Thanksgiving Swimming

When we went to IL for Thanksgiving we got to stay in a hotel with a pool. This was probably the first time I ever went swimming on Thanksgiving day. Once Tori saw that there was a pool at the hotel she was desperate to swim (we are very much missing the summer lately).

Tori and James had a blast. This was the first time James was ever in a swimming pool. It was fun that he got to wear the little swimsuit that his dad bought him shopping one day.

James got a kick out of just sitting on my lap splashing with his hand. He was really having fun and splashing pretty hard - we tried to catch some of it with this video.

Below is a video of Tori doing her favorite thing in the pool - jumping off the side into Dad's arms. She has it down to a science and knows exactly where she wants Dad to stand and loves it if she splashes big enough to get Dad's face wet.

After our fun trip to IL, when we came home I decided I wanted to do a little Thanksgiving dinner for just our family since I love to cook all the Thanksgiving food. It was also a lot of fun since my mom came back from IL with us and helped me make it. Above is a picture of Tori and James after Tori helped me set the table with the china, which she loves to do.

Thanksgiving in IL

This year we got to spend Thanksgiving in IL with all my Dad's family. My parents and my sister and her family came, too. It was wonderful to get to see everyone and be with family for the holiday. Below we are having breakfast at the hotel.

Tori's really gotten good at the big sister roll and she loved "sistering" her little cousin Olivia, who is about 2 and 1/2 years old. Olivia thought anything involving Tori was wonderful so they got along very well. It was actually really cute to watch since Olivia and Tori have the same age difference as my sister and me and Tori looks and acts very much like I did and Olivia looks and acts very much like Danielle did. My mom said it was like going back in time.

Some precious pictures of Tori, Olivia and James with Great Grandma and Grandpa. It was so wonderful to get to see and spend time with them.

Tori and Olivia reading with Grandpa Eric.

Aunt Danielle getting her baby fix with James. :)

The cute little cousins.

We had Thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant in IL with the whole family. The food was wonderful and we all had a great time. (Above - John, Me, James, Tori, Olivia, Danielle and Dan)

5 Months Old

Here's our little five month old. I'm not sure how big he is since we don't go see the doctor until 6 months, but he's still as cute and happy as ever. James has really started to discover toys, which makes my life easier and harder at the same time, since many of his toys tend to frustrate him, but he screams if they are taken away.

He also enjoys his bedtime story, though, most of the time he just tries to get the book in his mouth.

This is where James spends most mornings while I get ready. One morning he finally got a hold of both the toys at the same time and he was so proud of himself and happy - I ran to get the camera, but the picture doesn't do it justice.

Just, my cute naked baby. I'm not sure why both my kids just love to be without clothes, even during Iowa winters - maybe it's easier to get your foot in your mouth that way?

A couple of James's favorite things

James is changing so fast and discovering new fun things everyday! Here are just a few random pictures of things he likes. Very high on the list of things James likes are his feet. In the past few weeks he has found them and loves to hold/suck on them. He has also discovered his lips. Below he's sucking on his lower lip (another favorite thing to do). He likes to try and make different funny faces with his lips that are very cute.

Dad has always been a big favorite, especially when he's introducing him to such cool things like football on TV and the remote (two peas in a pod).

James also loves being outside on walks and anything involving Tori.