I may never eat again!

Breakfast was fun yesterday and there was certainly more than enough to eat.  We had:
Pancakes
Scrambled Eggs
Bacon
Sausage
Toast
English Muffins
Fruit Salad
Cranberry Nut Ring
Apple Cider
Orange Juice
Grapefruit Juice

I was SO full!   We went to Richard & Julie's for dinner.  I told Michael on the way over that I didn't know if I could eat a thing. I was still full from breakfast.  BUT, of course everything smelled wonderful and so I had a little turkey - a ltitle ham - had to have some mashed potatoes - then there was corn - and dinner rolls - and finally caramel apple pie for dessert.  TOO full!  But it was sooooooo good!

My father and  brother went to Richard & Julie's for dinner.  Jimmy LOVED Julie's green bean casserole.  I don't think that Jimmy gets many home-cooked meals and this one was fantastic!   He really seemed to enjoy it! 

Julie's Thanksgiving table was beautiful.  She even had butter shaped like a turkey. 

Kate was wound up and ran laps through the livingroom, dining room, kitchen and hallway.  I think she must have run a half mile.  Those little legs just kept pumping and pumping and every time she ran through the living room she was laughing.  Several times I thought she was headed for a diningroom table crash, but she managed to maneuver around it every time.  She looked adorable in her Thanksgiving shirt/dress that matched Julie's.  Richard didn't have one, but he looked good, too.  ;)

From Richard & Julie's, we went to Greg & Amy's to visit.  Greg made apple cobbler, so of COURSE we had to have some (with a little vanilla ice cream).

Greg & Amy's house is always full of family - lots of kids.  We didn't get there in time to see Amy's table, but it always looks wonderful. 

Greg invited us back for leftover dinner tonight, but I don't know if I'll eat anything today.  I'm still full from yesterday!  So much good food!  (and even better company)

The food is great, but the best part of Thanksgiving for me, is family.

One more year of memories - one more year to share in the lives of my children - one more year to be grateful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm grateful for so many things this year, but today I'm most grateful for my family - those who are here and those who are not (Chelsea).

Life has its problems and challenges, but through it all, I know that we have a faithful and loving God who has His hand on all of us.  Even when it doesn't feel like He's there - He's there. 

"He will cover you with his feathers,
 and under his wings you will find refuge;
 His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart."
 ~ Psalm 91:4 ~

Father God, please keep my family safe under your wings.  Let them feel your love and know that you are their refuge.        In Your name - Amen

Tappin' it up

Although I'm not a fan of Mexican food, I am a fan of Kate's so when Richard and Julie invited me to go to dinner with them (or have a coke if nothing looked edible to me) at El Tapatio, I was in!
Our server was Oscar - obviously a favorite and another "Kate fan". 

"Hola, Kate" (Oscar ALMOST smiled)  "What would you like?"

When Kate looked up at Oscar to order, she and Oscar were strictly business.  Julie, Richard and I were grinning. I mean, really! How cool is it to watch a 2 year old order dinner at a Mexican restaurant?

"I'd like a quesadilla and rice, please. And apple juice."   (She knows her stuff.)

Oscar fed back "por favor" and the spanish for Apple Juice (manzana jugo?) to Kate.  I thought it was great that Oscar was trying to help expand Kate's Spanish vocabulary.  He obviously thinks her Spanish is as cute as we do.  :)

Kate was "throwing down" her quesadilla and looking across the table at Richard's dinner. He smiled in expectation.

Daddy, could I have some of your enchiwada?"   (Just close enough to enchilada to make me smile, big time.)

Daddy of course complied willingly.  As a matter of fact, I think he counts on sharing.  I'm not so sure he'd think it was as cute if anyone else wanted some of his enchiwada, but Kate can have just about anything she wants.  The man is putty!

ANYWAY... I had a great time!  I even found a salad that I liked.  The company was the draw, though.  I'm in any time Kate wants to "Tap it up".

Color me tired! (but happy)

Gregory, Alex and Matthew didn't have school this week and I took a couple of vacation days, sooooooo the kids came to visit me for the day today.

They beat me at "Go Fish".  They beat me at "War".  I guess as they get older, there will be more and more ways they can beat me.  :)

Remember the commercial that said.. "Give to Mikey. He'll eat anything."?   Well, today Matthew was Mikey.  We had donuts for breakfast.  When Alex and Gregory were full, they each gave Matthew the last half of the donuts they were eating.   No one asked Matthew.  It was just assumed that Matthew would eat the donuts - and Matthew DID! 

We went to lunch at Mazzella's for pizza.  Matthew and Alex each ate a half of a pizza.  Michael and Gregory and I split the other one.  Alex was in the mood for sausage on his pizza for a change, so we got a pizza with sausage on it.  Sausage and onions are my favorite toppings, so I was more than happy to comply.

Michael and I took the kids home at about 4:30 (I think).   They wanted us to see them play Rock Band with the Beatles.  It was sooooooo cool!   When they started, Gregory played guitar, Alex played drums and Matthew played bass.  I was amazed!  They were REALLY good!   Alex was extraordinary on the drums - playing on "hard" - scoring 95% - 99%.   Gregory did a super job on the guitar, too. Matthew was terrific on the bass.  He wanted to play guitar next, but I have to say - he moves like a bass player.

Gregory and Alex quit and Greg played guitar while Matthew played drums.  It was great to be able to watch them play.  Fun!

We had a terrific day!  Or at least, I did.  I'll sleep well tonight for sure!!

Amelia

Went to see "Amelia" today.  Hillary Swank was perfect!!!  I don't think there could possibly be a better Amelia!  Richard Gere was wonderful, too! 
Amelia Earhart had always been a sentence before (or maybe two).  I really didn't know much about her life - why she flew - what she was like.  So, this movie was not just entertainment.  It was also history.  An easy way to learn.  :)

The time flew.  When the movie was over, I had to look at my watch to check the time.  I couldn't believe it was over already.

My only complaint was the ending.  I know!  I know!  But, I hoped that this time it might end differently.  Maybe they'd have enough gas.  Maybe they'd find that island.  But nooooooooooo!

If it ended differently, I'd have given it 5 Go's!  I would have!  (Please!  It's a movie!!!!)