Preparations

This is the first year that we get to have a Thanksgiving at home, our home.  Though we will miss being around our families we are excited to have some holidays here at home, start some traditions and it makes me feel all grown-up :)

We do get to have a few of Tyler's siblings here which will be fun and a few families from our church will be joining us as well.   This week has been filled with shopping, preparations for our feast, and lots of fun memories and moments as a family.

I love cooking, so for the most part have been excited about getting to host Thanksgiving this year.  I also have the best kitchen help around.

Neal is very helpful and loves to cook with me and Gwendolyn just smiles and then falls asleep (which is the best help you could ask for from an infant).

Now it's Wednesday night and we are all ready for tomorrow.  Our turkey is brining, cranberry sauce is made, pie is baked and everything else is ready to assemble and cook tomorrow.

Looking forward to a day with the family, friends, football and good food.  Happy Thanksgiving!

2 Months

Gwendolyn is 2 months old already!   She is such a joy to have in our family and we can hardly remember what life was like before she was here.

Neal has done so much better then I ever thought transitioning into the roll of a big brother.  He is so sweet to Gwendolyn and is always trying to help care for her and make sure she is happy.   He also wants to be right by her side as much as possible.

Over the last few months there have been dozens of things that he has done and said that just show how much he loves his sister, such as:

"Gwendolyn is my favorite person, I sure love baby Gwen" 

 Neal was singing this in his bedroom the night we got home from the hospital with Gwen.  

"I just love to hold sissy's hand" 

He holds her hand every time we are in the car.  

Gwendolyn started crying while we were watching TV and Neal sat in front of her and said: 

"I'm blocking sissy 'cause she is scarred of what is on the TV, I don't want her to be scared"  

"Do you have a smile for your brother, a smile just for me, just for me" 

Whenever she is awake he loves to get right next to her and talk with her and make her smile.  

The last few months have been filled with lots of change, but they have been the best few months. Change is good, especially when it comes by way of the wonderful blessing of children.

A Mountain Escape

Everyone needs a little escape sometimes.  I small vacation/get away from normal everyday life.  Time to relax, and retreat.  As our family moves forward into a busy season of ministry and travel (for Tyler) we decided it was important to take a small weekend trip away as a family, and that is just what we did.

A few weekends ago we were able to drive out to the Black Mountains and spend the weekend away from home with just the four of us.

The fall colors were pretty, the air was crisp, the weather was beautiful and the peace and quite was wonderful.  Yes, even with a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 month old we found some peace and quiet.

We filled the few days we had in the mountains with very few activities.  We visited a small animal nature center and took a hike through the woods.  The rest of the time we spent just relaxing, reading and napping.  

Our favorite part of the trip had to be our hike and jumping in leaf piles.

I am so thankful that we got to have this time away together and for the fun we had exploring the North Carolina mountains as a family.

A Month Already

I feel as if time is flying by faster then possible.  How is it that our little girl is already over a month old?!?

The change to a family of four wasn't the only change in this house.  The biggest change I feel like we have seen over the last month is how Neal has gone from toddler to "little man", especially when you see Neal and Gwendolyn together.

I forgot how quickly the "newborn" stage goes away.  Already Gwendolyn is growing up, more alert each day and sleeping longer and longer at night (I do love the nighttime sleeping).

Each day she looks older and I can't believe she joined our family over a month ago.

(Gwendolyn at 2 week old)

(Gwendolyn at 1 month old)