This and that

We had family for several days after Thanksgiving.   Zaza, Amber, Marky and I did some major Black Friday shopping and made a big dent in the Christmas list.  (Marky went because we do not have a car big enough for Daddy, Uncle Tim, Grandpa and all the children.  Someone had to shop- and Marc drew the short straw- he actually was happy to go and had fun with us.  By the way, Amber got lots of chances to love on Annie-

Meanwhile, Daddy took Big Grandpa, Uncle Tim and the 5 youngest children to BB and Poppy's farm for the day.  They fished and had blueberry cobbler.  Here they are putting out food for the deer-

 

 

BB kept Anastasia inside and she fell in love with this baby show-

Then they made a trip to Bass Pro Shops, which is like a wonderland this time of year. 

On Saturday, Amber, Tim and Landin flew home.  We had a nice weekend with Zaza and Grandpa.  Zaza gave us all haircuts and taught Julia some sewing.  That had so much fun working on a dress for Anastasia. 

Julia also got some map fabric to make throw pillows for the boys for Christmas.  She made them almost entirely by herself.  

Such a sweet, sweet girl and the best big sister-

 Daddy set up the big tent in the playroom and they "camped out" one night with sleeping bags on air mattresses .

Sweet Anastasia Rose is doing well.  She's really into her toys on her exersaucer.  

She still loves her bath, but now she kicks and squeals and splashes water ALL OVER the bathroom.  It makes her so happy, though, that I don't mind cleaning up afterwards. 

She likes to play her toy piano- it was Marky's so long ago.  They have all loved it. 

Charlie snapped a picture of snuggle time with Mommy. 

And the other night we took her to dinner and she sat in a high chair for the first time- she's five months old.  :)

And to her delight- they had ceiling fans!

Today I took Tucker and Charlie on a field trip to the Botanical Gardens.  We learned about Native Americans in Alabama- specifically what plants they used and how.  We learned a lot.  

Each child was given a plant sample and had to find it in the woods and tell the group all it could be used for.  Tucker's could be used to induce vomiting and the Latin name is, "ilex vomitoria", which he found very funny.  :)

 
And we saw Peter Rabbit in the vegetable garden-

This morning I woke up to find Julia in tears- she had just finished reading, "Where the Red Fern Grows."  I remember crying at that book when I was young.  My teacher even had us watch a movie of it and we all cried sitting on the floor of the library.  Memories...