We Are Thankful

Our Thanksgiving holiday was bittersweet this year. While we have had so much for which to be thankful, we also experienced a great loss. After enjoying nearly 95 years of life, Mary Grace's Great-Grandfather Kenneth Lucian Thomas, or "Papa" as we all knew him, passed away on November 23rd. Papa was loved and admired by everyone who knew him. In both life and death, he made an enormously positive impact on his community, his church and his family. I can personally say that he was one of the most kind, intelligent and honest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Molly and I feel so blessed that Mary Grace was able to spend a year of her life in his presence, and we will be certain that she knows how great of a man her Great-Grandfather truly was.


A picture taken last summer of Mary Grace, Charlotte and Henry with Papa.


Mary Grace and Papa.

The last few weeks have been chock full of family time for Mary Grace, and she loved every minute of it. She got to spend a good deal of quality time with her cousins Henry and Charlotte, whom she did not get to see very often when we lived in Washington. Henry is about a month younger than Mary Grace, but already about twice as strong. The last time Mary Grace and Henry were able to see each other, neither one was mobile, so it was fun to see them chase each other around and try to steal each other's food. Mary Grace remains mesmerized by Charlotte, and would gladly follow her around all day if she could only keep up with her.

Mary Grace is showing the willingness to give walking a try. Last night, Molly and I sat across from each other and "walked" Mary Grace back and forth between us. She seemed to be having a great time, as long as we held her hands. If we let go of her hands, she would get scared and plop down on her bottom. Hopefully, she will continue to show interest, but we are certainly in no hurry to be chasing her around the house. She already gets around fast enough as it is.

As you saw from the video in the last post, Mary Grace loves music. She really enjoys beating her drum set and banging the keys on the piano. If she hears someone playing the piano in another room, she will scoot across the entire house to get a chance to play. We are hoping this excitement might foretell some sort of musical genius, but who knows...

Here are some pictures from the Thanksgiving holiday:


Her blonde hair is getting longer.


Big smile.


Posing with mommy.


Sitting in Papa's chair.


Enjoying some time in her birthday suit.


Daddy giving her a ride in the wagon.


Keeping the beat.


Perfecting her snare drum technique.


Look how she holds both drumsticks, it is amazing.


Playing the cymbal.


Scooting on the floor.


Big smile again.


Keeping warm in her pink fur (faux, of course).


Giving her baby doll a big kiss.


Playing on the couch with Cousin Henry.


Janie and all of the cousins.


"Don't steal my puffs!"


Playing with Cousin Charlotte.


Playing with Poppie and Henry.

Lastly, Mary Grace continues to love laughing; at anything and everything. Here is a video of Mommy getting some pretty impressive laughs before bedtime the other night: