So Very Thankful

I know I say this every year, but I have so many things for which to be thankful.

My boys, who become more similar every day 

New babies

This is my friend and colleague Sarah's new baby boy.

He is a true blessing, and I love that he's wearing Trey's hat ! 

Old friends

Adam and I have known each other since he started teaching at Nellie Muir in Woodburn in 2001.  Little did we know that we attended Willamette together but did not know each other.  We have been friends through our years together in Woodburn, his move to Walla Walla, his move to Tennessee, and his return to Portland in 2011.  He and his family recently moved to Colorado for Jenny's job, and I am still pretty much in denial.  Just a few weeks ago he surprised me by saying he was coming into town for just a few hours.  I picked him up at the airport and we got some beers at Horse Brass.  It was so good to see him, but it just reminded me of how much I miss him.

Beautiful sunrises like this

They almost make the commute in the morning okay.  

Almost, but not quite.

My darling nephew, Case 

It's hard to believe he's 10 months old. 

I'm so thankful that I live so close to Julie.

I love that we only live a mile from each other, 

and that I can swing by and babysit at the last minute.

I know it would make our mom happy too.   

For Thanksgiving we roadtripped to Eugene to be with my dad and Sandy.  Grady came in our car, and we met Julie, Tim, and Case at my dad's.  It was such fun to be together as a family for Thanksgiving.

Road trips and iPads/tablets

How did people parent before? 

Getting settled in with his "village" 

Grandpa Gerts and his three boys 

An all-American Thanksgiving 

Trey's "quiet time" (since he wouldn't nap) 

The boys relaxing before dinner 

Trey had his own place at the table. 

Erika, Julie, and Sandy in the kitchen 

Grady and Grandpa 

The trampoline was one of the few things to tear Trey away from the screen. 

The boys jumping around 

Trying to get my boy to cooperate for a selfie 

He wasn't really in the mood...

too bad because his shirt was super cute. 

Daddy and Trey relaxing after dinner

Randy, Trey, and I drove home on Friday, and it was really nice to have the rest of the weekend at home.  Friday night we went to watch the Civil War game at Julie and Tim's, and Saturday Randy went fishing.  Trey and I went to swimming lessons and then to Mindy and Camille's for a little birthday playdate.  

Camille in her tent 

These two play so well together, 

and Mindy and I love to hear them make up stories.  

This is on Saturday when my house was clean for about...

five minutes.   

I convinced Julie and Tim to go out for a beer on Saturday afternoon, 

so I got to spend some time with all three boys.

I forget how close of an eye you have to keep on a 10 month old.  I honestly do not know how mamas stay home with three kids.  It might kill me. 

I have had my fair exposure to children's television over the past few years.  There are a few shows and videos that I actually enjoy.  This Will.i.am video on Sesame Street is one of them.  And I also like this one by Train.  

Sunday we went to Plumper Tree Farm to see our realtor at her Christmas party.  We also got our Christmas tree.  It was the first year we haven't gone to the corner tree stand, so it felt a little grown up.  Also a lot more work.

Trey searching for the perfect tree 

Being silly 

Some day I'll have to make a collage of our self portraits. 

A picture at the tree farm seems as obligatory as a picture at the pumpkin patch.

Tonight we decorated the tree.  My main concern is that Bailey is going to piss on it.  Trey had such fun helping me hang the ornaments, and we had a special moment on the couch with the lights off looking at the tree.  I'm so excited to spend this Christmas with him when he definitely "gets it" more than before.  We are going to have a great time this month.  Stay tuned!