Thanksgiving 2013.

My favorite holiday -- I love the food and it's in the absolute best time of the year FALL! It doesn't feel as hectic as Christmas, and there is no pressure in gift giving or decorating. We rotate Thanksgivings between our two families and have the other family over for dinner the night before. That way we get to see everyone and celebrate with everyone but we also have time with each family and time to enjoy the day.

It was the Nichols turn to be at our house on Wednesday night and we doubled up the fun by celebrating Doc's birthday. Buck and I handled the food (our current standard meal for a large group -- Pioneer Woman ranch chicken sandwiches, crunchy ramen slaw, and potato casserole). And Lulu brought Baby Bites for dessert. It was a great meal with great company -- everyone was able to attend including Buck's grandmother, aunt, and two cousins. Because we were hosting I really didn't get great pictures -- I was running around in host mode but loving every minute. I love that the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is our "thing" and we are setting a family tradition of our own.

Enjoying the Baby Bites.

This guy dove in head first to the Baby Bites -- eating them in one bite. It was hilarious, and we had to cut him off after two.

On Thanksgiving morning, we decorated our house for Christmas! Sneaky Buck went to get a Christmas tree the day before. And, despite my suggestion that we all go for the "Christmas tree experience" he assured me that the boys would not be impressed by a trip to our local Whole Foods -- probably right! It was a really fun activity for Thanksgiving day, and I hope it is a new tradition for us. It was so nice to look ahead to Christmas and have our house decorated before the beginning of Advent. After Small Fry's nap we went to my parents' house for Thanksgiving with the Leavers. It was our first holiday in their new house -- and it's great for entertaining. My grandparents couldn't make it because my grandfather is receiving chemo for lymphoma. But, Uncle Ben and Aunt Allison were there. And my mom's sister and my cousin came by to visit. It was a quiet, calm, lovely Thanksgiving.

Pops has been teaching Fawn to play card games. Here he and Buck are playing Go Fish. Fawn's little hands can't hold all of his cards, hence the barricade.

Sweet turkey playing with dominoes.

Happy, happy, happy.

Brothers at play (the calm before the war over dominoes).

Happy Thanksgiving!

Small Fry's First Alabama Football Game.

We took the boys to Tuscaloosa for the Alabama/UT-Chattanooga game. Actually, we met in Tuscaloosa. Buck and Fawn came from the farm and Small Fry and I came from home -- a perfect meet in the middle.

We arrived just in time for the game -- no tailgating or eating at the Phi Gam house. Only football was on the agenda. We wanted them to last as long as possible at the actual game. It was a cold, windy day with a little drizzle. But, nothing too bad. The boys enjoyed the experience, but easily tired of the game. We only made it one quarter in our seats and then ran around down by the field until Buck and I were tired of manhandling them. Then it was back to the farm for Buck and Fawn and home for my nugget and me.

They really did try to pay attention.

These boys love the Tide.

Small Fry had no idea what to do with the shaker Fawn insisted we purchase.

Fawn currently believes he will play football for Alabama. And Alabama will never ever lose another game. Ever.

Wiggle worm.

Watching from the tunnel.

Love him and love making family memories.

Proud Pilgrim.

Two years ago I remember going to my first Thanksgiving program (really my first program of any sort) at Covenant Day School. Fawn was a turkey -- and a very reluctant one at that. I thought the whole thing was a little ridiculous -- arriving early to save a seat, a total waste of a school day for Fawn, and the hype and effort of the undertaking. But, the program itself is precious. The children are adorable and it really is an occasion that creates special memories.

Fawn missed his program last year -- home sick! And, he was sad to miss it. This year, he was excited about it. He talked of it often and told me he couldn't sing me the songs yet because he didn't want to ruin the surprise. Sweet thing was a pilgrim -- and a very proud one. I arrived extra early to get a great seat, a great view, and great photo ops. Fawn was not shy at all -- he sang every word and did every hand motion. I was a proud mama!

