Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!

Our Three Little Turkeys
Evan (who woke up with a super-soggy set of pjs), Sophia, Cameron

Well, it's the time of year where you look at all you are blessed with and give thanks. We certainly have much to be thankful for, and it only gets better. I gotta tell ya, people who don't know me or my kids may look at our lives and shiver with gratitude that it's not their life. If they only knew how incredibly and truly HAPPY we are! Those little faces get me every time-how about you?

My little Sophia Sour Puss

Mommy got a quick picture before she had to change my pjs. It pays to be the early riser!

Sophia gets a ride from Daddy

We live for the weekends...well, I guess we always have, but it's different now. I used to look forward to dining out and sleeping in, and now I look forward to chasing three toddlers around the yard until I pass out. Good times!

Cameron's turn!

We were getting ready for baths one night when Daddy caught Evan in this "compromising" position . They're at the age where they do the funniest things! I only wish they could tell me why!

Sophia giving Bella a smooch!

Oh, we are in so much trouble with Evan! He is fearless-if there's a dangerous but fun situation around-he'll find it. I'm also convinced he's a little genius...he doesn't say too much, but understands everything. We have these puzzles, and he'll take them apart and is able to put them all back together. Like, if you give him the duck, he knows exactly where it goes, and if you ask him "What goes here?" he'll find the right piece. He also loves to look at books and have you name things he points to.

Yes, Evan's our official troublemaker. But Sophia, on the other hand, will sit back and watch him get in trouble. Five minutes later, when no one's looking, she'll give it a try.

Peek-a-boo!

They're starting to play together, I mean really play together. I have noticed that Sophia and Evan seem to gravitate toward one another, and Cameron is usually off in his own world, but if he notices they're doing something really fun, he jumps in.

Cameron does his own thing.

We had a great Thanksgiving with Grammy and "Poppo" Denier. The babies weren't too keen on eating the feast-I think the excitement of the day was too much for them. They did, however, mow down a whole glob of Uncle Scott's mashed potatoes and Grammy's apple pie. A very balanced meal overall!

Evan and Uncle Scott

Grammy shows the boys how to have a good time.

Poppo is so much fun!

Sophia likes to hang out with me in the kitchen while I fix dinner. Apparently I am not enough to entertain her so she has started to look elsewhere. This is her new favorite game.

Wanna play Mommy?

Evan gives Daddy some snuggles

Evan

Sophia

Sophia and Grampy Mark

Cameron

Sophia and her "dolly"

Grammy got us this cool sled, and it was just in time...

for a freak Halloween snowstorm!

We hadn't gotten the kids snow gear yet, but wanted to take them out to play, so we improvised! Mommy and Daddy's socks over ziplock baggies-I think I might patent it!

But look how cute they looked!

I Could Not Ask for More...

Recently a fellow mother of triplets, whose daughter just happens to be one of my students, lost her dear husband after his battle with brain cancer. Needless to say this hit a little too close to home. The girls are young, six years old, and they also have a teenage son. It wasn't the fact that she was now alone in raising these children that left me so heartbroken...to be honest as a mother I know she will prevail and continue to raise them in the love and faith that God has bestowed her with. It was the fact that these children would be deprived of the immeasurable and undying love that a father like he could provide. I should know. Dave is one of those fathers. I watch him with the babies, so patient and warm, so doting and attentive. The way he gently wipes away their tears, soothes them when they fuss, joins in their giggles as he throws him in the air or chases them around the house. Things his father did with him, the love he received, he now passes on to our children. The legacy of a father is a deep one. It is a tradition that reaches across cultural and generational boundaries. I know these girls will not forget their father. Between their cherished memories and their mother's stories, they will never doubt the love that he felt for them. Nor will I forget to be grateful for the blessing of a husband and father as amazing as Dave.

Our Wedding Song was Edwin McCain's I Could Not Ask for More. It hardly ever comes on the radio, but the other day it did and I had a sentimental (albeit cheesy) realization that these lyrics, which at one time applied to the love that Dave and I shared for each other, now apply to the love our family shares.

I could not ask for more than this time together
I could not ask for more than this time with you
Every prayer has been answered
Every dream I have's come true
And right here in this moment is right where I'm meant to be
Here with you here with me.

These are the moments I thank God that I'm alive
These are the moments I'll remember all my life
I've got all I've waited for
And I could not ask for more

Happy Fall Ya'll!

Hanging out on the hayride at Paul and Sandy's Pumpkintown

For those of you who don't know...fall is my absolute FAVORITE time of year! So I guess it comes as no surprise that I have dragged the babies (and poor Dave) to every fall outing you can think of: the apple orchard, pumpkin patch, hayride, you name it. What fun! Now I happen to think I've come a long way from the "live and die by the schedule" mommy I was when the babies were younger, but it's still a struggle for me to break out of routine. I love taking them places, but between naps, snacks, meals, and cranky time...some go better than others.
Here's some great pictures of the fun we've been having:

Cameron and daddy pick out a pumpkin

Sophia takes her time deciding...it has to be perfect, just like her!

Evan could have cared less about the pumpkins...he was perfectly happy sitting and watching the cars drive by. He's a transportation junkie!

Riding the tractor!

Sure, parenthood is a blast, but sometimes I feel so, I don't know-confined!

Quick, take the picture before they run away! .

They loved this big blow up pumpkin, but there was no way in hell I was letting them go in...I mean, they have a hard enough time walking on solid ground without getting major head injuries. Maybe next year-if I can cover them in enough bubble wrap.

We made our annual trek to Buell's Orchard in Eastford for their fall festival. The 85 degree heat kind of sucked the fun out of the fall feeling, but the babies didn't seem to mind. They got their first taste of apple, and it was love at first bite! On the other hand, about five million bees decided to join the festival as well, and given that Dave had a severe allergic reaction as a kid, we cut out a little early.

Daddy, give me back my apple!

Daddy and Evan

Mommy and Cameron

Yummmo...we love apples!

I made baked ziti one night...it was a hit, as you can see!
Sophia

Cameron

Evan

Remember the movie "Parenthood"? Remember the little blond kid who ran around with a bucket on his head? That's my Cameron!

Peek-a-boo!

Sophia and Evan definitely seem to have a bond...maybe it's because their cribs are next to each other, or because they both have devilish personalities, but either way I'm in trouble!

Sophia strikes a pose in Mommy's sunglasses!

I would give anything to get inside their heads...Sophia does this thing where she gathers everyone's milk and lines the cups up in the doorway. Why? Who knows!

How adorable am I?!

My graduate courses are killer...it's been a while since I've been on the other side of the chalkboard, so to speak. I got so desperate I asked Sophia for help. Her face says it all.

Seriously mommy, with the camera again!?!
Cameron

Evan says, "I don't mind posing mommy!"

Sophia, of course, is never one to shy away from the spotlight!

We visited Great-Great and Poppy again...we are so sad that they are leaving for Florida soon-we may sneak in their suitcase!

Evan and Poppy

Poppy's little princess

Grammy Denier is officially addicted to Craigslist...but the upside is all the cool stuff she finds, like this awesome climber! Should come in handy this winter!

Another of Grammy's Craigslist finds...a picnic table built for three. How perfect!

Grampy Denier got us cupcakes as a special treat...you can always tell how much they love a food by how much soap we go through in the bath that night.
Evan

Sophia

Cameron