Serious and Smiley

Mr. Serious

 Mr. Smiley

Happy Thursday!

Thanksgiving Week with All The Randells

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and it is also a tradition for our family to spend it together. Just about every year (except for a couple when I was in college and had finals the Monday after the holiday), we have been together. I have countless things to be thankful for, one of which is my family. My brother flew to VA from CA for the week, which was a nice treat for all of us. Here are some pictures from the week.

Mom and Dad with their newest grandson, Benjamin ;) He's so laid back he slept right through this picture!

Caleb is such a good helper around the house, and he loves to sweep the floor after he makes a huge mess at dinner!

Uncle Aaron at the farm with Caleb. Aaron was great with the boys, and Caleb had lots of fun showing him around all week.

Caleb is such a sweet boy, he loves giving out kisses and he insists they are on the lips!

Fall is just about over, but they still had some pretty pumpkins on display at the farm.

Caleb loves animals and he even got a little 'love peck' on the finger from one of the roosters.

A few of the other days we went to Caleb's favorite playground at the grade school. He is so adventurous and loves to go down the slides and play on the swings.

Grandma took this brave boy down the big slide

And loved on her little boy...he's a little young for the slide.

One of the things we appreciated was grandma waking up with Caleb every morning and letting us (well me, because Nathan had to work) sleep in. Caleb was her morning buddy and they had fun sharing cereal, playing, watching cartoons, reading, and learning new things. Grandma taught Caleb 'How big is Caleb?' He is 'This Big!'

Another day, mom, Aaron, Ben and I went to Warrenton for lunch and to walk around downtown. It was a beautiful day to be outside, and Aaron really enjoyed the small towns after coming from big city Los Angeles.

On Thanksgiving morning, we took family pictures. First up, Grandma and Grandpa with their grandsons.

The kids and grandkids

The Randell Family

My 'big' little brother and I

The Purcell Family 

Caleb needed a hug break after so many pictures.

That afternoon, Tom, Erin, and Jenna joined us for Thanksgiving lunch. We were so glad they could come over and celebrate with us. Every year, my dad cooked the turkey. This year, Aaron took over the honor and dad make side dishes. The entire meal was delicious, and Erin topped it off with her home baked pumpkin and apple pies.

Benjamin smiling at Erin:)

Caleb and Jenna at the playground. He shared his wagon so nicely....I think that means he likes her:). Future wedding?

Then Caleb decided he wanted to get inside his brother's stroller...haha!

That evening, we took Aaron to the Manassas Battlefield to see the sunset, and Nathan filled him in on some Civil War history.

We were thankful my family could come to visit. We enjoyed spending time with them, and we really appreciated their help with the boys, doing our laundry and dishes, cooking, and for my dad painting Caleb's room. I know they will miss the boys (and us), and we will look forward to seeing them again soon, we love you!

Thankful

Happy Thanksgiving! As I woke up today, I thought about the countless blessings in my life. I am thankful for our Creator. I am thankful for my family near and far, my sweet husband and two healthy sons, and that my immediate family is here to celebrate Thanksgiving with us today. I am thankful for our good friends, old and new, and that we could celebrate with some of them too. I am thankful for my freedom and for those who fight to defend it. There are so many other things I am thankful for, but one I want to include is that I am also thankful for digital cameras and the Internet to share pictures and stories with those we love :).

I pray that I remember it is Thanksgiving everyday, for I have so much to be thankful.

Bull Run Mountain

On Saturday afternoon, Nathan, Ben, and I went to hike Bull Run Mountain, while Grandma and Grandpa took Caleb to the park and out to dinner. It was a gorgeous fall day to be outside, and Ben's first hike...he slept the entire time!

 

We are very fortunate to live so close to beautiful nature! 

Hanging Out With Grandpa and Grandma

Grandpa Art and Grandma Sue have had a fun week hanging out with the boys. Caleb has enjoyed several different parks and playgrounds, wagon rides, and we even got to join Caleb for Thanksgiving lunch at his daycare. They have also really enjoyed cuddling with Ben. He is such a good baby and as long as he is fed and changed, he is a very happy guy:).

Thanksgiving with toddlers was pure cuteness! Caleb was excited to see us in the middle of the day. He showed us around his room, chased a couple of friends around, and then he shared his Thanksgiving meal with us.  Most of the pictures turned out blurry, but here is one of the kiddos eating with their families.

Nathan, Grandpa, and Caleb exploring in the woods

Sweet Benjamin

Grandpa and Ben

 

Grandma and Ben

 

Caleb shwoing grandpa and grandma his favorite park by the grade school!

 

 

Mommy and her blue-eyed and brown-eyed boys

Our family :)

My brother arrives in town this afternoon, stay tuned for more pictures later this week:)