Sunday night we met the Bush family and some others in Celebration to see the "snow" and have dinner. Fun was had by all. Mattie saw plenty of real snow in Boston this year and told us that she goes to Anabel and Sophia's to see snow. Look out Renee and Shane we may be back next winter!

The family in the Florida "snow".


What is this soap stuff?!

Are foam flakes like snowflakes, each one unique?

Sleeping baby warm and cozy in daddy's care.

Happy Birthday Candy Vann!!!!

Today is Nonna's birthday. Saturday night we had a surprise party for her. Here is video of Mattie, and everyone else, but mostly Mattie, singing "Happy Birthday".

Mattie in her christmas candy cane pajamas.


Teag helping us decorate!


Mattie and Mommy having lunch.

Mattie wearing mommy's shades.

M-A-T...T-I-E...M-O-U-S-E...MATTIE MOUSE!

The other day we were going to eat dinner outside so we brought Teag's exersaucer out with us. Bubba and I had stepped inside to get some things when we heard this joyous laughter. I ran to get the camera. Mattie was jumping and dancing in front of Teag and he was just laughing and laughing.

Teag is 10 months old today!! He has two teeth, the bottom two. He is babbling and making all kinds of cute and sloppy spitting sounds, often complete with bubbles. He says "dada". He is not crawling yet but does lots of scooting around on the floor moving mostly backwards. He loves to be standing. He's still not very stable but he loves to get those legs working. He'll pull to a stand with very little assistance. He laughs A LOT and it's Mattie who gets him laughing more than anyone else.



He and Mattie were playing firefighters--wonder where they got that idea.


One of Teag's favorite books.


My first sneakers!

Good thing daddy has lots of hair.

Thought we would share some pictures from our tree decorating day. Mattie placed the star on top and hung all of her special ornaments from her Nonna and Papa, as well as a new Cars one she picked out this year. Teag sat and watched the lights and when we were done Daddy took him up the ladder to get a closer look at the star.

Make a Smilebox greeting

We spent Thanksgiving at my sister Kat's house in Augusta,GA. It was wonderful. The weather was cool and sunny. Almost perfect. My brother Brian came down from NC with his girlfriend and kids. Bubba brined and grilled the turkey. Mattie helped Craig make his homemade stuffing and Kat, Steph and I made the sides. I also made a homemade cranberry sauce. We played outside and later sat by the fire pit. It was a great trip.

Before we arrived Craig had raked a huge pile of leaves in his yard for Mattie to play. SHE HAD A BLAST! We went over to his house at least once a day while we were up there to jump in the leaves. We even got Mattie a small rake to help reconstruct the pile after we were jumping and burying each other in it.

The Vann family in the leaves.


Colleen and Mattie having some fall fun.


Teag and Bubba playing in the leaves. Teag enjoyed the pile of crinkling, colorful leaves and did not fuss a bit when we sat him in the pile.


Where's Mattie?

Teag in his bed of leaves.

Craig, Kat and Mattie.

Craig, Teag and Kat in the leaves.

Mommy and Mattie.

Kat and Mattie on a cold Georgia morning.

Colleen and Bubba. (yes, I took the picture,but it turned out pretty good)

Our beautiful Thanksgiving hostess, my wondeful sister and best friend, Kat Walsh holding our handsome boy.

Teag and my brother Brian's daughter McKenzie.

Alex, Jace and Mattie roasting marshmellows over the fire pit.

Mattie enjoying what she says "makes her happy'---CHOCOLATE!! I don't what's sweeter the chocolate or that smile.

The gang outside at Kat's house. left to right--Jace, Alex, Stephanie, McKenzie, Brian, Mattie, Kat, Teag, and Bubba.

Great picture of the three Thomas Vanns: Thomas Edward Vann III (Papa), Thomas Edward Vann IV (Bubba) and Thomas Ezechiel Gistinelli Vann (Teag). Sure are a handsome bunch!

We had Teag's 9 month check up on Friday (11/21). He is 16.12 lbs. and I don't remember right now how long he measured. Based on the developmental progress of a 6 month old, Teag's corrected age, the doctor actually said he seems to be a bit ahead of the curve! He's sitting very well, responding to his name, babbling, scooting, alternating objects between his two hands, reaching for things, and even pulling to a stand. The doctor just kept saying that he was doing very well and that he was very strong. We all knew he was strong. The little guy has been through a lot in his
life so far. Often times I just lie there, stare into his sweet eyes and thank God for him. At this point we can not know how much being born 13 weeks early will effect his development and mental capacity in the future, but I am just thankful that he is alive and healthy.
Mattie is 38.5 inches and such a sweet and caring big sister. She hugs and kisses him several times throughout the day. She's been calling him "brother" a lot lately. It's mostly goes "Hey Teag. Hey brudder." and then she'll hug him or give him a toy. Last night as I was lying with her as she went to sleep she said to me after she turned off her light."Do you know what Mommy?" So I said "What?" She said to me, in a sleepy tone "I love you...so much." Then she went to sleep. God has blessed me with such wonderful children. Mattie is so compassionate. The other night Bubba was saying that his eyes hurt from his contacts, so Mattie said "Daddy, we'll take care of you. We know about your eyeballs."
We are off to my sister Kat's in Augusta, GA for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Pray that we have safe travels.

Mattie helping Mommy check out the fire truck. She was very excited to spray the hose, after she realized that she could open it all by herself.

Mattie's legs were cold so she improvised with what she had... clever girl!

My cousin Jane's husband Stuart is from England. A while back he got Bubba this great rugby jersey. Well, they sent one for Teag. Bubba was excited that it finally fit Teag and so the two of them wore them out to Mattie's dance class the other day. Thanks for the jerseys Stuart, Jane and Tallie!






Teag trying a sippy cup. At this point he chews on it more than anything else.

Out to lunch with Uncle Clint and Aunt Crystal.

I love my Aunt Crystal! (Crystal, you look good holding a baby.)

Mattie and Bachi playing outside. Mattie was wearing pants but decided she wanted to wear a dress because Bachi was wearing one. So Mattie went inside and put on her "cherry dress" all by herself.

The other day we were inside went it started to rain. Mattie saw the rain and immediately said "It's not storming" , which was her way of asking if she could go play in the rain. She knows she can not if it is storming (thunder and lightning). Of course I said yes and we went out in the rain for awhile.

When the rain stopped we had these two beautiful rainbows visible from our back yard.

Bubba took Mattie and Teag to the Brevard Zoo. Below is a photograph of the rare Mattie-a-sauras just hatching from its shell.

The kids at the zoo.