The Platts Family Blog

We received an invitation to Danielle’s first birthday party, located in Southern Virginia. I said, hey, lets do it. Marie wondered if I was out of my mind suggesting that we get up at the crack of dawn (f not before) to race through Washington DC traffic for a 2pm children’s birthday party. Of course she was happy at the chance to see her long time friends Kirsten and Rob too.

It turned out to be a great success. We arrived just in time, enjoyed the great southern weather and Nora was glad for the playtime to stretch out her legs after the trip. She’s a great traveler. Hopefully baby #2 is as compliant.

EDIT: Oh yeah, it is worth mentioning that Nora found this hot weather to be the perfect excuse to sit down in a bucket of ice water.  The ensuing nude baby pictures have been omitted, sorry.

As part of our marathon sprint around this part of the country, we headed back north to Washington, DC on Sunday morning to visit Kimberly, who got a job and is getting settled in the city. The weather held up for us to take a stroll around the National Mall & then we headed out and had a nice lunch in the city before strapping Nora back into the car seat (not without a fight) for the trip back home.

We had a nice Easter Sunday together this year. We celebrated Easter Sunday in the Morning at the Church we have been attending since the New Year. Mum joined us on Easter. We really like the experience we have had in the past months as we discovered a vibrant alternative worship service and a community of young adults that have really made us feel like we belong there. (but I digress . . . )We spent the rest of the day all together at mum’s house playing games, relaxing, and eating the enormous ham that was the requested dish of the birthday girl (Deborah.)

Nora’s first birthday party was a resounding success!  What a lovely time we all had surrouded by little duckies & frogs in her “just ducky theme”  We were so pleased about everyone who was able to come and help us celebrate Nora’s first birthday!  Nora had a grand old time, as usual loved being the center of attention, and apparently has a tast for cake, as she picked up the entire slice and shoved it in her mouth!  She looked like such a big girl with her Nomination bracelet on, and her pretty pink dress.  Here are some pictures!

This one is late it coming, but better late than never.  We had Thanksgiving at out house with both our families and the Gorsts.  Unfortunately my dad had to work, so he couldn’t make it up.  We cooked a really yummy meal with only the minor of problems.  Somehow, everyone managed to fit around the table.  Nora of course, thouroghly enjoyed herself. She tried turkey and had some sweet potato.  She had lots of fun playing with the big kids.

The next day, we opted out of Black Friday shopping and decided to decorate for Christmas.  We got our tree and put up our decoration.  We also had a nice visit with Aunt Linda, Uncle Bill, Melissa, Eric, and Brian.

Kimberly is home at last from her time in Bolivia.  She is staying at my parents until she has reentry training in January.  Nora was excited to see her Aunt Kim again.  Here’s our pictures from the holiday.

Nora has definitely started to exert her independence these last few weeks. She likes to brush her hair and her “teeth.” I put teeth in quotations because she still doesn’t have any. She loves eating and like her parents, there’s not much she doesn’t like. She insists on feeding herself. Here was breakfast this morning. Needless to say, she needed a bath afterward. I’ve also included a bonus picture of Nora this morning in front of the tree.

Typical kids! Marie bought Nora a new toy today, and as soon as she put it together, Nora hopped on and zipped away walking with the baby stroller. She would NOT, however, repeat the performance with the camera running. Despite that, this video was too cute not to post.

Dad on the Train to Köln

Originally uploaded by mrplatts

We got this picture of Dad from his days in Germany from his friends Howard & Debbie with the following story.

We have been looking through all our photos, and I will follow this email with what we think is a lovely picture of Mick. It was when we were all in Germany, as part of our university course, in the autumn of 1979. We had met up for the weekend at Karlsruhe, and after a great weekend together, on our way back to the train station we decided to spend the last of our money. Common sense would have dictated some sandwiches; however as you might have guessed in those reckless days, the special offer on a bottle of Baileys Irish Cream seemed much more appealing! Dave Benson having had his share by the time he got off in Mannheim, left Mick and I to finish the rest of the bottle capful by capful. I got off in Frankfurt, and so Mick must have then accompanied the bottle onwards to Koln!

Lots of love, Howard and Debbie XXXX

Fall Fun

Originally uploaded by mrplatts

Look at this kid, she tries to eat everything within reach. Thursday was a beautiful fall evening, crisp, and perfect for raking up the leaves. Marie and Nora came out to play in my hard work! Front yard done, now to move on to the back. *groan*