Feasting with the family

Huxley meets Glori and Grace with Ashley and Alan in the background.

Part of the fun of the Thanksgiving holiday was that Huxley got to meet most of the members of the Florida family. We had a Hugging Huxley gathering the Saturday before Thanksgiving so as many family members as were available could come over and visit. That night we had an Italian style feast with spaghetti sauce that Stephen had made and pasta shells stuffed with spinach and cheese. Both the Geary side and the Schoene side of the family were included in this gathering.

Andrea arrived and had a great time visiting early one morning with son and grandson

At Maureen's house on Thanksgiving day, Huxley got to spend time with my sisters Teresa, Peggy and Kate, among many other guests. There were thirty-eight of us in all counting babes in arms.

Pop Pop, Katherine and Huxley before the Thanksgiving feast

This is the group shot that one of the newest members of the family, Alan Fraebel, Ashley's fiance, took of everyone. 

This year we celebrated three engagements - Ashley and Alan, who got engaged in July, David and Kati, who got engaged on August 23, and Jessica and Matt, who got engaged on August 23. Jessica and Matt did not attend nor did Madeline.  Zack, Kara's husband, was not feeling well, and Noah, Rachel Horne's boyfriend, had to work in North Carolina. I count 38 pictured here - quite a group even with some missing. And there was so much delicious food - all of the cooks did amazing things with each dish. Thanks to Maureen and Don for hosting us all.

Thanksgiving

Today is Christmas Eve and Huxley's six month birthday. Wish we were together so I could give him a hug and a happy birthday kiss.

But this year it was the Thanksgiving holiday when we were all together. Stephen and I returned to Florida early in November. Katherine and Huxley came to Florida for two weeks. Gabe and his Mom, Andrea arrived on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and David, Kati, and Charli arrived Thursday morning.

During the two weeks that Katherine and Huxley were with us, we got a lot of time to hold the little guy and enjoy all the new noises, gestures and expressions a five month old makes. Katherine also got a chance to visit with old friends and their children. Graham and her two daughters - baby Graham and Paige - came over one day to meet Huxley.

It was also a time for Katherine to let Huxley try a bit of solid food. Here he is excited to have some rice cereal. He also got a taste of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving dinner.

You could tell that Huxley was ready for some solid food by the way he so enthusiastically leaned in to every bite his Mom offered. 

This is one of my favorite pictures taken during the visit. Kara lent Katherine the Bumbo seat, which is a great little chair for supporting little guys who are not quite able to sit up on their own yet.

Our little Red Hot Chili Pepper

Huxley's first halloween costume

Happy Four Months Birthday, Huxley

Huxley is four months old

Huxley Stylin'

I am trying to upload pictures that Katherine has sent me since I left Idaho. Not sure if this is one or not, but he sure is cute.

This is one I know I have received since my return to Florida. Since Gabe is in the eye wear business, I am sure Huxley will have many opportunities to try out the latest fashions in sun glasses.

Huxley in his bear snow suit

I love this video of Huxley that Katherine sent to us. I love that he is clearly trying to verbalize a response to her questions and comments. Kath says he'll be skiing before we know it, but clearly he will be talking soon too. Not sure the video is working correctly. Still not clear on what to do to fix it. 

Home sweet new home

Katherine and Gabe's new home. The first change Gabe plans to make is to take the star down. 

Before the fires started, Katherine and Gabe had put in an offer on a house (duplex) in Ketchum. They were scheduled to close while we were away, so their banker, Maggie, another great friend and refugee we spent time with in Boise, arranged for the closing to take place in Denver. When we got back to Ketchum, Katherine  went by the house for the first time as an owner. Kath and Gabe want to do quite a bit of work on the house before they move in, so we took some pictures to document the "before" stage. One exciting feature of the house is that it has a great backyard where Hux will get to play. Gabe has been telling him all about the snowmen they will build together and the games they will play in that backyard.  I keep imagining all the flowers I will help them plant. Peonies to start!

This shows the back of the house and the backyard.

A view of the living room from the kitchen. This will be the first time Kath will have a fire place in Idaho.

A view of the kitchen from the living room. They plan to redo the kitchen as soon as possible.

A view of the master. They want to redo and expand  the closet and the bathroom.

A view of the master bath - this is the first project they want to do.