The month of November

November brought an Open House at Jacob's pre-school, a trip to see Grampy and Grammy's new house in Austin (see pictures from that visit on another post), along with a trip to Jumpin' Jungle, which was especially fun since Catherine is a little bit older now and therefore able to keep up with Jacob better. There was also Catherine's birthday and 2-year check-up with the pediatrician (plus two shots - ouch), the conclusion of soccer, and then the much anticipated Thanksgiving visit with the Taylor side of the family. We also were invited to a kid birthday party every weekend of the month!

It was so wonderful to have my entire side of the family visit for the holiday: my Dad and Mom, my brother Shane, wife Jenny, and Cousin Lily, and finally, my youngest brother ET (Eric Jr.) The kids LOVE their Cousin Lily (3) and she and Jacob in particular are good chums. This was the second year in a row we deep fried a turkey on the driveway and it is always so nice to have help in the kitchen from my mother and Jenny. Mom's Ambrosia and yams with marshmallows and Jenny's family recipe stuffing are all yearly favorites. This year we had a "kid-table" just like when I was little, only this time I didn't sit at it - my children did! They had a good time with Play Doh before the meal. : ) We had several games of Scrabble going throughout the visit and although several mis-spelled words were accepted as valid (not naming any names) I loved playing with my brothers, Jenny, and hubby. Dad Taylor treated everyone to a dinner out at Outback Steakhouse one evening (another tradition we've got going) and then my parents watched the three little ones so that the five "big kids" got to see the newest Harry Potter movie. Two of my favorite quotes this holiday were said by Jacob. First, (after arriving separately) he introduced "Gramma Toria" to "Uncle ET" : ) and second, he asked Uncle ET what he had on his arm and then without awaiting an explanation decided they were "stamps" just like he gets on his hand at pre-school. The "stamps" were of course a tattoo. : )

We had Catherine's two-year-old party this month too (her birthday is November 17th) in Sesame Street theme complete with a bounce house courtesy of Uncle Shane and Aunt Jenny and a visit from the Chick-Fil-A cow. She was tired that day so we had to wake her up for her party! But once awake she said "hello" to the cow from a distance and thoroughly enjoyed her cupcake. She left her Elmo cupcake on the table and then leaned over and bit into it hands-free. : ) Messy, but mission-accomplished. She liked opening her presents too this year and got some help with her candles from Jacob. She loved her pink and purple tricycle from Aunt Jenny and company and also was very enamored with her Fairy Tree house from "Aunt Amy" and Natalie. It was an especially poignant birthday as not only was entire my family still here, but Grampy and Grammy came down from Austin and our old friends who have moved away, the Brices were able to attend too. I can't believe Catherine is two-years-old now! She is still my baby though.

We were able to catch up with the Brice family a little more another day too while they were visiting for Thanksgiving. The kids really enjoyed playing together for a play date and we also had a nice lunch at Chick-Fil-A and finished it off with yogurt from BerriLicious - yum! It was all in all a good month and special holiday!