Grandma's Little Helpers

Some cute pictures of the boys "helping" Grandma at the roasting site and the coffee shop:

A Very Perry Thanksgiving

Logan and I hosted Thanksgiving this year for 19! We've had more than that here for birthday parties, but never that many for a formal meal. Logan had the difficult task of figuring out how to fit that many people around a table and finding enough dishes and silverware while I cooked Thursday morning, and while the boys watched the Macy's Day Parade, and then our dear family and friends began to arrive at 2. Everyone chipped in bringing food, so we had more than enough. We all took turns sharing what we were thankful for while we ate, and had great fun laughing over funny family tales.

Uncle Jim chasing Benjamin while others eat appetizers and watch football:

Pretty Lily and Proud Daddy Alan:

The Three Amigos:

Uncle Buck visits Munchkinland:

Brandon and Logan lifting the 22 lb. bird:

"Cheese!" Now can we eat already?!!!

Passing the food:

Benjamin chatting with the big people:

Cutie-Man Tanner:

Benjamin loves his Uncle Danny and his beautiful girlfriend, April:

The happy little worker bees:

Mom, Dad and Nana yuckin' it up:

Papa entertains the young'uns:

Uncle Jim and Aunt Linda having a good time:

Lisa and me:

And now we get to move into Christmas season!!! Yay!!! Today, we're decorating, riding the train at the Railway Village, and meeting Santa Claus at the Boothbay Common!

The Mighty Oak

The tall oak tree in the middle of our backyard had begun to lean toward our house and the bark was splitting in the back, so Logan was eager to cut it down and eliminate our concerns about the next nor'easter blowing it into our house. So that was his big project this past weekend. Here are the pictures: Uncle Jim helped all weekend. Logan had cut this limb, and here they're giving it a tug.

Here it comes!

Rigging up for the main pull.

Making the cut.

All done!

Now for the fun part...

Clean up!
Many hands make light work.

Thank you to Uncle Jim and to Dad for you help!

It is very good to have this done.

Lisa's Birthday Party

My dear friend Lisa turned 30 last weekend, so her husband Brandon and I conspired to throw a little surprise party for her! Somehow, due to Brandon's masterful skills of deception, she was genuinely surprised! :) Our area is being socked with sickness now, which kept many from being able to come, but it was a fun group: Brandon and Lisa, Logan and I, Scott and Bree, Melissa, Reed, plus all of the little boys. Surprise!!!

Lisa, me, Bree (sorry Melissa!)

Logan, Scott, Brandon (sorry Reed!)

Tanner and Spencer watching the bigger boys run circles around the coffee shop.

Eating a yummy potluck dinner.

We love you, Lisa!!! I'm glad to have a friend like you to grow old with.....but you go first! :)

November Sunshine and Snow

So far, November has been unseasonably nice, but we did wake up to snow a week ago Friday. These are some pictures of the boys enjoying the weather this month. Mommy was telling Josiah the story of the three little pigs and the big bad wolf while he ate his snack.

Yay!!! Snow!!!!!!! The boys couldn't wait to get to work shoveling and making snow balls.

This week, we went for a walk with Maureen and her dogs Dory and Annie.

Dory only has three legs, but that didn't seem to hold her back!

We walked to the Southport beach, and my little rascals got their pants and shoes soaked, even after agreeing they wouldn't get wet. :)

Benjamin's Train Party

Little Ben had his second birthday party yesterday, although he keeps saying he is three now! Of course we had another train party for our little train enthusiast! Mom and Dad, Uncle Jim and Aunt Linda, Nana, Uncle Danny and April, Giannoula, the Townsends, Luttermans, Hysons, Neins, and Halters all made the day extra special. The boys were very impressed with all of the chaos. :)

I miss the days when kids could whack a pinata! The strings didn't really work! Thank you to Grandma for bringing the pinata, full of candy and toys!!!

A repeat of Josiah's train cake.


The toy glasses from the pinata!


Uncle Danny's gift was a big hit!
Josiah: "I'll be the engineer and Benjamin can be the coal man!"


It was fun to have Uncle Danny and April come!

Happy Birthday to Benjamin!!!

Giving Lily a big hug! Benji loves his cute little friend! :)

April reading a new Thomas book to Josiah.

Papa!!!

Talking to Uncle Matthew's family via Skype! So cool!!!

Benjamin posing with his new Thomas pajamas, tent and guitar. Thank you everyone for all of the wonderful gifts! :)