We continued our road trip before Thanksgiving from Jacksonville to Mississippi. We have some friends that live in the state and offered us some breaks so we didn't have to make the torturous 15 hour drive in one day. We spent the night in Hattiesburg where Dee Dee and Franz just moved this fall. Then the next day we headed to Little Rock, stopping to have lunch with Rachel and Benji before leaving the great MS. Then, FINALLY, onto Little Rock for a couple weeks before heading to Boulder,CO.

A little cozy time with Dee Dee. The bug eye look is only because we kept flashing the camera in his face when he is trying to hang out with Dee Dee.

Checking out Franz and wondering when he can play video games with the big kids.

Thanking Rachel for his books that Benji and her gave him. 2 classics: Where the Wild Things Are and The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Like Rachel said, it looks like they are scheming something.

Weekend in Florida

After getting to stay with Grandma and then seeing family in North Carolina it was time to start the road trip to Little Rock to see my family for Thanksgiving. First we stopped to see Brian's Aunt, Uncle and cousins.

We thought it would be a great idea to have a break in Savannah, GA. While Riley looks really happy here, he screamed for the last 2 hours of the road trip to Jacksonville. Oh joy!

Brian's cousin, Ricky, and his wife Audrey getting some practice with Riley. They are expecting their first little boy in the spring.

Brian and Riley's titanic moment

They even got some dolphins to ride by them for a complete Titanic experience.

Thanks Aunt Eileen for a great time in Florida (despite the tick fiasco) :)

Meeting the Great-Grandparents

After getting to hang out at grandma's house for awhile we took Riley on a major road trip from Raleigh to the east side of NC, to TN, then to Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas and finally to Colorado. Our first stop was to meet the Great-Grandparents in Hendersonville, NC and Kingston, TN. We were a little worried with him hating the car seat and all, but turns out highway time is WAY different than city driving. Put that kid right to sleep. So here are some pics on the beginnings of our road trip.

Dancing with Great-Grandpa Stepp

Striking a pose with Great-Grandma Stepp

Trying to get Great-Grandpa Hoots to keeps his eyes open

and finally with Great-Grandma Hoots

We had a great time even though it was a really fast trip and glad that Riley got to meet everyone including seeing some Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.

Halloween Costume

Riley's first Halloween and I decided to do something original and sew a Grim Reaper costume for him. Something I thought would be easy turned out to be tedious and late nights for me (and Grandma). Of course I decided to try it 3 days before, you know me, last minute or nothing at all. Babies are always cutesie on Halloween, so why not make him dark and scary. Turns out a baby as the Grim Reaper is still cute and hilarious.

Holding his scythe like a big boy Grim Reaper

Contemplating who his next victim will be

Costume malfunction

Shaelyn the witch and Riley the reaper

Nice family photo with the Grim Reaper

Back in the States

Riley and I have made it back home and are staying with Brian's parents until he comes back at the end of this month. Riley did amazing on the trip home. All my worry for nothing. We even got delayed and it ended up being 22 hours of travel time and he was a trooper. I didn't get to sleep, but hey, a well-behaved baby is worth it! He even seems to have adjusted to the time difference without any problems. I like to think he gets that from me. I usually don't get jet lag, thankfully. Grandma did convince me to take Riley with his cousin, Shaelyn, to get some pictures taken. 2 months old and this kid already got some professional pictures, unbelievable. Shaelyn did great, Riley put up with it for about 20 minutes and that was that. Here are the proofs, and the last picture sums up the end of the photo shoot. Apparently I am the only one who loves that pic.

Nice close up with the best baby hat

Great picture of our niece, Shaelyn

Shaelyn and Riley
A little tongue and a bent ear

Preppy is cute on little babies

Little newsboy all upset, and mom's favorite picture

Go Hogs!

In honor of Aunt Laura's birthday and Razorback football this weekend, Riley makes his debut in his very own Razorback outfit courtesy of Ryan! Hope you guys have a great time.

Riley Smiling

Here is a video with Riley learning to smile and kinda laugh at 6 weeks old. It is a little long because my editing program was not working, and please excuse the baby talk from me. I wanted to dub music over my voice, but again the software was not cooperating.