The Holidays are upon us...

True to form, here I am with the monthly update. I also have lots of fun photos to share!

First up, I was in Washington, D.C. earlier this month for the national journalism convention. While I was gone, Steve still had grad school, so Auntie Susie and Nicky came over to babysit Jack. They had a great time. Those two little guys are becoming such good friends. Jack asks for Nicky all the time, and whenever we see a little boy out, Jack calls him Nicky.

Here are the photos from their night of fun. Auntie Susie took them.





We hosted Thanksgiving again this year. I think this is was our seventh Thanksgiving. Wow, does time fly! We had 19 for dinner and about 25 for dessert. Our house was alive with gratefulness! Here are the photos.

Jack helping Nana get the candy ready


Master Chef Steve grilling the turkey (he had another one in the oven; over 40lbs of turkey this Thanksgiving in addition to a ham and a beef tenderloin!)


Uncle Eric entertaining James and Jack


Isabella putting the boys in their place


All of the Watts women in one place!


The Reilley Women (sans Aunt Gina, we missed you!)


This year, we decided to go chop down the Christmas tree on Black Friday. Luckily, we got the house cleaned up on Thursday night, so we were able to meet everyone in time. We also brought along Nana, Papa Pete, Aunt Shayna, and Shane to help us. All of the usual suspects were there too: Auntie Susie, Uncle Pete, Nicky, Grandma Sue, Pepere, Aunt Connie, Auntie Bubbles, Uncle Mike, Grandma Nan, Papa (Nick), Paul, Brent, and Dawna. We had quite a large group! We had a lot of fun though.

Shane and Jack helping Steve cut down the tree


Shane finishing the job


Jack wanted to use the saw too


The crew and their product


This picture doesn't do justice to the fun these two had running through the aisles of trees. I wish you could hear them laughing!


Scouting out airplanes




Grandma Sue and Pepere came home with us to pick up Thanksgiving leftovers, so we put them to work helping us put up the tree.




Well, you've made it to the end of another blog post. Here's your reward: Our official family portraits. We went on Saturday and had the professionals take the pictures. Enjoy!