Thanksgiving in North Carolina

We flew, yes the four of us, to North Carolina to spend Thanksgiving with my Papaw, my parents, and my sister.  The flight there was stressful, not because Caleb was upset, but because he WOULD NOT SIT STILL!!  I think somebody slipped him some candy canes or something cause it was ridiculous.  He also liked trying to hear his voice as loud as he could get it over the engines.  The people on this 6am flight did not get to catch up on sleep like they planned.  When we arrived we spent four great days just spending time as a family and letting the boys soak up time with their great-papaw.  Thank goodness the boys slept for the flights home.

Are We There Yet???

 Aunt Teresa and Caleb

Papaw and Caleb work on a Jack-In-The-Box

 We visited Old Salem, NC (not witch hunt Salem) where the Moravians settled.  Very interesting culture.

The interactive tour featured Moravians in traditional attire making the delicious Moravian cookies...Yum!!

Also fresh bread...this place smelled so good!

Mommy and Adam cuddling at a dinner out.

Caleb helps us pack

Caleb's First Haircut

It only took him a year to need a haircut, but we got a little bit off for the baby book.  It's so fine that it was mostly just getting it above his eyes and off his ears.  What a wiggle worm.  Chris had to hold him, I did the cutting, and Adam documented with the camera.  

Caleb Turns 1

Last Saturday, Caleb left baby-hood.  He turned 1 and we had a great time thinking back over the last year with him...scroll back to last November and take a look.  We had a great party with "C" hanging from everywhere and bunches of great appetizers.  We had  family and friends help celebrate and he got some great books to build his library and some great toys to keep his attention.  Chris and I gave him his Graeme Base print for his room and the new Graeme Base book that just came out.  Then, this week the rough side of turning 1 is the well-visit at the doctor for all the shots.  He got 3 shots, his finger pricked to test for anemia, his first molar is popping out, and he had another ear infection.  Jeeze!!  In one year he's gone from 5#12oz.  to 19#15.5oz.    and  19 inches to 29 inches.  He's totally walking now and likes to chase his brother everywhere!!  He also loves to make noise of any kind.  I really love the way he views the world.  He literally stares at everything until he figures it out.  We love you so much Caleb and we're so proud of you!!

Licking the cake batter

 Appetizers!!!!

Candles are mesmerizing aren't they?!

I Win!!

C,C,C,C,C,C,C everywhere!

Caleb Walks!!

For the last month, Caleb has been taking 2-3 steps, but no more. He was very cautious and did not trust himself that he could walk on his own.  Then,  for the last week, he's created his own practice schedule and hasn't looked back.  He is walking all over this house.  He's still working on his balance, but practices more and more each day!  So, it's official, he's walking.  He also likes to open any cabinet or drawer and pull junk out!!

Chris Makes Paella

Delicious seafood paella (spanish jambalaya) cooked on the grill with shrimp and king crab.  Yum!!  We're going step by step on this one. 

Cook the onions

 Add the bell pepper

Add the stock

Add the shrimp

Add the crab

 

Enjoy!!!  Thanks Laura for making this possible!!

Happiest Halloween

This year we bailed on our neighborhood for Halloween.  We've learned the past few years that there just aren't that many houses in our neighborhood that participate.  So...some friends invited us to their neighborhood which they said is awesome for trick-or-treating.  Adam and their twins are just a few weeks apart and love playing together.  So, after Fall Fest at our church we headed over and that neighborhood didn't disappoint.  It was AMAZING!!   I have never seen that many children dressed up in fantastic costumes walking around and that many houses in one neighborhood so into Halloween. We walked down two whole streets where every house was decorated and had someone in costume sitting out front handing out candy.  Some houses were silly, some were scary, and not one intimidated Adam.  He and his friend ran to each house for the entire 2 hours we trick-or-treated.  He would yell after they finished every house, "Hey Bo,   let's go trick-or-treating!!"  Caleb sat in the stroller and was very content watching the masses of children in costume walk by.  I can't wait until next year when Caleb is able to walk up to houses too.  You could tell he was just longing to follow the bigger boys.  Halfway through, we had to empty Adam's pumpkin b/c it was too heavy for him.  Chris and I had a blast watching both of them have so much fun with this holiday. 
(sorry about the blurry pics.  My camera had a hard time focusing)

Adam doing the Candy Bar Walk at our Fall Fest

 Caleb watching the Candy Bar Walk

Trying to bite the donut on a string.  Notice the other boys hand holding Adam's hand down.  Adam kept trying to cheat!! 

 Sharing his donut.  So cute! 

I couldn't get either of them to look at the camera b/c they were fascinated with all the kids in costume walking by.

Just one of the great houses we visited!!  So Fun!!

The loot!! 

(I've got to get this out of the house fast...it's too dangerous to have so accessible)

Saturday At The New Park

We brought bikes to this new park in Baton Rouge designed especially for wheels this Saturday.  They have a huge concrete area with rails, fake swimming pools, hills,etc. for skateboards and trick bikes.  There's a competition dirt bike course, a huge rock wall, and a alternative playground...none of those merry-go-rounds and swings here!!  Adam and Chris rode the path all around the park on their bikes while Caleb and I shared a bottle.  Then we watched while Adam explored the playground.  We will be hanging out at this place often!!