Happy Thanksgiving

We spent Thanksgiving here in Nashville. And let me toot my own horn by saying that I cooked THE ENTIRE DINNER MYSELF! We had turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, creamed onions, cranberry, rolls, and sparkling apple cider. Ok, I didn't make the cider but I refrigerated it, I didn't can the cranberry but I put it in the pretty bowl, and I didn't let the yeast rise for the rolls but I did bake them. And it was all pretty good. I learned a few things from my first turkey: a) don't believe everything you read on the internet. Slow roasting a turkey doesn't work even though the author said it was "the very best way to cook a turkey ever." b) 9 pounds is entirely too much turkey for 3 people, especially when one of those people is 2 years old and only likes a food for a matter of minutes. c) there is more than one body cavity you must search for totally gross and completely creepy baggies of turkey insides. I am convinced that the extra bag of giblets negatively effected my cooking time thus slightly over cooking and drying the turkey. Seriously, THREE bags of nastiness, who knew?!

Hanging out on the couch while the turkey cooks itself.
Hailey dressed herself for the special day.

Parker thought she looked hysterical.



A Maupin family Turkey day.

Parker may not sit at the table, but he sure did look cute and I'll be feeding him turkey later!


Such a big boy! Hailey has entered the room in this picture so Parker will no longer look at me. That big sister of his is a riot!

Hailey would only eat turkey, refused to even try the side items...so sad. But the large amount of turkey she ingested knocked her out and she was in bed by 7:30. Got to love that tryptophan!!

Hunting for the perfect leaf

Last week we took Hailey and Parker to Loveless Cafe for lunch and then drove part of the Natchez Trace hunting for fall leaves. Sadly we missed the peak of colors as most of the leaves were on the ground instead of the trees! But that just meant that we could collect them, along with acorns, to take to Hailey's school.

I've got more than just junk in my trunk :)





Now I know why they have the emergency escape hatch in there.
"Are you people serious..."

Hailey always makes me feel so pretty

The other day Hailey was 'cutting' my hair. In essence, she was rubbing things on my head, making me a frizzy mess. At the end of our session she stood in front of me, held my face in her hands and said "Mom, put your neck up so I can see your WHOLE chin." Thanks honey, I feel so pretty.

La Leche League

I walked into Hailey's room and found her in this position.

Please notice the accuracy of her technique. This is the cross cradle latch, although I fear she is offering a little too much head support. Thank goodness she has a Boppy pillow (in reality that is one of those pillows you wrap around your neck when you travel), it really helps make nursing so much more comfortable.

When I walked in she was just sitting there swinging her legs and she said "Mom, Charlie is hungry ALL the time." Its tough, really tough.

Awwwww, Miami in November

As I type this, it is about 42 degrees in Nashville. Less than a week ago, I was wearing my bathing suit.

We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday afternoon to the sweet sound of my girl screaming "GO OBAMA!!!" to my Republican father down the terminal of the airport. Yep, taught her well...no, I'm not a good winner :) That evening the Renfroe kids joined us for dinner at Grammy and Grampy's, dad probably enjoyed their more conservative outlook.

Parker meets cousin Payton, with Hailey looking on and giving instructions.

And then on to cousin Marshall, or mac daddy cabbage patch.

Hailey and cousin Chloe enjoyed the local dining (caramel rice cakes) and a little TV down time.

Thursday morning Auntie Kimmie arrived for her snuggles!

In the afternoon we drove up to Boynton Beach to visit with the Rick Perrin family. There was an unreal amount of dress up, play time in Jade's room, swimming in the jacuzzi, and then the tub to end all tubs. All followed by a complete meltdown in the car on the way home. Great fun comes with a great price.

Auntie Mef lovin' on the little man.

This was taken during the aforementioned bath. Let me just say there was singing, dancing, and water flying. I have a fabulous video that will resurface for future blackmail purposes.

Friday we made it to Grammy and Grampy's pool. And never fear, my girl is still a fish.

