Saturday, November 29, 2008

THANKSGIVING!

I got these a little out of order as I posted, so I will explain as I go. The Howells and most of the Cherry family gathered at our home (Grandma & Grandpa's) for The Dinner. We all wish we were still living in the mountains, and the subject comes up every time we share a holiday tradition.
Here are some pre-dinner pics, including Tori and Jeff,:

And Caleb with fiance Nikki:
AT the dinner table, horsing around; Caleb planting a kiss on his brother Keegan: (soon it will be an even match!)

Some of us had not yet seen Nikki's uniquely gorgeous engagement ring. Heidi and Nikki:

Tori, being Tori:


And Keegan, sans piano bench, but still making wonderful music:
Griffin, entranced:
After dinner snack; Dakota on his own:








Grandpa still carving as Carter digs in:









Avvi takes cover under the Thanksgiving tree:









Our table ala Norman Rockwell:




















Nova's first family gathering, at 2 weeks old. She seems to be enjoying it Grandpa cleans the carcass of turkey #2, for leftovers:


Tori, after-dinner boredom:

Caleb, "Up to here on tryptophans!"

The 3 lovely Howell girls:
Everyone gets a turn with Nova; here, cousin Jessica:

Cousin Leslie:

Aunt Becky:
Our Thanksgiving table, close-up:And otherwise:
As evidenced, above, I do not take good flash photos. For 2 reasons: I don't know how; and I don't like posed photos of people, so I have to hurry to get candid (some of these I said "hey", so I could catch a face) shot, thus not giving the flash much chance. A good time was had by all, whether captured in a photo or not; another downside of wanting only candid shots.





















Wednesday, November 12, 2008

iNTRODUCING OUR NEW GRANDDAUGHTER!

Of course, all the credit goes to Heidi and Jeff, but this, after all, is the grandparents' blog site!
Nova Grace was born on Veteran's Day, during a wind and rain storm of such proportions that schools were closed the next day. All is well with Heidi and baby!
Here, below, (right after her bath) she seems quite pleased with herself for managing to come in on the storm just 2 hours after her mother was admitted to the maternity ward. Well done, little one!


Jeff is a pro at this:
And actually, so is Carter, now being big brother to 3 girls!



A good bonding time was had by all while Heidi rested a tad - only a tad bit.

Just 15 minutes old; 7# 6 oz. and 18" long, already making our hearts swell:

She is the first dark-haired Howell baby:

Amanda is pleased, but not quite sure of the whole scene:
Tori - who probably had a hand in naming her little sister - got to cut the cord. Here is Nova, just minutes old:This is actually the very first picture taken, 2 minutes after she arrived, safe in Jeff's arms: