Recently he has been advertising his book The Christmas Sweater. He also mentioned that he was going to be in town signing books on Dec 16.Naturally, I called Bryant that afternoon and told him to meet us there. The line was not too long and it moved relatively quickly.
I had really wanted to get a picture of Glenn with the boys, but they had asked you not to because it would really slow things down. I understood that, but I had still told myself that I would sneak one in. But as in most situations, I chickened out when the time came. Still, I'm so glad we were able to do this as a family, and I can only hope that our boys share our same conservative views when they grow up. Heaven knows, I'm doing all I can to build a good foundation for that right now.
When we got home, we got our only family picture in front of the Christmas tree. It's amazing what a little tripod and a timer on a camera can do. 
I think the boys just liked watching me run back and jump into place over and over again. 
There were lots of outtakes, and Reeves even proved he's turning into quite the little photographer himself.
It is mainly for the dads, since the moms and the babes are together a lot. (It keeps us sane.) It's amazing to watch our growing brood interact with each other when the dads are around. While they are content to go and play by themselves and pretty much leave us alone, when the dads are there, they really want them to be involved.
There were plenty of leaves to keep them occupied. They would build themselves big piles and promptly destroy them, simultaneously being showered in a downpour of leaves.
It was a perfect day for going on lots of adventures, eating yummy hot dogs cooked over the fire, collecting hickory nuts, collecting dinosaur bones, and driving all over on the golf carts. The children loved having smores and getting them all over themselves. 
A few of us even ventured out over the marsh all the way to the ICW. 
This trip was extra exciting because there was a sailboat that had run aground across the river. This, of course, prompted all kinds of questions from curious little minds. 
"What's it doing there?" "How did it get up there?" "Is it going to be there forever?" I think if they had had a row boat, they all would have gone over to check it out.
Reeves showed Bennet the ins and outs of his blue jeep, and they even got some good bounce time in on the home made joggling board. 
Daddy is a good bouncer.
You all made it a wonderful, memorable day!
The big boys were fascinated with the turkey. They loved running up to it on the counter, leaning in really close, and sniffing. You would have thought this might translate into a large amount of the bird being consumed by Reeves, but you would be wrong. His quest (at his grandparents' house) to subsist only on things containing sugar continued. He ate the marshmallows off the sweet potatoes and the broccoli and grapes from the broccoli salad with that sweet dressing. 
Oh yes, and he did partake in the pumpkin pie for dessert. You know, because he had earned it. (Sometimes it's just easier to throw in the towel and go with the flow.)
As soon as we walk in their house, he is pouring himself out of my arms to get into Grandy's. I love it, and, naturally, so does Big Reeves.
We found many treasures, most notably, a turkey feather. Preston decided it would best be used as an Indian headress.
We spotted an owl almost as soon as we got back there. It amazed me as it didn't really fly away from us. It would move a couple of limbs away, but for the most part was content to sit and watch us watch him. 
The boys loved it. I have rarely seen an owl out like this in the daytime. It was quite a treat. 
Preston was much more agreeable than Reeves, but somehow, the older cousin was able to persuade the younger one to cooperate, and I actually ended up with a couple of shots I wouldn't even mind printing.
Naturally, I had to take advantage of the video feature. Bryant had come back to gather up some firewood, and the boys had been helping him. They were thoroughly impressed with themselves. They really got into the picture taking when we returned to the back and built a fire. Of course, now it was time for silly faces. 
I think the tossing of leaves and the ambient smoke from the fire brings out the goofy in them. And where they get their endless energy, I'll never know. I wish I had one tenth of it. Since Family day was the next day, we were spending the night out there, so we were able to spend a little extra time by the fire. It was a good Turkey Day, and my boys loved waking up together at their grandparents' house. 
Still, I was able to snap a few still shots after this. It was a special day because Reeves got to spend it with both of his grandfathers and his aunt Lolly. 
Days like this seem to be few and far between given everyone's busy schedules. I'm glad I had the camera. Sorry, Son, you've got three choices. Learn to live with it. Move to a place with absolutely no beauty near it at all. Or quit being so cute. It's up to you.
The first time, Reeves did not want to put on his robe (even though I showed him that it had a bow tie just like Daddy's) and cowered behind the corner before going into church. But he did it. He stood up in front of the church, and, although I don't think he actually sang, he did manage to be strong and not cry or make a spectacle. We were so proud of him.
