Jacob's First Thanksgiving, First Steps, and First Christmas Tree

We spent Thanksgiving at home this year and it marked the first time my parents, brother, and I had all been in Franklin for Thanksgiving. Although I've had many wonderful Thanksgivings over the years traveling to visit family, it was really nice to celebrate at home. Jimmy's dad flew in from Raliegh to spent the holiday with us which was great. Unfortunately, my camera battery died and I misplaced my camera battery charger so there are very few pictures of Thanksgiving and not a single one of GrandDad Porter. (Yes, you would think that surely my parents, Jimmy's dad, or my brother would have a working camera but you'd be wrong.....)

Having fun with Nana's fluorescent bendy straw

Jacob playing with David and I's little horse

In other news, our little guy is taking several steps on his own! It really is the cutest thing because he is so proud of himself. Of course, we give him loads of encouragement and praise and he loves every minute of it. We know it won't be long before he is walking everywhere.

Jacob is babbling Da-da but he is using it indiscriminately. He's not saying Ma-ma (sniffle, sniffle) unless he is really upset. It is every mother's dream; Jacob says Da-da when he's happy and Ma-ma when he's mad. Lovely....

As you would expect, Jacob loves our Christmas tree and lighted garland. I've had to move all of the ornaments out of his reach but he actually has been really good around the tree. Here's a picture of Jacob and I when we picked out our tree. He definitely did not understand why Jimmy and I were so excited about this occassion.

This past weekend we had a Christmas Progressive Dinner with five other couples from our neighborhood. We had such a wonderful time and it was a great way to usher in the Christmas season!

David, Jeff, Ken, Rory, Jimmy, JoeMary, Brooke, Shelly, Lanesia, Misty, Kristin