30th Annual Thompson Family Reunion

This past Friday and Saturday the Thompson family met for our 30th annual family reunion. It is 2 days of eating and socializing that Harry and I look forward to every year. This year we got to introduce Alaina to our relatives and the festivities of the day.

Harry, his dad, and little Alaina sitting around the fire.

Harry and a very happy baby

This year Russ added homemade fried pickles to the menu... they were delicious!

The pigs ready to be pulled off the grill.

Pulling the pork off the bone.

Chopping the pork.
While the men work on preparing the meat for dinner, the ladies enjoyed a tea party (some even wore their pearls!)

Mama and Alaina at the tea party.

Laura feeding her favorite niece at the tea party (note the pearls!).

Alaina, Harry, and I ready for a dinner of chopped pork, baked beans, homemade slaw, and more desserts than you can imagine!

How Very Mad Men

Mad Men (one of Harry's and my favorite shows) is set in the early 1960s so I felt it fitting that it appeared int he title of this post. On Friday I made 3 pies for the Thompson Family Reunion (more pictures of that to follow) and I did it while having a baby strapped to me. I thought women of the 1950s/1960s would have been proud of me.

Too bad I forgot the 3 pies at home for the reunion. Oh well, more pie for Harry and me!

Our Pumpkin at the Pumpkin Patch

Yesterday Harry and I took Alaina to meet some friends and pick out a pumpkin at Carrigan Farms in Mooresville, NC (talk about your full fall weekend... leafing and pumpkin picking). We all had a great time and Alaina picked out a nice 24 pound pumpkin.

Alaina and me with the pumpkins.


Harry and Alaina with the pumpkins.


Alaina finally got to meet Ayla, too... Ayla was born 3 weeks after Alaina.

Me, Alaina, Ayla, Nicole, Ingrid, and Carson

Alaina will carve her pumpkin very soon; she has requested a happy face. More pictures of the carving will follow soon.

Leafing on the Blue Ridge Parkway

This weekend was beautiful and the leaves on the Blue Ridge Parkway were at peak viewing season so Harry, Alaina, and I drove up to look at the beautiful scenery.

Harry and I paused for a quick picture.

Alaina and Dolly hung out in her car seat.


We paused along the way for a picnic lunch at one of the overlooks... it was beautiful!


A family photo at our picnic site.

We ended our trip at the top of Mt. Mitchell.

Harry, Alaina, and I at the overlook on Mt. Mitchell.



Views from the top of Mt. Mitchell.

5 Weeks Old!

Today is Alaina's 5 week birthday. She is becoming more alert with each passing day and enjoying more activities.

Playing in the gym.

Tummy Time

Swinging

Hello Dolly!

Alaina loves to fall asleep to a shhhh sound. It calms her down and gives her something to focus on; this can be a problem for us when she wants us to shhhh for an hour as she falls asleep at night. Harry and I began looking at getting noise machines and then Megan and Mike recommended the Sleep Sheep. It is amazing... it makes 4 sounds for Alaina to enjoy and it has made going to sleep so much easier. She loves rain, ocean, and whale but isn't too crazy about river. Anyone with a baby that has trouble sleeping I would highly recommend sleep sheep!

Alaina and "Dolly" the Sleep Sheep (Harry named the sheep Dolly after the first cloned sheep).

Happy 1 Month, Alaina!

Yesterday (10/10/10) Alaina turned 1 month old. I can't believe how fast the first month has gone. Harry and I love her more than we could ever imagine and look forward to many more months/years ahead.

Harry, Alaina, and I after church


Tummy Time on the floor!

Happy Birthday/Welcome Home!

On Saturday Harry, Alaina, and I took our first road trip to Raleigh to celebrate my nephew, Weston's first birthday and my brother, Clay's R&R from Afghanistan. We had a great trip and Alaina did so well in the car and at the party.

Weston, Karen, and Clay

Weston, Clay, Alaina, and I

Alaina, me, Mom, Clay, and Weston

Mikey (from Moving Along with M&M) and Alaina hanging out at the party.

Tummy Time!

Alaina has been enjoying some tummy time the past few days right after her afternoon feeding. She is getting stronger every day and is really working on raising her head. She also looks pretty cute while playing.

Welcome Home, Clay!

Today, my brother Clay arrived home from Afghanistan for his R&R. We are so glad to have him back in the states even if it is for just a short visit. He is scheduled to be home from this deployment in December. Harry, Alaina, and I will travel to Raleigh this weekend to see him and celebrate Weston's first birthday. We can't wait to see him and introduce him to his newest niece, Alaina.

Weston and Clay

Check out my sister-in-law's website for more pictures: My Goal is Simple.

Fashionista

Alaina is really into fashion and is always trying new looks.

This was the look she was sporting yesterday; notice the curls on top of her head.

This is her look today. We were at this expensive little boutique (Target) and Alaina picked out these sunglasses for our walks. Who knows what style tomorrow will bring...

Sharing

Yesterday, Harry and I discovered that Alaina is very good at sharing. While she was swinging away, both Joey and Phoebe were using her things. We were a little worried the cats wouldn't adjust to life with a baby well; I think the following pictures prove they are doing alright.

Joey in the gym.

Phoebe in the stroller.

Alaina in the swing.

Like Father, Like Daughter