A lot to be thankful for

I'm a little late on a Thanksgiving post here, but we've had a lot going on. We've had a lot to be thankful for this year, most especially family. We had a great holiday visiting with family, and lots of help from aunts, uncles, cousins, and especially grandparents with our two little ones. Here are some pictures my sister took of both kids on Thanksgiving day.

Charlie is nine days old here.


He sleeps for what seems like 90% of the time. It's a rather restless sleep during the day, so he wants to be held a lot, but it's still sleep. Probably just so much work for how fast he's growing.





And he has been growing so fast. You can almost just sit and watch him grow. At his two-week check-up last week, all his measurements were in the 75th percentile. The doctor explained that means that out of 100 babies, he would be bigger than 75 of them. What surprised me was that there would be 25 babies out of 100 bigger than him. He is getting so big!



I guess that means I better get on the ball and take more pictures before he completely outgrows his newborn phase.


This is his funny old man look.

Ellie basked in all the extra attention of extended family. On Thanksgiving my family was so nice to take her to the Festival of Trees. She has been pretty excited about Christmas trees ever since she got to help Grandma put one up and then decorate it. She learned from They Might Be Giants that they are conifer trees and often requests to go look at the conifer tree and turn on the lights. So a whole conference center full of conifer trees was pretty exciting.

This picture is blurry, but it really captures her excitement.


A more thoughtful analysis of the Sesame Street trees.


Working on some crafts in Santa's workshop.


Sticker art.


A treat from Santa (which apparently Ellie stopped in her tracks to eat on the spot).

(Incidentally, Ellie picked out her own clothes that day. It's the outfit I'd like to think she'd wear if she ever got to be a guest star on "The Cosby Show.")

Meeting Santa's reindeer.


And, of course, climbing Santa's workshop.


All in all, a pretty good trip. Thanks to all our family for the help and support and making it a great holiday, even while I was out of commission.