Parker's first visit to the pool was met with much enthusiasm...and a whole lot of sleep...

and some bonding with Grampy who also fell asleep! Parker does seem to cause an outbreak of narcolepsy everywhere we go.

After a long and refreshing nap, we all headed to the Johnson's for a family dinner. Hailey continues her love affair with cousin Bryce. She just adores him, its too cute!...and Parker loved on cousin Shelby, but it is currently 5:30am my first night at work with NO NAP and I just accidentally deleted her picture and will have to upload it again at home. Sorry Shelby!

"Hey Auntie Kari, see how grown up I am holding my head up like a big boy? I'll be chasing my sister around in no time!"

Saturday morning Jona ran a 10k with Mike out on Key Biscayne. Made them feel manly. We met up with them at the park later that afternoon for a picnic lunch and to see Bryce's football game. However, there was a kink in the plans when we ladies (and Parker) went to the wrong park thus missing the game and delaying lunch!

That evening Parker got one of many baths in Grammy's bathroom sink. Such a fabulous chunk monster! Next visit he will graduate to the kitchen sink.

Sunday the boys (aka Jona, Mike, Keith, and Ricky) went fishing on the Renfroe's boat. No girls were invited. Next visit its our turn! No doubt we would catch bigger fish boys :)

Instead of fishing, we went to Pinecrest Gardens and played our hearts out. They have a little water park section, playground, petting zoo, and a family of the biggest iguanas I have ever seen. This is Bryce and Hailey being way too cool.

After holding it for way too long, Marshall finally had to let loose :)


Monday we tried to take Hailey to the beach by mom and dad's, only to find that it is closed on weekdays because they don't have a lifeguard. We were told we could play on the sand but could not get in the water. I wasn't sure who was going to explain that to Hailey so we opted for the pool instead. Parker snuggled.

and snuggled...

Tuesday we finally made it to the beach. It was incredibly windy and kind of stinky weather most of the time we were there, but that didn't stop anyone from having fun. All the kids were out of school for Veteran's Day so we got one more day of cousin playdate extravaganza.

Parker is in the stroller and didn't come out much because it was so windy. He'll enjoy it more next time!

Geez we're cute!

All in all it was a wonderful trip. Now we're home, I'm back at work, I have a cold and its freezing outside. Can't wait for the next vacation!!!

Parker says, "I'll give you something to smile about..."

The Winds of Change

Amazing. Simply amazing.

Bring on the change President Obama.

Buddah Beefcake

Parker had his 2 month check up today. He is now 12 1/2 lbs and 24 1/2 inches long! The glutton has gained 2 lbs and grown 2 inches in the past week and a half!!!

Perhaps his content personality can be attributed to his big sister's great attitude...

Sugar Rush

The Maupin family Halloween was a sugar filled extravaganza of fun!

Hailey's class had a party..."A classroom party for everyone" as it was described. Apparently there was some confusion among the students as to who the party was for. Was is Kathleen's birthday party? No. Was is Ella's birthday party? Nope. Was it Bryson's birthday party? No sir. This was a "classroom party for everyone." And don't you forget it!

The kids were all adorable in their costumes. And the parents were rather cute too, all running around with their cameras eating pigs in their blankets (not sure how to properly make that plural) and rice krispie treats...oh wait, that was just me :)

Hailey was of course the cutest one there. No doubt, hands down, the smartest too!

Parker dressed up too- as the fluffiest, most lovable baby on the block. He was quite a hit with parents and kids alike.

Ahhhhhhh. We are so sweet.

The party proved too much for the little man who slept through most of trick or treating in the bjorn! No Mr. Goodbar's for him.

Hailey on the other hand was a master trick or treater. She had every household wrapped around her little finger as soon as they opened the door. According to Hailey, everyone was waiting just for HER. Just for the honor of seeing how beautiful she was. People stayed up late just for the opportunity to put candy in her pumpkin bag. Lucky girl...lucky neighbors.