November 2017

November!! Another great month, a bit colder than the previous month.

We, after more than a month of trying, finally got together with another transplant family (from Vermont) and they've been such a blessing to us in this transition. Here's the first of many pictures of our kids playing together and in nature.

 The leaves were past their prime, but still goldenly beautiful in their own way. We didn't get a flake of snow for the entire month.

 "Riding" the wagon at Wagon Hill.

 Who knew that this pumpkin's face would be so perfect once handed on to the chickens! :)

 Ian falls alseep like this pretty much every night, and during his very occasional naptimes. We love his love for books.

 The mound I mentioned to the left was cleared, except for one tree that Jim plans to harvest later.

 Baby continues to grow... likely 10 or 11 ish weeks here.

 These animals find their way ALL over the house. I love their sweetly growing herd of wildlife and how great these toys have been since we were introduced to them when Ian was 19 months. They still remain absolute favorites around here and I plan to keep them for our possible, future grandchildren.

 The guys playing where the future herb garden will be!!!

 We got a MUCH-needed new stove in November! The burners were spotty, to say the least, and then we had a week without a stove or oven at all before our new stove arrived.

 After dinner one night we broke out the dominoes and had a night of family fun. Game nights are still difficult with these ages, but this was successful!

 Sweet kids on a couch and good ole Mr Rogers!

 One day, I won't have an audience almost every time I use the loo. Until then... there he sits, with snack in tow.

 Our friends showed us a new beach and it's become one of our favorite places. Fairly quiet, dogs allowed, and it's got the best of all the New England beach features... a huge sandy portion, a rocky portion, and cliffs.

 The kids made a seafood soup out of crabs and mussels and clams they found, crushed, and then mixed together in frigid saltwater. They attracted every dog around :)

 Owen sacked out near the end of our time there, gifting me with sweet, warm cuddles.

 My mom came up by train the weekend before Thanksgiving and stayed for a week! The boys loved reading with her and playing with her.

 Dad arrived a few days later and joined in on the reading!

 Soon it was time to start the Thanksgiving preparations!

 Meg & Mark came for Thanksgiving day and into the weekend! We were thrilled to host them for their first Thanksgiving.

 And it was neat to introduce them to my parents for the first time!

 Jim carved the turkey with supervision from my dad and steadying support from Meg.

 My mom's the master of producing this incredible feast! I'm so grateful for the labor of love she poured into helping to make our first Thanksgiving in this home so special.

 That's a full plate!

My heart was so full getting to share this table with so many dear people.

 Leif enjoyed the scraps :)

 After feasting we went to Wagon Hill for a post-dinner walk/hike, as is per tradition.

 We had a gorgeous sunset to close out the day.

 And then pie for dinner, of course.

 Each night we had a fire, which was lovely.

 And then pie for breakfast. Mmmmm.

 We took them to the new (to us) beach and it was a hit.

Over the Thanksgiving weekend we announced our pregnancy, at 13 weeks. This is the picture we used to announce it. Come summertime we will have one more family member on the beach with us <3

 Sweet Ama cuddles.

 And then, when we were good and hungry, we headed to When Pigs Fly for some incredible, oven-fired pizza. Yum!

 Soon my parents and host parents headed back to their homes and we hosted Gramee & Grandpa for some Thanksgiving time, too.

 Gramee LOVES the beach and she sure loves her grandchildren. I don't think any chilly day could dampen her spirits, even though it was incredibly chilly on this particular beach day!! Here she is playing peek-a-boo with Owen.

 Gramee brought along a few art projects for Ian to do with her. He was very proud of the tree and stocking that they made!

 We went to Great Bay Discovery center for the first time and walked on this beautiful boardwalk with our MOPS friends.

 These flowers continued to bring joy and greenery into our lives long after their initial purpose of brightening up our Thanksgiving table. And Jim gave us all OMM treatments, the perks of having a DO in the family :)

And that was our November! Our hearts were filled with warmth and thanksgiving as we spent time with so many we love and shared the news of our newest baby growing within.