Jim's first birthday was today. We had a little party.





















Michael and his cousins had fun wishing Jim a happy birthday.















Jim and his baby cousin vied for grandmotherly attention. It was a draw.






































Jim opened two presents, then Mom opened the rest.
















This baby pinball machine from Granny was a big hit with both of the babies.














Then it was time for cake.
















But not time for hats. No hats!














We have lots of sweet footage of Michael at his first birthday party, playing in his cake, offering it to me and to Grandpa, but never eating any of it himself.





JIM, however, ate tons of cake and didn't offer it to anybody.

Yes, the blue icing did wash off with no problem, and no, by some miracle he did not get any on his clothes.









Cousins and friends enjoyed their cake (with forks).

We've been working hard on walking. Here Jim and I practised outside, back before the weather turned so cold.

The hard work has paid off. Today, one day before Jim's first birthday, he took his first unassisted steps.

He also cut yet another tooth this week. So now he has six teeth. Whenever he smiles you get a good look at those bottom two. The one he just cut is on the bottom, so the gap toothed grin is going to start filling in.

Michael received his Bobcat badge in Cub Scouts at the end of November. Scoutmaster Steve presented the badge to Michael at the November pack meeting.

The Old Testament According to Michael

"Dad, look! That's Noah's Ark! And that's the huge tsunami that's going to wipe it out!"

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun. We had dinner with Grandma first, then traveled to have Thanksgiving in Gainesville with Granny and Uncle Weyman. Jim loves Granny's house. Here, Gremlin and Granny's dog, Jasper, are licking Jim's fingers through the gate.

Granny has lots of cool toys.

But when Jim thinks no one's looking. . .

He escapes from the living room.

Jim likes to stand at this window and look outside.

Halloween was not a hit with Jim. If he had his way, Jim would prefer to be naked, so you can imagine how this costume went over. I didn't get any good pictures, so the next time Jim has a really happy day and I remember, I will put him back into the costume and try again. The whole point of Jim being Pooh was that Michael was Tigger for his first Halloween, and I wanted to have side-by-side pictures of them on the mantle. . .





















Michael had a great time on Halloween. Not as many people in our subdivision participated as in years past, but the ones who did participate went all-out. One house even had a "haunted trail" of sorts that wound around their front yard past various effigies (some of which were actually real people who would jump out and scare you) and ended in the back yard, where a warlock was standing in a pentagram giving out candy. No kidding.





Michael had the annual "Turkey Shoot" with the Cub Scouts the following weekend. Here are some of the kids from his pack taking their turn.


No real turkeys were harmed in the taking of these photographs. The kids fired bb guns at paper targets, with the assistance of their parents and wearing the appropriate safety gear (massive goggles). The kid with the best score won a frozen turkey.


Michael is a pretty good shot with the bb gun, which is a little surprising since he doesn't have one of his own. (In a subdivision, that could only lead to pain and lawsuits - maybe if we live in the country someday. . .)

I wish we still had Michael's target from last year. He's definitely improved. Must be gaining hand/eye coordination from all of those video games he's been playing with his dad.

Other than Halloween and the Turkey Shoot, it's been pretty quiet around here (hence my lack of posts). In fact, it's been so quiet that I've knitted a couple of new sweaters for Gremlin, so I may post a "Gremlin Fashion Show" in a day or two (currently putting the finishing touches on a turqoise turtleneck for the pooch).

We're having Thanksgiving with Jeff's family this Wednesday night, then heading to my mom and brother's house Thanksgiving morning. We'll stay with them for a couple of days.

We're ready for Christmas - I'm a fanatic about getting everything done early. Christmas is hectic enough without having to run out and buy those last minute gifts or address Christmas cards or whatever.

Jim's first birthday is December 10th, so I'll post pictures from the party the following week.

Michael went to the city's Halloween Carnival tonight. He makes a very handsome knight, and brave. He escorted his dad through the haunted house! It was Michael's first haunted house ever. He had a great time!

Mr. Gorbachev, TEAR DOWN THIS WALL!

Michael is a turkey. No, really, just ask him.

Michael and his Mini-Me. Look at their eyes.

Jim found a pumpkin as big as he is.

We went to Covington today and visited with Uncle Doug. Jim liked Uncle Doug and was too busy looking at him to look at the camera.

While we were in Covington, we stopped by Mom's old house where she and Weyman were working. Here, Mom is pointing out her beautiful old holly trees.

After visiting with everyone in Covington, we headed out to Tabernacle Cemetery, where Dad's buried. The cemetery needs lots of work. I'm going to plan a work day and send letters to my relatives requesting help.

Minding my own business. . .

Oh, look, Gremlin dropped his bone.

I'll take that.

Oh! I'm sorry, was this yours?

Here you go.

What? You don't want it? I promise I won't pull your ears.

Ok, OR grab your tail.

Ok, then, that's fine. Means there's more for me.

(Not Pictured: Mommy rushing over, taking the bone and throwing it out of the room. Gremlin running and getting the bone when Mommy isn't looking and bringing it back to the baby. Repeat entire process.)

Michael, Jim and I visited Frannie and Jai today. Jai's about 12 weeks old, and just precious. ("Jai" is pronounced like "sky.")

Jim was fascinated with little Jai, but he didn't much like for Mom to hold his new cousin.

Yes, that is our seven year old sitting next to Frannie. He's nearly as tall as she is nowadays.

Jim leaned in and rested his head against Jai's in this picture.