Happy Thanksgiving!

Note: I first wrote this last Monday, but forgot to publish it...

We decorated the inside of the house for Christmas yesterday, including displaying the nativity scene.  Kate is now obsessed with Baby Jesus.  Even thought he is a ceramic version, she wants to take him everywhere with her - to the dinner table, in the car, to bed, etc.  Baby Jesus also gets to play with the animals on the Little People's farm...

In seriousness, the idea that she loves Jesus and wants to take him with her makes me happy, so I can't argue, right?

Sam is starting to take a few steps on his own.  He has great balance, just not the confidence, yet.  He will practically run and dance as long as he's holding onto something.  He is finally showing some interest in listening to short stories, instead of just wanting to hold a book and turn the pages by himself.  Sam will play with little pots and pans and spoons and spatulas for a long time... A budding chef, perhaps?  He also loves to climb on the furniture and can now stand on the footstool in the bathroom and unload the drawers, throwing all of Kate's hair accessories and spare soaps into the sink.  Ah, the trash can is also a fun (and yucky!) toy.  The joys of opening and closing lids are great for a one year old.  We've been putting him to bed at night without a blanket for a few weeks in an attempt to break the blankie-sucking habit.  He is doing well so far.   Naptime is harder for him to settle down without something to soothe him, so he gets his pacifier then, and a blanket, too.  (He will still suck on the blanket if he has one without his pacifier.)

Coming soon: photos from Thanksgiving at the grandparents.