The Program

Fawn and his sweet class. While I don't know any of the girls, it is just the greatest group of little boys for Fawn to play with.

Singing with joy -- next to his good buddy Denton.

Love.

Something about this profile just makes me swoon -- there's still glimpses of "littleness" here that I love.

After the program, we all go back to the classrooms for snacks.

So blurry! But, mommy was there sweet boy to cheer you on.

Fawn and his AMAZING teachers -- Miss Rachael and Miss Amy. They are the best! I am so thrilled we got them.

Fawn, "John Getty" (we refer to him by first and last name...all the time), and Luke.

Fawn and Pearson. These two have been in the same class every year at Covenant!

Fawn and his new best friend Hamp. Sweet boy with a precious mama.

We had many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Included in our many blessings is Covenant Day School, the amazing teachers and sweet families we share this experience with.

Carolina Reunion.

We went to Chapel Hill the second weekend in November for Homecoming and my pledge class reunion. Buck was such a trooper and supportive husband. I have to admit that I was a bit hesitant to go -- for several reasons. One, it's a lot of money to travel and since I'm not really working right now I hate to waste our family resources that Buck works so hard to earn. Two, I never ever like the idea of being away from my children; when I get away I enjoy my time away but instead of looking forward to a bit of a break, I burden myself with worries and what ifs. And finally, over the past several years, as we've gotten more and more involved in our church, Buck and I have developed the nicest, most fun, genuinely wonderful group of friends. They are our friends in the here and now -- the ones walking through life with us at this very moment. So, it seemed unnecessary to me to take a walk down memory lane and invest in those relationships -- the ones that were -- and not the ones that currently are. Buck quickly dismissed the first two reasons, and one of my best friends dismissed the third.

I am so glad they did! Catching up with old friends was wonderful for my soul. Buck and I had a blast -- a really great, fun time. And, I fell in love with Buck even more. Let me explain. While I could write pages and pages of the wonderful things about Buck, he would be the first to tell you that he's a creature of comfort. He was thrust out of his comfort zone -- to a group of my old friends I never see any more now coupled up with new spouses and boyfriends that were new to both of us. And these guys...they were nothing like Buck. Many were from New York or Chicago. They were not outdoorsmen or football fans. They were certainly not good ole boys (and Buck is the epitome of a good ole boy). They wore skinny pants, tight blazers and converse sneakers. Buck wore boots -- working boots for a farm. But not only did he roll with it -- he embraced it. He had fun, got to know the other guys, and opened himself up. I have not been prouder of him in a long time. So Buck, if you still read this blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Seriously. You amazed me!

Before you get a big head, one thing that didn't amaze me was your unwillingness to follow the speed limit. But, alas, I digress.

Friday night was spent at my friend Mary Owen's house in Chapel Hill where we ate pizza and caught up. Those of us that had left our kids at home met up with the guys at Top of the Hill for a fun trip down memory lane.

Saturday we went to the KD house -- it looked so beautiful. While in some ways it felt like a lifetime since I lived there, in other ways it felt like I walked through those halls and ate in that dining room yesterday. I got to glimpse at my old room and the memories -- they flooded. Still my starkest memory of that year in the KD house is September 11, 2001. I can remember watching the news coverage in the tv room surrounded by my nearest and dearest friends -- and somehow that it was better that we were all together. I can remember leaving the house to go to the Presbyterian church next door (where I attended as a college student) to pray. I can remember writing to Buck all my fears in the dark of my bedroom.

Some of my pledge sisters at the KD homecoming brunch.

Buck and me outside the KD house.

