Northern Trails

Jensen and I went to my sister's house to carve pumpkins.



The whole gang.



I don't know.

Jensen on one of the bunks of the Mayflower. I have since burned those clothes...

Jensen and Grandma Chrissie in front of the Mayflower in Plymouth MA.

After the Mayflower we went to Plymouth Plantation to "experience" life in the colony. Jensen found a homemade basket.

Some of the ladies from 1620. Don't worry, they wash their clothes once a month- I asked.

It looks like a cute place to eat, but if you're heading to Plymouth, you needn't bother. Though I like this lobster.


We saw Paul Revere's house in Boston



Jensen was so good through the whole trip.


Jence is starting to understand the need for Halloween.



The two of us at Niagara Falls.

Jensen as Yoda on the Canadian strip at Niagara. I wondered what the Pilgrims would say about the area- it's so gaudy.

We went whale watching in Cape Cod. We saw tons of them, it was really fun...and chilly...and wet...

Jence bundled up for his ocean adventure.

I decided to go ahead and feed him some cereal before bed because he had been waking me 3 and 4 times a night to eat- I was getting a liiiittle beat. This is his "first" feeding, ( really only a ceremonial first- he's already had chocolate, ice cream, cream cheese, bread, pretzel, and who knows what else thanks to grandma and his aunts.)we had no trouble with the spoon, by the end he was bouncing up and down and lounging at the spoon and the cup.

And soon he wanted to do it himself. I fear it's the beginning of the end.


This is the second time. We were old pros.

Kentucky

Grandma, Jence, Kiki and I took a trip to Kentucky. Kiki got tired of her seat on top of the cooler.



We went to the Art Fair in Louisville. The picture was supposed to illustrate how bored Jence looked, thus reassuring dad and grandpa Ron that living with so many girls is having no adverse affect on his manhood- but he smiled for the camera.



Jence enjoys a little kangaroo ride. We both love the pouch method of "pleeeeease don't put me down!" time.

I couldn't resist...

Daddy sent flowers for Momma's birthday.





Apparently they tasted delicious.

Uncle Terry gave Jensen a burp cloth turban, which he modeled for Grandpa.

Fun in Ohio

Aunts Becky and Tia got Jensen a jumper that he loves...though I'm worried that it might be teaching him to hit rather than jump because the lights and sounds go off when he does either, and he seems to prefer the former...

Momma and Jence on the tramp in Gramps' backyard.

Just chillin' like a big boy.

Bless you!

Finger chewing, a old favorite.

Gramps put a yellow ribbon out front of the house for Alex.

For Daddy- Finally

This is today. Jence has got a thing with his tounge...it's usually out in some form or another, though right here it's going back into the mouth. He has his red ringed eyes, which signal either recent waking or time for sleep.


So, here it is. The mom picture that dad has been begging for. Grandpa just snapped it at dinner.

Grandpa

Finally the last of the Labor Day pictures.



Grandpa is the only one big enough to burp Jensen the way he likes it, therefore it is his official job.



A perfect moment in the life of Grandpa. All the kids, doing what they do.

Leaving Germany & Arriving in VA

This is a bit out of order...

Roswietha, Liane, and Bruno said goodbye the evening before we left, out in the front yard.

Jensen had on the sweater Roswietha made for him. (It's still a bit big because she made it to be worn this fall)

Grandma and Grandpa were excited to meet Jensen- and of course Kiki has to be a part of anything involving her little brother.

Grandpa seems to the one who can elicit the most reaction from Jence. It surprises me every time how much he can get him to laugh.

Our Trip to NC

Here are a few more from Labor Day...

Of course Jensen and Isabella had to have a formal photo shoot.

One of the funniest looks I've seen...

Mister in his "What-delightful-insight-I never-thought-of-that" pose.

And for all you Kiki fans out there. Max was nervous around the dogs when he arrived on Saturday, but by Monday morning...

We spent Labor Day weekend at Paula and Isabella's house in North Carolina. Ephraim, Heather and Max met us there. Here are two of the moms and the proud uncle (who is so cute with his niece and nephews) with the chillens- who have a shared enjoyment of fist sucking.

Here is Jensen laughing at his uncle Jake.

Can you tell we're related? This is Jence and his cousin Isabella (who is twice as old as he is, and a fraction of the size.)

Jensen and Isabella became fast friends, what with their mutual interests (an affinity for batting at hanging toys and the aforementioned fist sucking), and common size, though Izzy did need some alone time to pursue her independent venture into teething.

Cousin Max is becoming a pro at "smooching"- Jensen has yet to figure it out.