1.0 and 3.5

             Emory turned one year old last week! She is working on getting her sixth tooth right now and has taken 21 steps, but prefers to crawl still. At her one-year check-up, she weighed 18# 12 oz (25%ile), was 29 inches long (33%ile) and her head is in the 55th %ile.

 

     Grady turned 3.5 this month! He started playing on a basketball team.

       He really enjoyed the practices, but at the first game he was really scared when the loud buzzer buzzed. We had to go home in the middle of the game!

       For the next week, I simulated buzzer noises intermittantly around the house using my voice and an iPad app to get him used to the noise. At the next game, he was afraid to go, but I told him we would ask if they could not use the buzzer. (They offered to last time, but it was too late.) They agreed not to use the buzzer, but I think Grady was anxious the whole time. He came off the court a few times, but ended up finishing out the game. After the game, the coach took them into the "locker room" for a pep talk and to give them their "stars" for their individual achievement. Kids got the defense star and the offense star, but Grady got a white star for "Christ-likeness". He is following in his dad's footsteps who received the trophy "Best Christian Witness" on his high school basketball team. Like father, like son!

 

 

Christmas Part 2

     After Christmas we spent some time at the cabin. Grady brought his lion costumes and the boys had fun "scaring" everyone.

          We all went to the Stumphouse Tunnel.  Grady was not in this pic because he hightailed of it outta there! (There were some scary noises. I think it was his cousins making ghost sounds.)

         Here are the kids getting ready for their treasure hunt.

                   That night we cooked out hotdogs...

    and s'mores.

          Emory had a cough, but came out for a bit in her super-warm Georgia fleece.

       Later, everyone piled into the truck for a "hayride" around the lake.

            The rest of the time, everyone was glued to their electronic devices...

Christmas Part 1

             Grady had a little Christmas program at school. Ms. Tiffany told the story of Christ's birth and had everyone on the edge of their seats.  Then the kids sang a few songs.

       
        The Whites visited and we had Christmas with them.  Here are the kids looking through their loot.

         Ellen gave Grady this cute lion costume she made for Alex and Andrew many years ago.

         Christmas morning was just us four.

        Grady and dad trying out his new rocket launcher. (He likes to wear that lion costume.)

         This was dad and Grady's invention- new truck with 4 rockets and Dora "seat-belted" in the truck bed with duct tape.

         Sunday morning in their Christmas finery.

11 Months and S'mores

             This little one is 11 months old! This is her, "I'm tired and cold" look.   

        We went to the Festival of Lights on her 11 mo. birthday and enjoyed the lights, train ride and s'mores

          Emory still has only the 4 teeth, has taken 3 steps, and can do "all done" and "more" signs, although I am not sure she is meaning what she says. (She is never all done eating these days. She will eat and eat.)  She may even be saying "all done", but I am not entirely sure.
         

10 Months!

      This sweet girl turned 10 months on Sunday! She finally got that 4th tooth this week. She has started walking with her push toy and clapping. She is babbling a bit more, saying dada, mama, baba, etc.

Videos

 Emory Clapping


 Funny Puppet Show

A Two-fer

     Alex had the pleasure of having his birthday on the day many celebrated Veteran's Day, so we got to go to the Yorktown for free.

        Emory clearly enjoying herself.

        Grady really loved exploring the ship, climbing in the plane, on the "shooting thing" and being a patient in the dentist's chair.