The holiday season has begun

We went to Florida to visit my dad, step-mom, and the rest of the gang in Orlando over the Thanksgiving holiday. All of "the kids" were there (Charlie's children Michelle / Melissa / Freddie / Brad... my step-siblings). Unfortunately, I went to get the camera after the photo-op had passed. Some of their children were there too -- including Kyle (who visited us the week prior in Atlanta) and his sister, Kaitlin.

We spent a lot of time outdoors on Thanksgiving -- in the back yard, in the surrounding woods, by a fire pit, and by the koi pond. Mercer enjoyed feeding the fish. (Their pond has a little ledge around it that served as a good stopping-point for Mercer. He didn't seem to try to go into the pond like he does as ours.) We were able to get some nice photos of him and my dad ("grandpa") by the pond. Also, I mentioned how he turns his hands over / palms up when he says WHERE? Todd snapped a shot of him doing this by the koi pond. This is another "first" - him talking with his hands!

Dad and Charlie used to be volunteer fire-fighters. Dad used to collect fire engines (toys, antiques, etc). He had lots of things for Mercer to play with. I thought this was interesting... he had 2 perfectly good (noisy & lighted) fire trucks to play with, but he spotted a fire truck up on the ledge that was about 4' long... and Mercer kept pointing at that one. It starts young: wanting what you don't have. Ugh!

They also had a little scoot around toy for him to ride on. He "walked" it a lot moving it side-by-side instead of riding, but by the end of the day - he had it figured out more. Charlie's in the background... but again... I didn't take enough photos of everyone while there.

We stayed in a hotel this year and they had a little playground, a nature walk, and a pool - but it was just too chilly for the pool. We did not partake in any of the Disney Parks, although I imagine that we will check them out on future visits to Orlando!

This week, at home, we went to an Advent Festival that was being held at the church we've been visiting. We tried to get Mercer's face-painted, but he wouldn't sit still... he fought it as he thought he was being held down and tortured! SO, we moved onto a cake walk - which panned out well. He and I walked in circles 'til the music stopped and the square we were standing on was a winner - first try! We opted not for a cake, but for a plate full of gingerbread cookies. Mercer seemed to enjoy them. Here's a shot of a "scrunched-up" face that he makes sometimes & he thinks is hilarious. We think that it's funny, actually. Oh - he's going to be such a card!

The only other activity we did at the festival was draw on a Christmas card for a shut-in member of the church. (I added the Christmas message, but Mercer had fun playing with markers.) It was our first time to attend this festival. I'm sure we'll visit it again in years to come.

Have a great week.

Candice