Catching up - mid November

Yes, I'm neglecting my blog - but life is demanding it right now.  Harrison is teething and if he's awake, chances are very high that he's in my arms.  Occasionally he'll be happy enough to let me put him on the floor to play with his sisters, but those moments are few and far between right now (and they don't last long). And, if you've been reading my blog for a year or more (or if you know us personally) you know that November brings basketball season which means that Brad is gone three to four nights a week.  Despite the facts that the Stephens Center is 15 minutes from our house, he gets off work by 3:30 most days and he doesn't have to be at the game site until 6:00 - he still doesn't come home from work; he goes straight to the university and we see him after the game (9:30 or 10:00).  So, that's where I've been. Not whining - just stating the facts.  Well, okay - a little bit of whining.  :)

We took a trip over to Brad's parents at the beginning of the month. Your eyes can begin glazing over...now...it's time for pictures.

It was absolutely beautiful, the trees were a riot of colors - bright red, orange, gold, bright yellow, purple, dark red and a hint of evergreen.  This is in one of the city parks.  The bridge is a pedestrian bridge and they frequently have events on it (like a Beer and Wine Festival back during the spring). 

The park has huge open spaces for running, playing or just lounging on a big blanket.  It's also a great spot for photographs - we always see at least one family or group having portraits taken while we're there. Of course, we took photos of the girls at the fountain.

 

  

  

Harrison still isn't quite big enough to sit on the carousel animals - so I just took one of his Daddy holding him...

 

We also went to one of the Riverwalk parks and took the traditional picture of the kids sitting on the brick fish.  Nin wanted to stand on the fish's head and decided she'd show-out when we wouldn't let her. I told her that was fine, I'd include her pouty self in the photos...and I did.

 

In order to prove our point about how standing on the fish's head wasn't a good idea, we allowed her to do just that.  Once she got up there, she wanted down...now! Mmm-hmmm, see? We told you so! And she was much happier to sit with her siblings...

I love these shots of Nin and Annie running across the open space...

 

  

And here's a picture of me and the girls on one of the lions at the fountain...

And probably one of my favorite photos from the trip...Brad's Dad has Primary Lateral Sclerosis and we are starting to see its progression more significantly now. Since Harrison is stronger and able to sit on his own now, we were able to put Harrison in Tom's lap...which Tom loved.  We snapped this photo on the morning we left to come home.

 

I just love how happy Harrison and his PawPaw look in this.

Okay, I think that's all - well, other than the rest of the stuff I won arrived this week.  I got the 320GB blue Free Agent Go portable hard drive...it is sweet!  And the cream-colored Dolce Gusto - which I'm giving to my sister and her family for Christmas (her request - actually, she almost begged - "please, please, please give it to us! We would love it!").  

Harrison now has six chompers, which he uses on me and everything else! And he's clapping (which is adorable!!!)  And cruising. And trying to stand on his own, but he doesn't quite have the balance thing down yet. And yes, he's still all about Mommy!