Thanksgiving, Part I: The People

Of course, as most of you know, the highlight of our family's Thanksgiving this year was my mom and dad's six grandchildren. Particularly the three babies, Cora (4/24), Ryan (5/5), and Anakin (5/28). They were all pure joy. Happy babies. Bradford and McCance and Lexi had their first real playtimes together since Lexi is 3 now. We missed the Monte, Tony, and Tim Page branches of our family this year, but the rest was represented even if not pictured. (Missed you Aaron and Lara!)

L to R: Anakin, Alisa, and Ryan

Anakin with Mommy Cara
(I love this sweet picture.)

Daddy Evan with Ryan

Daddy Evan and Lexi
Yes, he's putting a clip in her hair! What a dad!

Sweet Brenna with Anakin
I sure wish she lived a bit closer. I could use her help and her company.

L to R: Bradford, Ryan, Cora, Anakin, and McCance

Auntie Alisa with Anakin

Grandma Carole

Anakin the Slobbery One

Clockwise from L (in a spiral): McCance, Alisa, Thaddeus, Stephanie,
Evan, Bradford, Lexi, Anakin, and Ryan

L to R, front row: Lexi, Stephanie, Cora, Alisa, McCance, Carole, Anakin, and Cara
L to R, back row: Ryan, Evan, Bradford, Scott, Terry, and Thaddeus

Believe it or not, this was a sparse attendance at the Page family Thanksgiving.

Cora and Ryan sharing the toy while Anakin chills.

They really enjoyed the giraffe's neck, which was actually my toy as a baby.

McCance, Cora, Ryan, Bradford, and Anakin
Lexi was more interested in learning to be a photographer.

Notice Lexi helping Auntie Cara take pictures, plus Grandma Carole,
Evan, and Sara (our official photographer) while Steph and I
try to get them to look up towards the cameras.

'Twas the Day Before Thanksgiving. . .

Cinnamon Rolls

Notice the handwritten recipe from my grandma.

These were so yummy. I made them quite a bit later than my grandma ever would have. (Hers were always ready bright and early for breakfast. Mine were more late morning snack.) No one here seemed to mind they were gone before the day was over.

Free Play--random moments

Cora crawled right onto the lower shelf on the coffee table yesterday.

She was after a garbage bag full of clothes (that I was in the midst of organizing). When I moved it, she found something else to occupy her, but then needed help getting down.

That joyful Bradford smile. Of course, it's directed at Cora.

I love this picture, although it isn't of playtime at all. It's just a picture of a mommy loving on her sweet boy as he has a difficult time.

Sir Bradford the Knight--
complete with Lego shield, spear and sword

Train time

Cora eats the blocks that aren't being used.

Cora's Baptism

Cora is sitting in the child's rocker that my great-grandfather Bradford made for my grandmother. She's wearing the baptismal gown that belonged to the husband of my great aunt Hazel,
probably dating back to the 1890s.

Our family before the service

Cora was listening and watching Pastor Jerry closely.

Our Athens family stood with us--Cindy and Bekah Sobel, and Rachel and the Seuser family. (You can see "little Scott" peeking in front.)

The walk to "meet" the congregation who will support her and us in prayer.

The actual baptism: The water flattened all of those curls on top for a bit.

Being prayed for like this is such a blessing.

All the excitement wore out Miss Cora.

Holding Daddy's hand as she napped

More Apples

We managed to devour every last apple that we bought several weekends ago. Well, some are in applesauce form in the freezer, but gone from availability nonetheless. After those Cameos, the grocery store variety apples weren't going to cut it for the family. So, we traveled to the mountains again, this time near Tallulah Falls, for some Pink Ladies. Perfect with some peanut butter. Or without.

Hanging In the Ergo

Cora loves to be down scooting around in the action until she gets tired. Then she might be willing to sit in the bouncy seat for a bit, although she's nearly too big, trying to sit up in it. So I just pop her onto my back in the Ergo, and go on with what I am doing.

The other day I was determined to finish the apple pie I had started--Cora might know how to make a yummy apple pie by the time she's two. However, she fell asleep for a catnap.

They Say. . .

that every baby is different. Well, I *know* that is true. And now I'm reminded of it once again.

Bradford was 5 months old and reaching for our food, acting very interested in eating. So we got some rice cereal and he ate it. Tried bananas, applesauce, peas. . . everything that babies start out eating. He liked it all. Ate it all happily and willingly. McCance--pretty much the same thing, except his first food was avocado.

Cora--avocado was her first food--at 6 months. She was less than thrilled. Banana--not so much. Ate a bit of applesauce. Even seemed to enjoy it. Tried the standard rice cereal. "Don't be ridiculous, Mama." Maybe applesauce with the rice cereal? Nope. So, we go back to applesauce. "No way. Not anymore. I did it once." We tried avocado again. She spits out everything, if I get it into her mouth. She mostly sits with her lips pressed tightly together.

I do know she'll come around when she's ready, but it is a tad bit frustrating. On the bright side, she loves to drink water from a glass. And actually swallows. And screams when we take the glass from her.

Leaf Play

Bradford and McCance went outside to rake leaves one afternoon. I was being brave and got the rakes out for them. (Brave because I could envision some brotherly activities, we'll say, with two leaf rakes. Use your own imagination.) Thankfully they showed that they were responsible and used the rakes only for the leaves. They made a good sized pile then buried each other in the it. Bradford came in to ask me to help him find McCance. When I went out by the pile, McCance popped out. They had a wonderful time.