Thanksgiving Thanks

This Thanksgiving is the most unusual one in recent memory.  No turkey, stuffing, or any of the fixin's.  I'm boarding a plane with my three children and leaving Texas.  Although I am incredibly sad to leave my family and friends here, I am most grateful to once again be a complete family. 

Cannon 5 Months

 You and your brothers.  You three are what get me out of bed in the morning.  I mean literally--out of bed-- there is no sleeping-in with you boys. And, although getting up so early is not my favorite thing to do, it makes it a lot easier waking up to your three smiling faces.  I couldn't ask for a better baby.  You are the sweetest, snuggliest, patient-est, happiest baby boy!

 You have your first cold.  It was kindly passed from Gavin to you, and to Harrison, then to me, and finally anyone else within a twenty mile radius.  The snot I'm getting from your nose is snot funny. 

 You have found your toes!  

 I am putty in your hands when you look at me like this.  You seal the deal when you reach for my face and pat my cheeks. 

You smile and we all smile with you.

It Was Time

 It's no secret that I'm in love with Gavin's hair.  When those dark blonde curls started forming at nine months, it was love at first sight.  But, something has happened to his hair over the past year.  Those curls faded and left me dying for them to come back! Sometimes I'm a little slow on the pick-up, it takes me a little longer to see what others have noticed for a while. Sure, my first clue he needed a haircut should've been when I was questioned if he was a boy or a girl.  My second could've been the rat's nest I've had to tame every morning for months. When I got this picture back, I couldn't believe what I saw!  There is but one lone curl left on the left side of his head. How have I allowed my son's hair to look like this?  And why hasn't anyone stopped me??  He is going to hate me when he sees this picture (and a bazillion others just like it) as a teenager. 

  I finally said goodbye.

With the promise of two Dum-Dum's, he patiently let G-Jo get to work.

New and maybe not-so-improved Gavin!

This is his 'man pose.'  I've tried to tell him men don't put their hands on their hips like that or sashay their other hand, but he doesn't listen.  So, Gavin, when you're older, I'll take the blame for the hair, but the questionable posing?  That's all you, son. 

Homecoming and Halloween

 Papa Bruiser came home Halloween weekend and life was just how I remembered it, only sweeter.  We were all so grateful just to be together.  The boys wrestled and played video games, they had their buddy back doing their boy thing again!  Anytime Steve left the room Gavin was left looking around saying, "where my daddy go?" The homecoming reaffirmed what I already knew, that life runs smoother and is copacetic when we're together.

 With Captain America, Spider Man, and Flash to take care of me I will be protected for life!

 Our trick-or-treaters patiently sat for a picture before before getting started.

 

 We went trick-or-treating in G-Jo's neighborhood again this year.  The neighborhood really gets into the spirit of Halloween--making it so entertaining.  A couple houses even turned their garages into mini haunted houses!  G-Jo made a picnic in the backyard so our little monsters would have some nutrition before eating copious amounts of candy. 

 Cannon's Flash mask was his low-light of the night, but his highlight was getting a ride on Daddy.  

 Scary monster! This freaked out Mario and Luigi (Evan and Ian)

 Sweet baby!  Trick-or-treating is exhausting.

 I don't know how many houses we went to, but after every single house Gavin would run towards us screaming, "Mom, Mom, I GOT CAAANNNDDY!!!"  That pure, complete excitement is what makes kids the best and so fun be around.  It was definitely my highlight of the night.  

 We told Harrison this was his one day a year he could eat as much candy as he wanted.  And eat he did!  He ate and ate and ate until he finally pushed away from the table and said, "I have a belly ache."  I told him that he was probably going to poop a Snickers bar the next day. 

 Even Cannon got in on the action having a couple licks of a Dum-Dum.  

Spidey was worn out and had to be carried into bed by Dad.  Steve left before the kids woke the next morning which was a good idea, I don't think either of us could have handled the tears.  Our visit was a reminder of how bonded our family is and how truly thankful we will be when we're all together again.