October and November Updates

Our blog posts of late have certainly been few and far between. Now that we have overcome packing, swine flu, and most of the hurdles involved in moving, we're hoping to remedy that. Since we updated regularly in October we have been busy, busy, busy. October saw a visit from Great Aunt Tori who stayed with us for part of a Boston conference. We always enjoying showing off Salem and all of its sights, but this visit was extra special, because Aunt Tori was the first family member to get to see the new house during our final walk-through. (Below: Aunt Tori in front of a Salem home decorated for Halloween)

Shortly after Aunt Tori's visit, we signed all of the paperwork and officially became homeowners! The following month was undoubtedly the busiest and most stressful month of our lives. At times the tasks involved with packing up an old household and preparing the new one seemed overwhelming. Thank goodness David's parents were able to come for two weeks to help with laying new floors, loading boxes, keeping Avonlea Jane entertained, and overseeing the move. During their stay, Grandma and Grandpa R were lucky enough to take part in Salem Halloween madness. Avonlea Jane was adorable in her costume as a ferocious lion, and she thoroughly enjoyed seeing everyone else in their costumes. (Once we get more Halloween pictures, we will post them.)

Queen of the jungle

Above: Mommy and Daddy recreating the V-J Day celebration
Below: A baby tired of moving

Once Grandma and Grandpa R returned home, we were sure they were in need of a vacation from their vacation time. We were glad they were here to not only help but to celebrate Avonlea Jane's first birthday a little early with us, as were her Grandma and Grandpa C and Uncle Dillon when they came the weekend before her birthday. On Avonlea Jane's actual birthday we didn't do much to celebrate other than make her favorite foods and let her go crazy with a box of tissues, and we spent Liv's birthday in Newburyport. The weekend after both birthdays, we went to Plymouth to celebrate.

Grandpa C and Uncle Dillon try out some of Avonlea Jane's birthday toys:

Avonlea Jane on her birthday enjoying her new room and rocking horse

Below: Playing with tissues

Above: Mabel enjoying the spoils of Avonlea Jane's birthday
Below: Seeing the Newburyport Christmas tree erected on Mommy's birthday

We started the tradition of going to Plymouth the weekend before Thanksgiving the first year we moved to Massachusetts. It is the weekend the town celebrates both Veterans' Day and Thanksgiving with their annual parade and Chowder Fest. Just like at the kick off to Haunted Happenings in October, Avonlea Jane showed us how much she loves a parade and that she has inherited her mother's love of patriotic music. Her favorite parts of the parade were of course the marching bands. What is particularly interesting about the Plymouth parade bands are the high numbers of drum and fife bands (from the Boston Police to Revolutionary reenactment groups) and alumni bands composed of former high school musicians. During this weekend, the Plimouth Plantation also celebrates with an authentic 1629 Harvest dinner. We were fortunate that much of the menu for the feast was baby-friendly. In fact, out of the three little girls at our table (ages 1, 7, 9), Avonlea Jane ate the most, earning the comment from one fellow diner: "Wow, your girl can eat!"

Plymouth Harbor

Sitting with pilgrims

Avonlea Jane at Plymouth Rock

At the Mayflower II

The annual Plymouth Coast Guard rescue exhibition

People lining up for the parade

We arrived just at the start of the opening concert tribute to the Armed Forces, which is a good thing, because we love military theme songs.

The Air Force Show Choir performs

Revolutionary reenactment troupe/troop

Even the British get a spot in the parade

Not so politically correct balloons


Mayflower model

Above: Avonlea Jane is getting bored with the parade
Below: Mom and baby between the Wampanoag Site and 1629 village at Plimouth Plantation

We enjoyed our Thanksgiving trip to Plymouth almost as much as we enjoyed our Thanksgiving at home. We were lucky to have the new house in a state where we could open it up for our first holiday here, and we filled it. We were blessed to have a dinner of fifteen, which required some fancy furniture maneuvering to be able to fit everyone seated at tables in one room. We are so thankful that we have a new house to fit all of our friends and such wonderful friends to fill up our home. We enjoyed a grand night of feasting, song, and games. Thank you to everyone who traveled to join us.

As we settle into our new home, we are crossing things off our to-do/to-fix/to-paint/to-buy/to-pray-about lists and constantly adding new ones. The next few months will be busy, especially with the holidays. We're going to make a definite effort to be more active with the blog, but please have patience. We also want to thank everyone for all of their wonderful birthday wishes. With much embarrassment for our tardiness, we promise everyone will receive thank you cards before Avonlea Jane's next birthday. ; )