Richardson Family Photos

While we were in town for Thanksgiving, my cousin Haley offered to take some family pictures for us.  She is just learning to take pictures and edit them and we were happy to give her some practice.  She has always had a good eye for photography, so  I think she will do well if she decides to do it professionally.  I loved how they turned out!

Maybe my favorite!

He saw a bird flying by!  (I think it was a great blue heron.)

Visiting the Destin Cousins

On Monday of our break, we drove to Destin to visit Amy, Isabella and Stephen, and to meet Hudson and Caleb.  Michael played with the "big" kids (Paul includes himself in that category) while I chatted with Amy and held/looked at/applied pacifiers to the twins.  It was so peaceful while they were sleeping, but I can't even imagine how difficult twins are!  Especially at night time.  Yikes. 

Isabella claimed she can always tell them apart, which is really impressive, since I had a difficult time doing so.  However, she is their big sister, so I took her word for it.  Amy later told me that the doctor asked Isabella how she did that, and she said, "By what they're wearing."  Probably not a fool-proof plan, but it's what I'm relying on with these pictures.

Paul spent the whole time playing with Bella and Stephen.  He had a blast.  He ran around like crazy.  He never once called out for me, which is pretty unusual.  In the past two weeks we have been home, he has been jumping on the bed all the time.  I don't mind too much but he is still not totally aware of the edge and does not always stay in the middle and it makes me nervous.  Apparently it was Bella who taught him this while they were playing!  I'm sure he'll learn something new from his older cousins every time.  :)  He loves playing with Isabella, but he and Stephen get along so great!  It's so fun to see!

Holding Caleb

Now holding Hudson.

Paul and Stephen

Bella and Paul

Tackle hug!  The best kind?

Me, Hudson, Michael and Caleb

We managed to get Paul in one picture with us!  I am holding him down though.

Hudson

Hudson

Journey to Florida/Playdate with FJ

One great thing (among many!) about Michael still being in school is that he gets a whole week off for Thanksgiving, which we did not get as undergrads at Florida.  He had class and then worked in the clinic on the Friday before, but Saturday morning the car was packed and we made the long trip to Pensacola.  (A drive I will not miss.) We had just turned Paul's carseat forward-facing and I made lots of little toys to keep him entertained.  I was hoping for an easy trip!  And while it wasn't bad, I don't think an 8-hour ride in the car can be easy for a family of five, including an energetic toddler and two cats.  We stopped 3-hours down the road just north of Jackson, Miss., to deliver bow ties to Michael's cousin Harper and his wife Gini.  It was a wonderful excuse for a fun visit!  Paul had so much fun playing with Eli and we got to meet Abe.  I can't even describe how hard it was to get back into the car afterward.  Not to mention Paul did not want to leave!  But within minutes, he was sound asleep, and slept for two hours, which was a blessing since he does not sleep well in the car.

Paul giving Eli a hug.

OK guys, I know what this looks like, but they are really just high-fiving!

Sweet sleep!

We made it to Pensacola at a decent time, and pretty much crashed.  Sunday, after mass, we went to Carolyn and Austin's house for a fun playdate with Felicity!  Paul and FJ get along so well.  They had a lot of fun playing together throughout the week!

Paul ALWAYS wants to play football/basketball/soccer.  He points out every ball and hoop he sees, gets upset at the store when we pass balls I won't let him play with, and shoots hoops throughout the day.

We told him to give her a hug.

This dog (in the foreground) sang Christmas songs.  Paul was equally enthralled and scared.

Actually going down the slide!  Yay!

Won't let go of that football, though.

I love this one!

She is such a cutie!  She kept demanding that I take her picture.

Farm photo shoot

On Sunday, after church at Curlee (the church my mom grew up in, we always go when we visit) but before lunch, we decided to let Paul run around outside while I played around with the camera.  We were pretty happy with the results!

Gorgeous tree

Just look at the joy on his face!

We had to bring the basketball from home.

Happy boy!

My mom grew up in such a beautiful place!

Favorite!

He loves playing baseball!  He will pick up sticks now and hold it ready for a pitch!  Sometimes, though, it is a golf club, ready to putt!

Probably playing golf now.

Laughing at Grammy.

Smiling at Grammy!

Managed to grab Dad's cup!

Paul and Grammy

Right before giving her a kiss that I didn't catch!