Thanksgiving Holiday

We had such a fun Thanksgiving holiday! Originally we were going to go to Waynesville, but at the last minute we changed plans and my mom and dad and Carla drove up and stayed with us for Thanksgiving- and yes that means that I cooked the Thanksgiving meal. I guess I can't take full credit for it because my mom did a lot of the work. They came up on Wednesday night and we headed to the mall. It was a lot of fun and Hannah had a blast running around and going up and down the escalator and up and down the escalator again and again. Then, Brian, Carla and I went to see Lion for Lambs- very fun! We cooked most of the day Thursday and everything was very tasty. We even had a little Indian food from our Indian friends who came over. I made mac and cheese and sweet potato pie from scratch and I must admit- they were wonderful. On Friday: Mom and Dad drove to Richmond to see family and friends, Carla and I went to a spin class, and Brian installed crown molding in our dining room. In the afternoon, we lounged around and read then helped Brian a little and went shopping. When my parents got home we watched my favorite movie in the whole world- The Family Man- I love that movie. Today, Carla and I went to Muscle Pump after a pancake breakfast and then she watched Hannah while the rest of us went to see a 3D movie at the IMAX theater. Then we had Randy's pizza and watched the game. Who could ask for a better holiday!!!? Everyone leaves in the morning. I will miss then, but I hope to sleep a little tomorrow:)

Sorry, I am soooo bad at taking pictures and don't have any. I might be able to post one if you send me one mom.

Halloween

Brian has learned how to levitate a pumpkin

Fair Photos

Ahhh, what a nice day. The weather has taken a change for the better. I went to an aerobics class this morning. I am on my second load of laundry, the dishes are unloaded, the floors are mopped, the downstairs is vaccuumed, and I have listed a bunch of household items on craigslist. So, here are a few more pics. Danielle, please send us more! We are off to the fair tomorrow for a family fun day:) Oh yeah and I just booked a cruise for January!

New happenings

A few new things have happened in the past week. First, Hannah is officially weaned. It is hard to admit, but I was slightly sad. As much as I have been dreaming of this day, it is proof that our little girl is just going to keep growing. But she still is not drinking any milk. She absolutely refuses. So basically all she drinks all day is watered down apple juice. She has also learned to point. Anything she wants she points at. If she doesn't get it, she throws a fit.

Life in Durham

These pictures are not quite in order, but I will try to comment on each of them.
I took Hannah to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It is wonderful, and on Wednesdays you get in for a donation- which is great because it is normally $11.00. They have a little area for smaller kids. Hannah loved seeing the other kids at the museum.
Hannah with some pretend fish at the museum.
This is part of the outdoor music exhibit.
This is in the butterfly garden. It was AWESOME. We stayed in there a long time and I let Hannah walk around. She really noticed all the butterflies. I think butterflies will be a theme for her. They are all over her new room, which reminds me that we need to take pictures of her new room. She is also going to be a butterfly for Halloween. We'll see how long she keeps the costume on.
This is at the international playgroup I am co-leading with Sarah from New Zealand. There are about 15 moms and children from all over the world. It is a very exciting thing to be involved in. Today we were talking about being moms. It is amazing how universal the role of a mother is. We all have the same joys and struggles. It really is a blessing to be a part of this group. I am looking forward to the rest of the year. We actually had one dad join us today!

This is the flower cake Amie Kay and family sent Hannah for her birthday. She is checking it out.
When we first moved to North Carolina, I was really depressed because there is no Publix here. I have now come to love Harris Teeter. This is Hannah with her free balloon from Harris Teeter. And the thing in her other hand is toilet paper.
This is a picture from the Moms Night In that I hosted at our house. It was super fun. Here everyone is swapping "How I met my husband stories".
Another pic. from the museum. They are working on the dinosaur exhibit, but Hannah still got a kick out of this huge thing.

Another one at the museum.

Hannah turned 1

We skipped church to meet Gramzy and Angela at Cracker Barrel

Update

(dress from Aunt Loida)

So I think we are over due for an update. As I think you can see from our previous pictures we took a trip to Amelia Island. We had a great time with Nana and Papa, Allison, Seth, Kallie, Luke, Stephanie, and Travis. The flight was a little over an hour but it felt like an eternity. Hannah did not want to be confined to our laps. Of course we went to see a movie and found a new little coffee/cake shop that we love. We also got to see Sandra and Jude!!! And Nana and Allison helped Hannah's fear of water. We came home and Uncle Frank flew in from Texas. He spent a few days with us and then we all drove to Waynesville for the annual July 4th picnic there. It was a lot of fun, and we stayed and hung out with the family and the Canters. Brian went fly fishing for the first time, but he did not catch anything. We came home and have been working on getting our living room decorated. It is taking a while, and I sewed my first set of curtains. I probably should have read some instructions beforehand, but they did not come out too bad. Hannah and I have been attending a playgroup. I borrowed a wagon from a friend and Hannah loves riding in it. This is a good sign because she is going to be riding in a wagon for Uncle Travis's wedding!! Brian is finishing up the IBM softball league, and we are going to a game of his tonight. We also started going to pool. Hannah seems to be getting used to it and actually splashes a little. In the fall I have an exciting volunteer position. I will be co-coordinating the Babies and Toddlers playgroup for the Duke International Spouse Program. It is for all the Spouses of Duke students and faculty that are here studying, teaching, working and researching from other countries. So I will be getting together with all the spouses with babies and toddlers once a week. I think both Hannah and I will meet some really cool people! Finally, we have spent the last few days reading Harry Potter. I of course cried a bunch, and I can't wait to read it again some day... not as fast as the first time. I love those books, and I am sad to see them come to an end. I know they will be a permanent addition to our bookshelf though! We even got to see the movie on Friday night thanks to Anna babysitting for us!!! Well, all our love from Durham.

Visit with David and Karen Rigsby

David and Karen came over for breakfast on Thursday. They are back in the US after teaching English in China for the past year. They go back at the end of the summer, so it was great to catch up.

New Pics

New Foods and Hair Styles

Hannah's new favorite food is black olives. She also has inherited Gramzy's wild hair:)

Shuster visit