Now I do really care a bit more if our house burns down! A family at church gave us the amazing gift of an oil portrait of Charlotte! www.leonloard.com The photography sitting back in late October was so much fun and we were able to keep all the proofs, too. This was one of the last shots he took and we just loved it. It's close to life-size and now we are just trying to figure out a way to hang it on this pesky old plaster. Charlotte is very proud of it. When we went to pick it up, our friend said to her, "Who is that in the portrait?" and Charlotte hid behind me and smiled. It's neat to see her recognize how special it is!

Fun in the water table area!

Ford loved the view from the baby backpack and the stroller! He loved watching all the kids the most.

James climbed right in, but Charlotte was hesitant because the fish "was too stinky!"

James loves trains now and they had a special model train exhibit that was a hit! He was frustrated that he couldn't get in to play with Thomas and Percy, but they had several train tables set up for children to play with which was a good compromise. It was really quiet and we had the place almost to ourselves.

We went up to the McWane Center in Birmingham yesterday with friends from Montgomery, to visit some friends who recently moved up there. It was so fun! www.mcwanecenter.org

James loved the marine life exhibits in their aquarium.

The eel was a favorite with all the kids!

And here is James at about a year old...Couldn't leave him out! But I guess as you read this these will be first instead of third. So, scroll down to see Ford and Charlotte :)
I love to line up pictures and compare. They look related, don't you think??!

Here is little Charlotte at 11 months in the tub of our apartment in Seminary. She loves ducks and we used this picture for her first b.d. party invitation. She's holding the ducky Ford is holding below :)

Ford is 10 months old! I love the natural light in our hall bath. He enjoys the tub, as long as James is not in there with him and the water is not running ! He's starting waving "Hi" and babbles "Mama" a lot now (yeah!) He may be our biggest eater yet. LOVES food, especially what we are eating. We're having a great time watching him grow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVE! If I wait one more day to put this outfit on Ford, he will be too big! He had his 9 month check-up this week and is just shy of 20 lbs. (double his birth weight!) and 30 inches long I think. Four big teeth on top, two on bottom, and commando-crawling everywhere! It will be a fun visit at Nina and Big Jim's this time since he is mobile...

And here is Charlotte...just can't resist the camera not being on her :) More pictures of tomorrow to come!

We celebrated our 6th anniversary yesterday! I love my husband who loves me so well and the gift from God that blesses me more as each year passes.

As unto the bow the cord is,
So unto the man is woman:
Though she bends him, she obeys him;
Though she draws him, yet she follows;
Useless each without the other.

- Henry Wadworth Longfellow

Charlotte and I spent Saturday afternoon making "Cinnamon Bundt Cake" loaves for our friends and neighbors. My mom used to make this for special occasions and it makes the house smell heavenly! My cousin Katie brought a cake to Amy and I Monday when I was up in Virginia visiting and it inspired me to make some for Christmas gifts. Charlotte is wearing my apron I wore as a child, too.

Oh, and there is the beautiful cypress from below in our dining room all lit up :)

Sy has been wanting to get rid of this cypress tree to make more room for his compost/garden/etc. and we thought we'd see if it would make a good Christmas tree. It looks great in our dining room and I'll post a picture once we've finished the lights and ornaments this afternoon. It is pretty funny that we cut down our own tree...from our backyard :)

Timber!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James "helped" Sy trim the tree up using his whiffle ball bat. He will look for any excuse to hit things with the bat!

We enjoyed some time in the backyard on Thursday playing in the leaves and swinging! It was a gorgeous day and we always love having Sy around on Thursdays, his day off.

Charlotte worked hard sweeping leaves into piles on the porch...which James promptly rode his Diego bike through!

Happy Thanksgiving! We had Sy's parents here and got a quick visit today with his sister Jennifer and our nephew Caid. Can't wait for Christmas!