He happily donned his robe, and marched right in to the church. We couldn't tell if he was actually singing, but I am going to assume he did, since I had heard snippets of the song in the days before the "production".
Here he is, fourth up from the bottom on the front row. We are so proud of our little angel for looking fear right in the eye and overcoming it. I won't make him do it next year if he really doesn't want to, but it makes me happy to see how well he has acclimated to this new activity.
When you finally did make it up to the door, it was only to put your name on a list. (That should have been the first clue.) But we did, and given the fact that it would probably be at least an hour before we were allowed, by the fire marshall to go in (another clue - maximum capacity - never a good idea to enter, even if it is legal), we headed to Juanita Greenberg's for some supper. The children were really quite well behaved. Bennett sat a the head of the table and flirted with the college girls behind him. William served as his wingman. 
Leeze and Reeves spent most of the time coloring, taking a break only to ingest the five bites of supper they would totally consume for the night. And we enjoyed our adult beverages. Gammy even remembered how much she likes coloring!
Bennett got so soaking wet in the water room that we had to take off his shirt because, since it was about 23 degrees outside, he would be warmer with just his jacket. Outdoor survivalists are we. Seriously, couldn't they look into changing the water room into something else for the winter? 
Reeves looked like Oliver Twist on the shrimp boat. He was politely holding onto his one blue fish, waiting for the basket as the aforementioned giant elementary schoolers ran amuck around him. "Mommy, is it my turn now?" Sometimes I curse these good manners we are trying to imbed in him. I wanted to scream, "Just knock them down and take it!!"
Nevertheless, we and the children had a great time. I went early to help set up. While we were doing that, the children were out on the playground. I happened to glance out and see that Henry's class was out there too. Then I saw Reeves and Henry find each other, and this was how they spent the remainder of their time out there, hand in hand, walking all around, pointing things out to each other and introducing each other to their friends. It was precious. (And a little wierd, since it did look like they were on a date, but it won't be long before they succomb to the societal pressures all around them, so I was sure to capture it to remind us of how cute they were.)
They had all made bead bracelets, and they were able to tell us what all the colors stood for. Then it was time for the feast. And what a feast it was. There was enough food on Reeves' plate to last him a week. 
I think all of us mothers realized there was no need for everyone to bring something ever again. We'll just dole out a few food responsibilities from now on. Of course, despite being packed in like sardines, we all enjoyed watching our little ones. 
They said the blessing and ate about one eleventh of what was on their plates. I got to see Reeves' Thanksgiving sign that he had made. It was a picture of a turkey that said what he was thankful for. While most of the other children had put "Mommy" or "Daddy" or "My Family" on theirs, Reeves was thankful for "Honey". And no, that's not a pet or a person, it's the sweet viscous liquid that his Grandmomma has made him fall in love with. She laughed with delight when she saw the sign the next day.
Nope, but you wouldn't have guessed it based on the playground we visited the other day. This is the one on the old navy base. Caroline and hers met us and Lolly there Monday afternoon. (Where CFS promptly stole my "on retainer" babysitter for Friday night!) 
It was sometimes hard to find the children because their blue clothing camoflauged them on the blue slide and the blue mat-thingy that the playground is on and the blue whirlygig. 
Honestly, I think this is my all time favorite playground safety floor. It is so much better than any natural mulch or sand. It is cleaner than the fake mulch made of old tires. It stays cool to the touch in the summer, and falling on it doesn't hurt anymore than falling anywhere else. This playground is great, but it is a little lacking for the under three year olds. There are no swings, and the only slide is super high, but as long as you position one adult in the crow's nest to facilitate the little ones sliding and not falling off the shear cliff, it's pretty good. Reeves and Fordham havealways loved putting acorns into this spinner. 
There's a little hole in the bottom, and I think they like watching the acorns fly out as they spin them around. This day is was not acorns but shells that were their main ingredient. I didn't think much of it until I later found Bennett with three said shells stuffed in his mouth. Seriously. I don't understand the appeal.
Lol became favorite grown up of the day when she pulled out the candy. 
R and F relished in their Tootsie Rolls, and were very protective of their "hammock" on which they were eating them.
They climb up. They roll down. They climb up. They run down. They climb up. They slide down. Repeat as necessary until bedtime is a breeze. And if it ever snows in our fair city, we're making a beeline to this place!