar with turkey in it that my parents bought her. She didn't even know the difference but we certainly dressed her up and put a festive bib on. :)

Jonathan partaking in the food... or not

Potentially one of my favorite Thanksgiving treats- a pumpkin roll

sweet baby girl

Our first Thanksgiving as a family :) (it's a very serious matter for Eliza as you can tell)

plum worn out from a day full of fun

A sweet day of family, fellowship, and food was had by all. To burn some calories the girls all got up and went black friday shopping together for a meaningful bonding experience. :) I love my family and I love the holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Artist in Residence

My sister-in-law, McCall, is an amazing artist and just finished painting some canvases to go over Eliza's crib. I had given her Eliza's fabric and she free hand painted the flowers on to some canvases. Oh to be that talented... ;)

Eliza modeling her new canvases (although after this quick smile she started to cry as if to say "I don't want to go to bed, why am I in my crib")

We love you Aunt McCall! Thanks so much!

Rubber Ducky

I think the old song holds true. "Rubber Ducky, you're the one who makes bath time oh so fun. Rubber Ducky I'm awfully fond of you" because Eliza is OBSESSED with her pink (oh yes) rubber ducky. Watch the video for a cute squeal.

ps- this video is one that she will kill me for posting later in life but... it's so cute

Sweet Mornings

It's funny how the little things in life become the sweetest. Mornings have never been a favorite part of my day and God, in his sovereignty, had me marry a man who loves to wake up early. When we were first married I deemed him crazy for relishing in early mornings. I mean, he even sets his alarm on the weekend. (It's a sign of a sick mind) But over the years I have come to love, value, and appreciate that Jonathan wakes much before Eliza and I, takes the monitor (bless him), and starts his day sitting before the Lord.

This means that our morning routine consists of me waking up to two amazing people looking over me like "mom, get up" (one of them normally has drool and a frenzied "feed me" look while smiling). After nursing, I stumble downstairs and hand Eliza to Jonathan while I feel my way to the coffee pot. One morning I had enough clarity of mind to realize how sweet our morning routine has become and I snapped a couple pics.

Here are some pics of Eliza with her daddy first thing in the morning.

One of her favorite chew toys is the strings on Jonathan's sweatshirt.

Eliza is fascinated by Jonathan's coffee cup.

Cuddle Bug

Thank you Lord for my family and little moments.

Birthday Festivities

November is birthday month for Jonathan and my brother, Sam. Last Sunday we got together and had a birthday celebration with my family(Luke and Steph we wish you could have been there). It was also the first family birthday that Eliza has been a part of. It was so sweet to celebrate Jonathan and Sam with family.

Nothing like eating lunch on the counter.

Eliza loves her Aunt McCall (especially when she feeds her good food :)).

boys

I love this man so much and cannot believe I get to spend the rest of my life with this amazing man.

Stunning Ruth with quite the diva pose ;)

Birthday boys. McCall made an amazing carrot cake. So moist. I could go for another piece right now.

Sam hasn't had a birthday in the states in years so it was extra special to be able to celebrate with him in person this year.

"Guys, why are you all singing?"

Family :)

just chilling with the birthday boys

Traditionally we take a kid shot on the couch for every birthday. Eliza joined for the first time... and failed miserably. I think she's plum worn out from all the birthday festivities. Oh well. We'll try better next birthday...

I love you Sam and Jonathan.

Fall Festivities

One of Jonathan and my favorite season is fall (with spring being a close tie) and now having Eliza for the fall has made it even sweeter. Here are some pics from our October/November...

beautiful fall leaves

Eliza's first fall :)

um, do you want to see my muscles?

Oh yes. We did it. Dressed our child up in a ridiculous costume. Ok, lets be honest, I found this outfit in a box of hand me downs (thanks Stacey) and put it on her three days after Halloween because we're lame parents and didn't even think of dressing our child up till after the fact but... we took pictures anyways. :)

sweetest little fairy ever

"Mom, I'm excited about Thanksgiving food already"