Leaves are falling

Fall is nearing its end, and it's been a beautiful one. The leaves have put on a stunning show, the sunsets have been "gorgeous," as Anders tells us, and the weather has been warmer than usual. We're a bit sad that football season is nearing its end. Football Saturdays are one of our favorite things, and Anders didn't miss a home game this year. "Let's go to Furman, see the beefall game, and the band and the drums, and that donkey," he says. The donkey is none other than the Furman Paladin on a white horse.... Fortunately, the band plays at home basketball games, so we've already hit up three of those, and just last night Anders got to touch the drums at halftime. Halle's enjoying the fall too and has gotten out for some nice walks at Furman near the lake. Anders always want to push her, but he's been charged with reckless driving, so we're trying to distract him. We just recently put up our Christmas tree (pics to come), and Anders loves it this year. He helped put up the ornaments and therefore is less inclined to take them all down. His recently singing has included Big Green Tractor by Jason Aldean, which we have heard no less than 100 times the past week. "Mama, play that green tractor song." He mixes that with the Itsy Bitsy Spider and Zip a dee do da. He also wants to be Mr Fix It (his favorite book is Fix-It Duck) and he requests hammers and screwdrivers to play with. And he says "thank you very much" in response to pretty much anything. Halle has been moving more and smiling plenty. Her therapies continue to roll along and we think she's just days from her first tooth.

Also, Erik had back surgery the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to relieve a herniated disc. Whoa. Thankfully he's been "James Bond-like" as he called himself, and impressed us all with his swift recovery and help around the house. He already has lots of relief from his pain and numbness prior to the surgery. Though he can't lift anything over 5 lbs, he's helping out tons around here and we're doing well.

Here are the two little sweeties.

The leaves they are a'fallin. Anders loves helping out with the raking.

"I do it," he says, not wanting our help.

Here he is with his first bag of popcorn at the Furman men's basketball game.

One more of big bro and baby sis.