Trains, Trees, and Sweet Potatoes

Another Sunday and another visit to Nan and "Bee's" house. As usual, Shawn could barely wait to get out the door this morning for his weekly visit to a house he feels needs "rearranging"... which can only be done with his special touch. Upon our arrival I noticed a beautiful glow coming from the front window. To our delight the Sauers Family Christmas Tree was up and running!

A family tradition since Shawn was Landon's age is sitting down with Peeps to watch choo choo trains go around the tracks. Shawn's village that Peeps made for him last year isn't set up just yet, so he surprised the boys with a little train around the tree that Nan trimmed just for them. It was a heart warming moment in deed watching my two sons and grandfather gather around the train tracks with warm glowing lights shinning softly on their faces. This time of year is so magical... for young and old a like.





Speaking of magic... Landon performed a trick of his own this evening. He turned a nearly all white bib to orange! How talented is that?! Mr. Messy had his first taste of sweet potatoes today. He seemed to like them much better than he did the squash. Then again, his bib and clothing did most of the tasting for him.

Adding to the Volumes

Seriously, if I had a dollar for every time someone told me "Ashley, put that camera down!" I'd have more than enough for all the cameras, lenses, flashes, and equipment my heart could desire. To be perfectly honest, I will never listen... photography is a huge chunk of my life and when my children are grown, and their children are grown, Jon and I will have volumes of memories to look through. When we are 80 years old sitting on our front porch my constant "snapping" will have supplied us with years of precious moments captured one shot at a time.

They can keep telling me to put that camera down... but it will never happen. ;)

Thankful

As this day comes to a close I wanted to share just how thankful I am to have such wonderful friends and family. Jon and I both are so grateful and thankful every single day for our two blessings... our little boys and for our friends/family members that share in watching them grow. We are thankful everyday, not just on this holiday of Thanksgiving.

This Thanksgiving was made extra special as it is Landon's 1st Thanksgiving. Having the opportunity of going through all these "First Holiday's" again is such a wonderful reward as a parent. And now that Shawn is rounding his 3rd year of holidays... watching him grow and gain knowledge of what they are about is amazing. We are so THANKFUL for all of these experiences.

Another year and another wonderful meal prepared by my grandmother. The usual gang consisting of my grandparents, parents, brother, and our family gathered around my grandparents table for a scrumptious traditional Thanksgiving meal.

A photo guide to our day:

The Sauers, Carpenter, Rawlings Crew:
Peeps, Nan, Dad, Shawn, Mom, Landon, Pappy, MeMe, and Gunkle Bike

Our Family of Four

The kiddos enjoying some quality time with their Grandparents.

Shawn and his MeMe & Pappy

They really do love each other ;)

One of the sweetest things... My Dad and Son bonding :)

More of that dreadful squash!

The kiddos and my grandparents... they just adore each other to pieces!

Its so fun to watch Landon play on the same floor at the same spot as what Shawn did with MeMe & Pappy nearly 2 years ago.

Silly little bunch!

Dessert Time

My little Turkeys!

Mommy's sweetie ;)

Landon grabbing a big ol' hand full of MeMe's hair.

Last night we had a "Pre-Thanksgiving feast" with Lizzy, John, and Delilah. It was our first time all getting together since Delilah's birth. I loved having all 3 kiddos in the house and watching all of us with our precious little ones. It is amazing to see Lizzy and John being parents and watch them as they are beginning this awesome journey called parenthood. My hope is that our two families are always this close and our children grow up together as best friends just as their parents are.

Mr. Manners & The Squash

After months (well years) of working with Shawn on his pleases, thank yous, your welcomes, and bless yous I think he might have a grasp on it. Tonight he showed me two wonderful examples of his new found or should I say newly expressed knowledge of these small but very important courtesies. "Shawn, will you please bring Mommy the burp cloth for Landon?" Before I could get the "Thank You" all the way out Shawn glances over at me with a grin... "Or E-come!" Not more than 10 minutes later he sneezed all over his flash cards (which he has been playing with for the past hour.) And once again, before I could even get the words out he blessed his sweet little self by saying "Bess Eww."

My little red-head had his first taste of one of the greatest food groups... vegetables! We decided to start with squash... and from the way it went, we might be ending with it too ;) This little one just isn't getting the hang of swallowing food. I thought maybe it was just rice cereal because looking at it is enough to gag even me. As Jon was feeding him this "foreign substance" that was obviously not suiting well he tells Landon "You can't live on bottles forever!" This kiddo is hilarious. Put something in the mouth and it gets pushed right back out. There is always tomorrow... and more squash ;)


As a little treat for Shawn's wonderful manners this evening Mommy let him stay up a little bit past his bedtime to work on a fall wreath craft.

Warm Hugs on a Cold Day

Due to various activities it has been a few weeks since Shawn and Landon spent their usual Sunday with Nan and Peeps . Shawn was absolutely thrilled this morning when I told him where we were going! I could tell he wondered why it took so long for me to suggest one of his favorite places. On the way there his poor little eyes were getting so heavy and as I looked at him in the rear view mirror it was obvious he was trying hard to stay awake. He was THAT excited to go to his great-grandparents house! Shawn made it there with no nap... a few french fries in hand... and a warm hug at the door.

And as always, a few pictures from our visit. Enjoy!

"Toot Toot!"

How could I have forgotten how fun the first few months of solids are? I put Landon in a high chair for the first time today. He did really well sitting in it and even better flinging food with the spoon! This photo opportunity was way too good to pass up. My little guy had goop everywhere but in his mouth. I think Mommy had just as much fun as Landon.

After getting Landon down for a short nap it was dinner time for Shawn. He's been doing this "act" where he fake cries and says "I'm sad. I cry." Well, he started this at dinner and he even managed to squeeze out a few real tears. All of a sudden... "Ptthhhppppppppppp!" How could I help but burst into laughter. Shawn looks up at me and starts giggling "Toot!" In all his effort for those tears he surprised himself by that maneuver. "Yes Shawn, you tooted" was all I could say.

Motherhood is wonderful ;)

Vacation in November

It has been a wonderful week so far having Jon home on vacation. Even though November is not the typical vacation season, after this long year, we will take it!

We took this kiddos on a shopping trip today to Toys R Us and to Olive Garden for lunch. It was a nice get-a-way from home. Shawn was so amusing to watch go through the toy store with a little twinkle in his eye! It was a sneaky little way to check off a few things that he'd like for Christmas.

"We'd rather be watching Baby Noah!"

Busy Busy

It has been a very busy and fun weekend here at the Rawlings household. It was wonderful spending some quality family time with Jon's parents, brother/future sister-in-law, and Pap. It was extremely sad to see them all head to their respective homes. The boys had such a fun time with their Aunt and Uncle today. Shawn just adored Uncle Cody. Only one time since Landon was born has Shawn been jealous of someone holding his baby brother. When Landon was born and my mom brought Shawn to the hospital to meet the newest addition Shawn got extremely upset at his MeMe holding another child. The green monster struck again tonight when his precious Uncle Cody was holding Landon. It was a rather cute sight to see ;) And we know that Landon left his mark on Aunt Lynda (or rather a drool stain!) Shawn and Landon are very lucky to have such an awesome Uncle and Aunt :-)

Family Fun!

The sweetest couple!