Pilgrims at Oak Ridge

It was wonderful seeing Melanie and the boys this weekend. Caleb is just getting huge! And so smiley, at least when he's not tired. When we first got there Friday night, he was feeling very tired, and Jeff greeted him with a friendly kiss on the head, which caused his sweet face to melt and big, gigantic crocodile tears to come out. But Saturday morning was a new day, filled with lots of laughs and giggles. Sam continues to be a big talker. And a big lover of all things round and/or mechanical. We talked for a long time about the gears that turn the paddles on this contraption my mom has. And I threw a lot of rocks into the lake. I love being an aunt.

This post is a shout out to our nephew Sam. Hi Sam!! Sam is two. The last time Aubrey and I got to visit Sam was back around Thanksgiving. Sam is very smart, and very talkative, and loves balls. Especially his big red ball. Sam is also a very diligent learner. He loved to carry his big red ball around the house and quiz himself... "what color big red ball?" "big red ball red." I've been feeling especially kin unto Sam recently. I've just begun trying to learn German as part of my most recent masters degree. I like to use it regularly, so I stay sharp, but I only know a few words. I can't carry on a conversation yet, so I just walk around the house saying... "Welche farbe roten ball?" "Roten ball ist rot." Keep up the good work Sam! Let's hang out soon!

So I'm a little late getting to this December photo project, but I do like the idea of just trying to post photos, since that requires a little less thought than actually writing something. So here are three photos for your viewing pleasure, taken in Iowa, which did technically happen in November, but I've been wanting to post them anyway. My new, very sweet nephew Caleb. He loves to smile and is super ticklish. Notice Sam moving? He is hard to capture without a flash. Notice all of the balls stacked inside the jar? That was also his doing.

Caleb Austin Rampey 7 lbs, 15 oz, 20 and 1/4 in. long Born 8/29/08 at 7:06 am Congratulations to Andrew, Melanie , and big brother Sam . We love you and can't wait to meet Caleb.

As I said earlier, we had a great time with Dave, Hannah, and the kids. There is something just wonderful about hearing your two-year-old nephew call you "Auby" and "Bwo" (for "Bro") and talk about the dog "Lu-key." I just melted. Ashlyn gets prettier every time we see her, and Jack is really just all boy now - he seemed so much more grown up. I also enjoyed sleeping in this weekend, not working at all, and eating some delicious bruschetta (which Jack loved - this is one kid with sophisticated taste), grilled pizza , and baked oatmeal . It was sad when they left on Monday, but it left us trying to figure out when we'll get to see them again - Christmas, maybe? We hope so.

So here is Jackson showing us all where his belly button is... Mmm...breakfast.... Sweet Ashlyn...with her serious face. Happy!!

Fun video from our trip! Apparently someone likes to watch football with his dad.

My new favorite Christmas decoration. A modification of this pattern . I made a bunch last year , but it's a fun, quick, and cute pattern so I couldn't resist adding a few more. But here is what else I'm looking at these days: Do we have cute genes in this family or what?

I just could not resist posting these Halloween photos. After all, the only sure-fire way to make an exceedingly cute little boy even cuter is to dress him up like a leopard.

We have a niece! Ashlyn Fields Tell 7.7 lbs, 20 in brown hair and blue eyes Congrats to Dave and Hannah

He's especially cute when he eats.