Tennyson - 50 weeks

Tennyson shows himself around the Capitol--

Thanksgiving

We're thankful for Thanksgiving, a delightful holiday that unites us with our family to eat good food. We spent the holiday in Chicago with the Springer family (Jeremy's oldest sister Tammie, et al). We ate, played games, ate, talked, ate, toured, and ate some more. Thanksgiving should be a bi-annual event.

Tennyson - 49 weeks

Tennyson - 48 weeks

Crazy comes in small packages.

Tennyson - 11 months

(Just one more month until the warranty expires.)

Valley Forge

We took a road trip on Saturday up to Philadelphia and Valley Forge. We had a lot of fun...


...eating at Reading Market in Philly...

...checking out the soldiers' cabins at Valley Forge...

...exploring the park on a beautiful autumn day...


...inspecting George Washington's Valley Forge headquarters...


...and just plain hanging out together.

Tennyson - 47 weeks

Tennyson loved his first Swedish meatballs and boiled potatoes from IKEA (no passport required).

Growing up Tennyson

People often ask us, upon finding out our son's name, whether we're big fans of Lord Alfred Tennyson, poetry in general, or just weird names. Here's the answer: yes. Really though, we just liked the name, and we still do. Hopefully Tennyson Jay will as well.

Having said that, Lord Tennyson did write some great poetry. Two of his poems sum up my thoughts of the last few weeks particularly well. First, his "Charge of the Light Brigade" explains my current feelings for law school. Second, and more importantly, I've been thinking a lot lately about how fast my boy is growing up. Two days ago he took his first steps. Sure, they were awkward, but, without holding on to anything, he took two steps and then remained standing. The dude's almost one year old already. He's constantly talking (in his own language). He is always so busy and excited that he's habitually pushing us away to get to the next interesting (read: dangerous) thing to play with or eat. He knows what he wants (I'm not sure who taught him that). Despite my parents still wondering if I'll ever grow up, I'm amazed at how fast my little boy is growing up. Every parent probably goes through these feelings countless times. This is my first time, though--please indulge me. So, as promised, here is the second poem by Lord Tennyson, summing up how I feel:

Cradle Song
by Lord Alfred Tennyson

What does little birdie say
In her nest at peep of day?
Let me fly, says little birdie,
Mother, let me fly away.
Birdie, rest a little longer,
Till thy little wings are stronger.
So she rests a little longer,
Then she flies away.

What does little baby say,
In her bed at peep of day?
Baby says, like little birdie,
Let me rise and fly away.
Baby, sleep a little longer,
Till thy little limbs are stronger.
If she sleeps a little longer,
Baby too shall fly away.

A few more Halloween goodies

Mom and dad went to the ward Halloween party as Robin Hood's accessories: Maid Marian and Little John.

Tennyson - 46 weeks

Tennyson dressed up as Robin Hood and went trick-or-treating for the first time yesterday. He got a bit mixed up, though, and ended up stealing candy from the rich and poor.