After the KD house, we went to a tailgate right by the bell tower. The beauty of Carolina never leaves you -- and it was a pretty fall day that didn't disappoint. Then it was the football game, and I think Buck was one of the most enthusiastic fans in the stadium. I had forgotten just how different it is than SEC football. We left early in the third quarter and headed back to Top of the Hill where we hung out and I got to meet up with dear friends from Dance Marathon -- I wasn't expecting to see them too but saw on Facebook that they would be there. (Darn that Facebook -- I want to hate it but it's things like this that make me realize it's value!) Buck and I then strolled back through campus where I saw my freshman year dorm. These places, these sights, they are part of me. They make up my story. And, I felt so complete being there again after such a long time.

At the tailgate.

Football Game (UNC v. UVA -- or the "nerd bowl" as Buck dubbed it).

Obligatory photo in front of the Old Well.

Saturday night was a cocktail hour and dinner, which was lovely -- good food, great company. The Alabama/LSU game was going on at the time. (Yes, Buck WILLINGLY CHOSE to miss the game to go to Chapel Hill with me. Have I mentioned I love this man?) Buck would check the tv and then check back into the dinner conversation -- he was a perfectly good sport and let his Roll Tide's be known throughout the restaurant.

We headed home Sunday -- with great memories and I'd like to think a renewed bond. It's great to be reminded where you've been.

Happy Halloween!

I loved that Small Fry and Fawn were home from school on Halloween and we got the day to play and enjoy each other! Plus, that meant they weren't too tired from school to enjoy the afternoon and evening activities.

We started the day with pumpkin painting. While Small Fry was just too young to participate in carving, both boys (who are artistic and love a craft!) loved painting pumpkins on our deck. Small Fry painted two pumpkins and Fawn painted three. While they were occupied doing that, I finished our Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pumpkins. (Okay, so I can completely admit that I went way overboard with the pumpkins this year...but it was fun!).

We spent the rest of the morning playing and doing laundry before I put Small Fry down for a super-early nap. We needed him to get his resting out of the way so we could head to Crestline and enjoy the Halloween parade. It was our first time going to the Crestline parade and we had a blast! We will definitely make it a yearly occurrence. We parked at a friend's house and walked down Dexter to catch the parade on Church Street. It was both boys' very first parade experience -- and they were spoiled because the costumes and floats were so cute and everyone was tossing candy and other Halloween goodies.

Waiting for the parade.

Our street party was a pizza party this year -- perfect for my little Ninja Turtles. We enjoyed some neighbor time and then the annual costume contest. Fawn won AGAIN. Fun, but now he thinks he should win every year so I'm bracing myself for the letdown.

Pizza!

Their favorite food (seriously).

Buck is thinking, "How in the world did she convince me to wear this?"

Turtle parents.

Costume contest. Really Small Fry? What costume? Fawn is serious as always.

And the winner is....with his first can of silly string. Big time!

Speaking of costumes, we decided that we would go as the four Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Fawn as Raphael, Small Fry as Leonardo, Buck as Donatello and me as Michaelangelo. Fawn and Small Fry both seemed so pumped about their costumes -- they would put them on occasionally in the afternoon and Fawn would sing the theme song while Small Fry shouted "turtle power." They did not like their turtle shells though. I didn't buy grown-up costumes, but instead made shells out of cardboard for Buck and me. And, I made everyone a mask out of felt (the masks that came with the boys' costumes were not comfortable at all!). In true toddler fashion, though, on the actual day of Halloween (when the costumes matter), Small Fry completely rejected his. It wasn't worth the fight, but sadly we do not have a family shot of the turtles. Oh well!

We still had a great Halloween and the threat of rain held off while we got some trick-or-treating done. Buck started off with both of the boys while I handed out candy (actually Halloween gummies this year). Then, I took Fawn to some extra houses because he was determined to fill his pumpkin to the top with candy while Buck and Small Fry held down the home front.

Fun Halloween with my best buddies!

Pumpkin Carving '13.

The weekend before Halloween was pumpkin carving time. Fawn was chomping at the bit to get his pumpkins carved for Halloween. I may or may not have gone a little overboard with pumpkin purchasing this year, so Buck had his work cut out for him. He ended up carving four pumpkins with Fawn -- now that's super dad! Buck and I decided it was a good activity for just Fawn -- and decided to set aside Sunday afternoon during Small Fry's nap for the festivities.

Buck and I shared scooping duty -- Fawn would have no part of the "goop".  Fawn was the creative director, if you will. Giving directions and approving designs. He was so proud of his completed pumpkins (as was Buck!). A great activity with our big boy!

Demonstrating the perfect pumpkin face.

Directions from Fawn.

Getting excited.

I love this look of happy satisfaction.

We got this precious stencil from Fawn's school to make a Christian-themed pumpkin.

His joy is contagious.

Happy boy.

Proud daddy.

Blessed mommy.

Ta Da!

Twenty-One Month Update.

Small Fry is so close to the two-year mark. I cannot believe it. He is showing his age in his tantrums (not often, but wow he can fuss if he wants to!) and his strong-will. He is turning into his own little person and we are loving watching him grow.

We have developed the sweetest bedtime routine. Small Fry really looks forward to his reading now (thank goodness!). He loves to read anything by Eric Carl or Sandra Boynton, plus Dear Zoo, Hop on Pop, and a Mickey Mouse Halloween book we have. We mix it up some, but always try to include a couple of his favorites. Unlike Fawn who would sit on my lap and snuggle for as long as I would read to him, Small Fry likes his independence -- preferring most nights to sit in his own chair while I read. He can be quite the snuggler and still gives the best hugs, so it's not that he's not affectionate. There's just something about story time -- he sits by himself and listens. Too funny! When it's time to put him in his crib, he insists on hugs from me and usually Buck or Fawn also. Then he makes me kiss each of the stuffed animals (elephant, doggie, other doggie, kitty cat, bunny, giraffe, monkey) plus his blanket and a big stuffed ball goodnight. After this is complete, he finally lays down and insists that I "wub back". After a few minutes of back rubbing I can escape until morning.

Small Fry's newest obsession is socks! Now that it's a bit cooler here in Alabama, he is wearing socks and tennis shoes or socks and closed-winter Crocs. He loves his socks and wants to check and see if everyone else is wearing socks too. One thing he doesn't quite comprehend is that when socks are folded together in his drawer, there are two socks there. He always tries to pick two pair so he has the "ow one" ("other one"). In other clothing news, he hates a john-john and loves "separates". He totally loses his mind when I put him in a precious, southern, little boy outfit. I have to bring him off the brink with some sort of bribe -- like a lollipop or some gummies. He sure does look cute though!

Balls are still his favorite toys. He's a little southern boy saying "hut hut" every time he throws a ball these days. Every ball is a "baseball". And, when it comes to trucks, buses, things that move, every big vehicle is a "dump truck". Fawn finds it hilarious when Small Fry calls a school bus a "dump truck". He's trying!

While I know he is loving school based on the awesome feedback I get from his sweet teachers (Miss Wanda, Miss Dee and Miss Brittany), from how happy he is when I pick him up, and the funny things he says about school, this boy is so dramatic during drop off. Crying and begging me to "holg mama" ("hold mama"). I think it is a game because I have been assured that he stops the drama instantaneously. It still tugs at my heart strings, though.

Small Fry is still loving story time at the library. He's become much braver at the park -- wanting to try and do things that seem way too big for my "baby". He's loving time at the zoo -- preferring the monkeys, giraffes and elephants. Fawn is still his most favorite person in the entire world; he loves his brother something fierce and wants to be with him as much as possible. Don't get me wrong, they can and do fight. And, Small Fry knows how to bring the drama! But, it is just what I pictured and wanted for my little boys who will live life as brothers.

He is loud, loud, loud and funny, funny, funny! He keeps us all in stitches and on our toes. He is a little dynamo and wears us out. But, we cannot imagine our lives without his love, energy, and laughter. He is such a gift and truly completes us.