Family Photos

I am so grateful for my family. I love photography, and really love this medium to express both of these loves at the same time. As this season kicks off, it makes me happy to dedicate the time to cooking, and trying new things, to watch my husband go decoration crazy, to have people over and share the wealth, and to just appreciate the life i live. So, some family came into town, and we had a hundred pictures taken. So, I thought I would share the wealth. I love that my son looks like a lighter version of his cousin Michael. (Helpful hint, just click to enlarge the picture if you want to see our ugly mugs up close)

These are three of the shots we decided to do Christmasy. It had all of the kids in it, from top to bottom, left to right it goes : Morgan, Mark, Mariah, Elena, James, Michael, Malcolm. Aren't they so cute? I bet every one of them is plotting on how to make Santa good to them this year, especially Malcolm.

I love his smile, he is always so excited. Every smile is almost a laugh, and now that he searches the house for me, and says mama, it is even cuter that his face lights up when he sees me. Not that he wasn't cute before, but look at that little guy! Can't you just picture him bouning up and down saying mamamamamama.

Oh, and on a side note, I am still incredulous that the sitter at the "Y" gave my 8 month old a graham cracker. For all she knew he could have been exclusively breast fed. Aren't they trained not to give babies food unless the parents o.k. it? Thank goodness my kid loves food, and isn't allergic to gluten. She even had the nerve to say "It really entertained him, but it took him forever to eat!" Well, duh lady. it was his first taste of hard food. I am sure he loved the way it felt on those emerging teeth, but he's gumming it for crying out loud. So I laughed about it later. Thank goodness I am not terribly uptight. I know some people who would have let her have what for. So, on that silly side note, my baby is becoming less and less baby like by the second. Tomorrow, he'll be driving.

Now, because I want you to look ridiculous while looking at these pictures, so that you turn your head sideways to see them, here are some of the three of us. If you have a favorite, please tell me, because I am deciding which one I want to get a mural of and post across my entire living room wall. (Not really, but it's gonna be big!)

Oh, and in case you ever wondered about the extended family, here's a taste of wat's on Tim's side, and by a taste I mean less than a tenth. None of my relatives by blood are in this shot but baby Mac, and well, I guess I should count Tim. But here is a thought. I think we are a pretty mixture of colors... But, I could not believe how red-headed my son looks. Poor kid, dark-skinned, red-headed, and green eyed. He will have a temper like the gods, and a stubborn streak to match his mama's. And that's saying something.

Here's to Variety, the spice of life!

Teeth and steps and turkey

So, Turkey Day is fast approaching, and lots of family is arriving shortly. With all of this holiday excitement, and an amazing growing baby, I have so much to be thankful for. I am grateful for a healthy little boy. He is trying so hard to walk, and always wants to be standing. He loves Jack's Big Music Show, and dances to the music. He is so cute!

He is also getting teeth, and I am thankful that I have never been bitten. He chews on his hands as his growing tooth itches, but he will not bite that which feeds him. He's so sweet. It's funny to me that the sound for mommy is still panting and snorting. That's how I know he wants to eat mama's milk. He also will complain if you don't respond back to him when he is talking to you. The dadas and mamas are plentiful, and hopefully he will use words soon instead of snorting at me. I feel like he's a bull getting ready to charge. But, he always has so much to say.

My husband loves this time of year, mostly for the fun things, and the buying frenzies. But, I am sure he is thankful for our little guy too. We've had some hard times, but I really think that our prayers have been answered from day 1. So, I am also grateful for 19 cent a pound turkeys too, that we are provided for. Yay for a full belly and two cute men. Life couldn't be better in our little home.

Oh, if I were so creative...

I don't know what I would do. But, if you want a little chuckle, here it is... http://norfolk.craigslist.org/fuo/926799510.html

Everyone should fry their snickers.

It's been too long since I have had a deep fried twinkie, or moonpie, or cookie dough, or snickers... but I had them all tonight! I have had enough sweets for the rest of the year. It was a great night to do it. We had people over to the house, and are watching the UFC fight. I can't wait for the Couture/Lesner fight. So, it was a great excuse to fry some yummy food, and boy was it good. So, of course we youtubed all of the old favorites while eating sweets and waiting for the fight to start. If you have too much time, you should youtube the baliwood thriller. But, I digress.
So, I was going through the photos of the week, and I got such cute 6 month pictures of the baby, I love how great he looks in them. I hope that the baseball cap makes him look more boyish. The curls will drive the girls grazy.

We also went to the zoo on Veteran's day for cousin Michael's third birthday. Malcolm could care less that there were cool animals there. He only had eyes for mama. Doesn't it make your heart melt?

I love fall, the change in the air, the leaves on the trees, the hoodies, snuggly clothes, down comforters, fun hats, and all that. So, I put Malcolm in the winter clothes bin with some toys so I could go through them, isn't he cute?

Oh, and Tim has named me the most embarrassing mom of the year. I can't help but have fun with my kid. I love to play, and so does he. Can't you tell by how happy he seems...? in spite of my embarrassing footage.

So, I can't say that I am ready for Thanksgiving, but the holiday season is fast approaching, and I love my life. 2009 Here we come! I have gotta go, the fight of the night is up, let's see how this goes, I sure hope Lesner doesn't win.