Here is a big, birthday boy smile for you!
Paul is doing a great job of learning to stand and walk; he loves to lean against things to stand and have his hands free (to make music like Micah, of course!)
As you can see from this video, Micah is one of Paul's walking targets!
Grandma Jo and Grandpa Doug came to visit last weekend and Chloe took the opportunity to kiss Paul while everyone else was cheering JMU's football team to victory and Paul was "helping" me cook.
Paul was more interested in cuddling and giggling with Grandma Jo than being a cute little frog. In the background, you can see our new "Ladybug line." My mom's dear friend, "Aunt" Lynne gave this gift to me before she passed away a few months ago. Micah and I have enjoyed displaying his artwork on the clothesline with decorative clothespins-- I highly recommend it!
Paul is showing Grandpa Doug his new favorite pasttime: pointing (usually with an inquisitive look, resulting in me becoming the human labelling machine. I am thrilled that Paul is showing interest in learning words!)
Joletta and Doug watched the boys while Anthony and I got to hang out with our friends, the Owens, Wargos, and Smethursts. The football game had a good result for Bryan (who played for UVA) but a pretty sad showing for Anthony (who daily questions his passion for PITT football.)
On Friday, we had a sailboat birthday dinner with my mom and Keith, complete with acorn squash boats, hot wax pepper boats, and Micah-made sailor hats. In his typical style, Paul devoured everything in sight, even the tipapia and squash!
We were all happy to have Grandma Bev and Granddaddy home from Alaska and even Micah loved seeing their pictures and hearing their stories. I won't be surprised if he has the "travel-bug!"
Here is the typically cute video of Paul trying to blow out the candle!
Paul seemed to turn on the charm on Friday, including his new blinking and winking tricks.
Anthony and I had fun focusing on Paul for a change this beautiful weekend, so the four of us also had a playground picnic on Saturday. It was good for Micah to learn a little more about having fun for the sake of someone else!
Micah has been sweet about singing to Paul when he is going to sleep and this is a clip of Micah singing "Beautiful One" to his not-so-baby-now brother.
I almost forgot to share with you a sweet story about Paul: He has figured out some key aspects of logic! On many days, when the sun starts setting and shining through our west-facing windows in the foyer, Paul goes and sits in the sun on the floor while looking to the door, saying "Dad? Dad?" He has learned that when the sun comes in from the west, dad comes home! What a clever sundial.
We had such a great time with Grandma Jo; you can see a glimpse of her new kitchen if you can look beyond Paul's kissable cheeks!
Micah and Paul got onto Jack's level to play with their cousin.
Paul got away, but there was still fun to be had!
I also got to have fun with my nephew, Jack!
Joletta and Doug took us to a fabulous Christmas display!
Andrea's home was all decked out for Thanksgiving -- I mean Christmas, too! Grandpa Doug is always willing to read a book or two to Micah.
In the midst of Thanksgiving fun, we also got to celebrate Mekenzie's 10th birthday.
Harold got to be with all three of his grandsons for Thanksgiving. It was a treat for us to get to spend time with him!
Paul has not been full of smiles for the last two months, because he has had some tummy trouble, but Papa was able to bring out Paul's big grins!
See what I mean?
Papa also put smiles on Micah's face when he helped him solve this 100 piece puzzle, which Micah can now solve by himself!
Micah and Charlie were so happy to see each other at Great-Grandpa Smith's house!
Jessica is having fun being the BIG cousin for a change and the little guys adore her!
Grandma Bev got some time with her grandsons, too.
Do you see what I mean about Paul's kissable cheeks? Even Great-Grandpa Smith stole a kiss.
After we got too cold, we continued to cheer on dad and everyone else in the annual Thanksgiving football game from inside. Be sure to check out your great stride, Doug!
Once we left snowland and returned home, where Peyton said they ate Thanksgiving dinner outside, the Millers and Tongens found our beautiful Christmas trees. 
Noa Noll sent Paul AWESOME presents via the Pattons who returned from a short-term mission trip to Japan.
Someday, I may not remember that Micah looked up to his mom (literally and figuratively), or that Paul was little enough to hike on my back.
Whenever I asked Charlie if he's a big brother, he asks, "Where is Joey?" and hurriedly goes to check on him.
My dad's dad made this dulcimer when he visited my parents in Colorado while waiting for my brother to be born; now Charlie enjoys playing it with his Papa. It was a treat that John had a bye week and could come see his new grandson.
I'm thankful for my brother and his family of four.
Some of the girls in my InterVarsity Bible study joined us for chili on our newly painted front porch as we handed out candy to the trick-or-treaters. These are such great girls!!
Paul's first piece of candy -- he and Micah actually successfully put candy into some of the kid's pails.
Paul, Micah and I talked about celebrating cousin Joey's arrival while we played in the leaves today.
We've had a lot of practice celebrating birthdays lately! Thanks again, Carly, for these great pictures of Nate's party.
I figure that I've probably unknowingly included an unflattering photo of someone on our blog, so I'm displaying that I 
Likewise, Micah focuses intently on making a candy necklace.
I think Micah and Molly Aldrich look alike, including their little teeth that are in mouths that are ready for big teeth (I'd bet that our two families will be able to avoid 
The irony was that Paul got icing on his face in the effort to keep his hands clean! 
At Adam's birthday party, Paul got to spend time with Camille Martin, but his question was, "Do I have to let her pull my 
If you are wondering what happens when you put a bunch of math professors' children together, here is some documentation. Paul (and the birthday boy not pictured) are breaking the mold.
Micah is getting Paul and Camille to play together by reading to them.
Micah's preschool class went on a beautiful fall hike -- can you find him?
Micah's preschool class had fun on the playground, too.
Since Micah and I love to hike and Paul seems to love being on my back, we went for a hike with Laura, Peyton, my mom, and SEVEN boys under four years old! Believe it or not, it was a great excursion!
This Saturday, we were able to go apple picking with 
