AT THE PARK AGAIN...

We skipped the actual tour this time and just stopped by for photo ops and gift shop purchases. The boys came away with their very own National Parks Passport Books (with their first stamps, of course) and dueling hats:

James was fond of the cannons...

THANKFUL AND HAPPY

We have so much to be thankful for this year. More than we can even say. But we will mention the continued good health of our family and friends. For the past few years we've been watching our nearest and dearest go through surgeries and cancer treatments, and we're just so grateful that all have come out on top and continue to amaze their doctors. We're hoping that 2010 will be a year of fresh starts for all of you!

And, of course, we're beyond thankful for our little cutie, and the fact that we are able to spend this holiday with family. This is the first time we've all been in the same house for an extended period, and it couldn't be going better (though we admit, we have kept "Risk" under lock-and-key, not that the babes have allowed us much adult game-playing time anyway). Thanks for visiting Bacons - you are excellent house guests and endlessly entertaining - we love you guys! (Don't mind James' pout - he's teething again - he adores his Auntie T'in and Uncle Davey): Now, on to the Thanksgiving festivities...

Jay started the day by prepping the turkey: Then I attempted a new maple candied yam recipe, which resulted in flaming marshmallows:

Don't worry, Jay came to the culinary rescue as per usual and saved the dish. The end result was one fully-laden table (please note the beautiful and delicious pies that Taryn made - they were certainly the favorite, as we polished them off in 2 sittings...):

We introduced James to meat today and for the first time he was able to eat "table food". Meaning, we pureed some of the finished turkey and gave him a scoop of mashed potatoes, and let him self-feed while we dined. He seemed to like the turkey, but was still not a big fan of the potatoes (even though this time they had milk and butter added). Oh well, it was a good exercise. Gobble Gobble bib courtesy of his Grambot, and pirate plate courtesy of his Auntie and Uncle (it suctions to the tray, so that "theoretically" he can't fling it):

Then, as if 2 varieties of pies plus ice cream weren't enough, we ended the night with a raging campfire and Smores (because let's face it, we can't have guests visit the Lindsay household without experiencing the fire pit and night noises):

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you out there, near and far. We hope your holiday season has kicked off as sweetly as ours has!

TWO FOR TWO

Taryn and I took the boys shopping. It was the first time either of us had driven with TWO babies and TWO carseats in the car. My little Honda looks pretty full, doesn't it?

By the time we got home (and no, we weren't marathon shopping - we were gone MAYBE two hours), both boys had passed out. They are SO darn cute...

BATH BOYS

Documenting the boys' first bath duet, and first bath in the big tub

And a little bit of craziness to end the night...

DOS DEUCE

After 2 full days of twin duty, we decided to send D&T out for a date night and take a turn at caring for 2 under 2. Well, D&T were right, it isn't hard, but they do keep you busy! We had so much fun watching the boys play together, then rushing around to get the 4 of us fed and bathed by bedtime. Good times.

Here are the little cuties "backin' it up" into the corner of the living room (Eli is an expert spider crawler - in reverse, and James always manages to scoot and roll himself under the couches):

They were literally climbing on top of each other (backwards, of course):

Jay supervised while I made dinner:

Then it was time for peaches (James) and yogurt (Eli). James was very interested/distracted by Eli sitting above him in the highchair, but still finished his fruit, Mum Mums, and many Puffs before Jay got even half a dozen bites into Eli:

They both enjoyed working with their sippy cups:

Next was a tag-team bath adventure. We did Eli first, since James has been fussing about taking baths in the big tub alone this week (I guess he's gotten too used to us showering and bathing with him over the past month), and we didn't want him to be a bad influence on Eli. Of course, Eli was perfect in the tub. He's a big splasher! And he has more hair to wash. James listened from across the hall and tried his best to scoot/roll his way to the bathroom to see what was going on. True to form, when it was his turn he was no longer interested in bathtime though. He did get into it eventually and enjoyed playing with his rubber ducky. Eli played with the blocks while James got his scrubbin'. Oh yeah, and both boys hooked us up with dirty diapers right before their baths... aren't they sweet?

The aftermath was extremely adorable - 2 clean kiddos in their jammies:

They may not LOOK that different in size, but Eli is wearing size 18-month PJs while James still has room to grow in his 9-months:

After a little more playtime, it was time for bottles and bed, so Jay headed upstairs with James while I fed Eli. The little cutie slept through his last ounce and was too tired to even try to burp. D&T arrived home not 10 minutes later, so they got to tuck their little man into bed. We'll call it a success - we had fun, they had fun, and everybody went to sleep on time, clean and full.

WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE?...

...if we had had twins? David and Taryn are getting a taste of that this week. Check out Taryn and her masterful multitasking mommy skills last night after dinner:

We've already decided that taking care of two 8-month-old boys is a piece of cake... with 4 adults! We'll see how D&T feel by the end of today though, going it alone...

TOO CUTE FOR WORDS

REUNITED!

James and Eli are together again! The Bacons are visiting for the whole week and we are SO EXTREMELY HAPPY to have them here!! Be prepared for many more photos of these handsome little dudes...

The boys are playing so well together. They're even "sharing" their toys. And they're quite interested in each other, always watching each other and smiling and squealing at each other. We're seriously LOVING this!

Check out that cheezer grin and those GORGEOUS eyes! We have the cutest nephew EVER:

Uncle Davey feeds James some squash:

They WERE both on their tummies looking at me cute, but James tipped over...

And Uncle Davey says it's never too early for music lessons:

James was impressed:

Stay tuned... we have many more days of cousin cuteness on the way...

MORE FROM MEMPHIS

James hanging out with some of his toys on the hotel bed:

James checking out the newly erected Christmas tree in the Marriott lobby (most of the ornaments were larger than his head):

Me receiving an award for Best Poster in my session (sorry about the blur, Jay was sitting far from the stage and it was dark in the auditorium):

And that's a wrap! James had a good week in Memphis and he was once again a great traveler, but not such a good hotel sleeper... between the dry hotel air, teething, and a stuffy nose, he weaseled his way into bed with us every single night. Like clockwork, 12:30am hit and the night was a mess from there on out. Hopefully he'll settle back into his usual wonderful sleep routine now that we're home...

MEMPHIS OR BUST

I had to travel for my first overnight work trip today, to a conference in Memphis. Luckily, Jay is also presenting this week, and Jean was able to come along to help take care of James, so we're making it a family trip. James even helped me set up my poster this afternoon: Then he took his first trolley ride, down to Beale Street (he was very interested in everything passing by outside):Where we met The Peabody Marching Ducks:Here they are making their grand evening departure along their red carpet (note Jay and James directly in front of me):

One view down Beale Street, where we ate dinner at Blues City Cafe:

James cuddled under the new blanket his Grandma made him:

Then finished out the night with dinner in bed:
It's going to be a fun week!

GRANDMA'S GOT ME!

She's baaa-aack...

James has the undivided attention of his Grandma for a whole week and he's pretty darn excited about it!

1ST SCHOOL PHOTO

Not the cheesy background we were hoping for, or James' usual cheesy grin, but he looks quite handsome sitting up like a big boy on that fancy chair (and he was probably too busy talking to the photographer to smile). Don't worry grandparents, your copies go in the mail tomorrow!

P.S. James' 2nd tooth broke through today. No wonder he was able to eat a piece of broccoli off my fork the other night... He'll be ready for turkey by Thanksgiving!