It was juicy!

Wow, has it really gotten this bad? Am I really reduced to blogging only around major holidays? Huh, that gives me a sort of vague lapsed Catholic-y feeling.

We celebrated our first Thanksgiving in our new home last night, it was also our first Thanksgiving on our own. The implications of that go far beyond a little homesickness -- I was responsible for putting the whole spread on by myself. Yikes! BUT -- the turkey was golden brown and juicy (let's just not discuss the giblets), the pie was perfectly sweet and buttery and crusty (yep, I made the darn thing from scratch, crust included), the yams were sweet, and the stuffing utterly gourmet. And yes, I'm still patting myself on the back.

Other than that, we've played host a few more times over the last month. Recent guests include Toni, Gaye, Jess, Aidan, and Mary H. I love ya'll to pieces and welcome anyone and everyone with open arms at any time, but MAN. It's nice to finally get a normal routine going.

Toni and Sof:



Cousins in their matching PJs:



I'm long overdue for an update on what Sofia's been up to these days. She's becoming more and more confident every day, and has very recently started telling me no when I try to help her do certain things. Little Miss Independent. She can now climb up onto the couch and dining room chairs by herself, although she often uses the dogs as steps if they happen to be lying in the correct vicinity.

Walking and reading seem to be the activities du jour. If you ask Sof, there's nothing much better in the world than putting on a pair of froggy galoshes and going puddle stomping. Add in a hill to run up and down, and you've got pure bliss.

We've also entered the world of animal noises. So far we've got lions, cows, kitties, chicks, owls and crocodiles down pat.

Sof has also recently fallen in love with her new tricycle. And no, despite was the retro Radio Flyer and plaid pants may indicate, my child is NOT becoming a hipster.



And lest I forget, she still loves her tube and her German phrasebook.