Always room for two

If you hold Garrett you better make sure you have room for two because someone else will be there shortly. Grandpa got to talk to Garrett and spell words for El to write on her paper. El was a book nut before school and now with her learning to spell and read words that is all she does. Garrett is starting to talk back, he tries so hard to coo and then once in awhile something comes out and scares him, it's so cute and he is growing like a weed.

Here is Grandpa after a long 9 days of hunting, but his lap is still built for two.

Pajama Wine

Today Starla, Gayle and I went shopping again, it's our annual shopping trip that we used to do with the girls. Kristi, Lynn and Shannon would come along with us and we would have a really good time entertaining them. We would see a movie, eat lunch, shop, laugh, and just enjoy our time together.

There are a few highlights from those years that we will never forget, like the year Lynn whined about wanting a Charlotte Hornets Jacket and I wouldn't buy her one (really I did but it was a present so I couldn't tell her). Going to see "The First Wives Club" and those darn girls giggled through the whole movie because the actresses reminded them of us. Starla was Diane Keaton, Gayle was Bette Midler and I was Goldie Hawn and their story lines even matched our personalities. The lost child in the town that shut down all the restaurants so we couldn't find a place to eat. Purposely parking in the very back of the parking lot due to all the harassment about having to walk so far. Having the only spot in the truck without a package was one cup holder.

The first year without the girls was tough on all of us, it was a good thing Kristi and Lynn moved away the same year and Shannon had a baby so none of them were able to go without the others and we either had to stop the tradition or continue on without them.... well that year we filled that truck more than ever and there were only 3 of us. We sure do miss them but there is never a dull moment.

We have outgrown the movie but this year we stopped at the winery on the way home. A new tradition has started!! The winery has a new wine and it's name is "Pajama Red" with a name like that you have to know it's good. I snatched up a few bottles before closing their doors for the season.

Early Morning Black Friday

We get home late from our Thanksgiving Feast and I have to sleep fast, my alarm is set for 4AM. Yep it's early but not for shopping on black Friday, my niece Shawna is leaving at 3AM to be there in time to scope out the shelves so she can be in the right spot when the sale starts. We are crazy but it's so much fun. I don't need anything and neither does Starla, Gayle or Lynn but we're heading to the nearest town with stores for the door busting sales. Sleepers still in our eyes, gulping down the caffeine, and talking a mile a minutes with excitement. Here's the view of the check out line at Wally world. We snuck out in automotive and didn't have to wait in this unorganized mess. When we returned to the front of the store to leave we would have been in the same spot had we not found a faster route.

And a bonus picture just because it's my favorite store and their idea of organized chaos was much more my style. We started in the line at the back of the store, they were formed on each side of the store and just about joined in the back but it went way fast. This was before 6:30 AM and we're at our 2nd store.

Thanksgiving at the Shack

For the last 3 years we have had our Thanksgiving Feast at the hunting shack. It has made the holiday hustle and clean up so easy, and the fact that girls don't do dishes at the shack works out perfectly for us. The day started out with all the kids in the house for some catch up time and as we are all getting showered and dressed I say "no one is leaving here until I get a family picture" so here it is.....

hummmm they don't listen even on Thanksgiving either. Maybe we'll get one for Christmas. Seriously I am so thankful for my wonderful family that not getting a picture of them does not even bother me. Don't tell the boys that though.

We had a great Thanksgiving Supper at the shack, lots of family and food. A little 6,5,4 game helped stuff my pockets for a few extra "Me" gifts in the morning. So far our hunters haven't shot any deer but I think they need to leave the shack to see any.... right? That's the bad thing about having a nice place to stay.... they like it wayyyyyy to well.

Here's John posting....... posting, get it.....ha ha ha I crack myself up!!

Thankful

I am thankful this Thanksgiving Eve for my love of photography. It has taught me to look at things in a whole different way. I see things different than last year and totally different than how I seen them 9 years ago when I got my first SLR film camera. I notice the sunrises and sunsets, the way the dew glistens on the grass, the catch lights in someones eyes as I talk to them, the brilliant colors of nature, the fast changes in children, the frozen droplets during our first frost, the reflections in water on a clear day..... the list goes on and on. So tonight is no different, I'm painting my.... what I'm gonna call.... "my new foyer" and it's about 4:30ish and it hit me out of the corner of my eye. The sun was shining through the patio door and hitting my dried hydrangeas. The contrast from the front of the flower to the sides was unbelievable and the glow was breathtaking. I took a break from painting to snap a few pictures. This Thanksgiving slow down and notice the amazing sites we have around us everyday.

Happy Thanksgiving

I heard it, really I did.

Garrett is awake and he said "I love you Grandma" just as my student photographer Elly snapped the picture. He is so smart at only 3 weeks and El is so talented as a 5 year old photographer to capture this one of a kind moment.

Is anyone watching Dancing with the Stars Finale.... tears for Derek and Brooke's last dance... not a dry eye in this house!! She really got me with her song choice and then she kisses her daughters..... sniff, sniff, sniff.....

Gerbera Daisy

My Gerbera Daisy is still going strong which is strange because I brought him into the garage at the end of October and forgot about him until yesterday. He was out in the cold all this while. I thought for sure he would droop over in shock with the temperature change but he didn't seem to mind. I took this picture in front of the window which resulted in a very black background.