Happy Turkey Day 2014

We had our Thanksgiving early this year as Rob had to be at work at 4:30pm.  Who ever thought that opening stores on Thanksgiving Day was a good thing needs to have their head examined.  I am grateful that we did get to spend at least some of the day together as a family. 

Kristen had the 3 Grands dressed out in Turkey shirts and hats and all three were such fun.

A couple of years ago, Papa got the kids their own tree to decorate in hopes that we could take down the fence we erect around out tree.  He and I have been collecting hand blown and painted "vintage" Santas for year along with quite a few glass ornaments which seem to attract little hands.  Despite the fact the Grands do love having their own tree, they are still drawn to ours so the fence remains.  Traditionally, they decorate their tree on Thanksgiving Day while the last of the food preparations are being completed. 

                                                              The finished product.

This year, the Grands attention was also drawn to our Christmas Island Village so Nana bought them the start of their own at the Dollar Store!

Kristen and Rob in a rare together photo...I think they were texting each other! lol

 

Leighton and her buddy, Goof the Cat

And Rob and Landon doing some uncle, nephew bonding over tiny Lego pieces.

I am feeling blessed this holiday to be surrounded by my wonderous husband, great children, loving son in law and my 3 so loved Grands.  Hope your holiday was wonderful as well.

Happy Thanksgiving Week

Been a couple of weeks since I posted last, as I was gently reminded by my sister, Janet.  And it has been a busy two weeks filled with grandson visits, sick Leighton visits, teacher workshop grand kid visits and doctor appointments (tis the season). 

Had a great time with the Women Who Do Lunch at the beach retreat organized by our beloved Cynthia and we're working on our Christmas Lunch .  We'll be missing our youngest member, Diane, whom we fondly call Baby D (there are 3 Dianes' in our group).  She is moving to Pennsylvania and we wish her only the best and a safe journey.

I've been busy creating for the two DTs I am on: Art Anthology and Gecko Galz (for links and fun stuff related, check out my altered blog).  And my friends, Janet Miller and Lisa Lowe, have a wonderful new company making the most amazing banners that is keeping them out of the pool halls, so to speak. lol.  You can find them on facebook.

This past weekend was Colvin's turn for a sleep over with Nana and Papa.  We picked him up around ten am Sat. and headed to Dunedin.  He was the only Grand who had not had lunch at Old Bay Cafe on the water.  We shopped a bit first and he helped me pick out a new Mr. Moose for the guest bed room holiday decorations.  Mr. Moose spent the night with Colvin and stood guard over him.  The mushroom and cheese bisque at Old Bay Cafe was its usual hit and we 3 shared a wonderful pulled pork sandwich. 

A nap was called for when we got home and we played Chutes and Ladders while Papa fixed us supper.  After supper we watched  part of The Muppet's Christmas Carol and read 3 books.  The favorite seems to be The Crocodile Who Ate Christmas.

I was awakened at about 5:15 with a little boy at my bedside, hugging me, kissing me on the cheek and telling me he loved me.  He climbed up into our bed and slept for another half hour before wanting to cook breakfast with Papa.

After breakfast and a bike ride up to the park nearby, Papa built a fire in the fire pit with Colvin's help.  He is a good stick gatherer.  I added some color cones for fun and, before we made S'mores, we enjoyed the pretty fire.  Colvin got the same fire safety lecture from Papa and Nana that his brother got.

Several people have asked where we get these color cones...Plow and Hearth.  Just google it and the online site comes up.  We've ordered several pieces for our garden from the company and they are great!

No trip to see Nana and Papa is complete without a visit to Spring Bayou.  This time of year, there are dozens of manatee in the Bayou so we walked and watched for a bit.  And then we visited our Mermaid with our flower offering.  Her arms were already filled with flowers so we placed ours in the shell bowel at her feet.

I'll post the rest of this visit's pictures when I get them off my (new) phone.   Meanwhile, happy Thanksgiving to all.

Starting to look a lot like Christmas

Our family tradition has been to turn on all the lights, inside and out, trees and lanai on Thanksgiving evening, we start very early in Nov. to get ready.  The outside lanai lights are up, the swag over the slider to the lanai and the one in our bedroom are done as is our little Christmas Island village.   Here is what we have so far...

I am surprised we have managed to get this much done.  It has been a pretty hectic time for us lately.  We've had one or all 3 of the Grands several times due to teacher work days etc; Leighton had her 3rd. birthday (pics to follow eventually) and we had to make a very hard decision about our beloved cat, Just Jack.  His quality of life had diminished with very little hope so we did the tough but we felt right thing.  His brother, Goofy, looks for him every day and we miss him. 

Our trees come next along with my every growing collection of snow people.  We follow an old German tradition and everyone has their own tree.  We have a large family tree in the great room, E has his "Charley Brown" tree on the lanai, and I have my neon retro tree in my workroom.  Two years ago the Grands got their own tree and it sits on the lanai as well.  The guest room has a small tree too.

I'll post pics soon.  Hope you are getting that holiday spirit.