Holiday Time

Jenny , Karl, & Spencer at Breakfast With SantaMaking cookies with Mommy
Spencer with Popo & Nana's tree
Mr. Steve playing for Breakfast with Santa and talking to Tony, Parker, & Jan
Spencer showing Popo what was in his prize bag from Santa
Spencer showing Mommy what was in his prize bag from Santa
Jenny & Spencer with cousins Donovan & Kayleigh at Breakfast with Santa
Stone family (with a very unhappy James) getting picture with Santa
Daddy & Spencer at Breakfast with Santa
Spencer telling Mr. & Mrs. Claus what a good boy he has been and all that he wants for Christmas

From baking Christmas cookies to Breakfast with Santa - it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Powered Up Again

This is a picture of a long ago ice storm - 1979. Anyone who has seen my concrete backyard might be surprised to know that this was once my backyard. I was happy to lose the 'gazing' ball and birdbath but I was sad to lose the river birch tree the next summer to some insect that killed a number of those trees in St. Louis that year. I didn't take any pictures of this ice storm - I was just too cold. We finally got our power back on last night and Jenny now has the house up to about 80* - just kidding. We owe Nancy & Paul a big thank you for letting Steve & I sleep at their nice warm house and Millie kept Jen, Karl, Spencer, & Oscar. It was an 'interesting' weekend but not one we would like to repeat if possible. The Reijgers power came back today but they are still stuck here until the contractors get done - they are hoping to be back home by next week.
November kinda snuck by and December is already going quickly. Happy Belated Birthday to nephew Todd and sister-in-law Denise - and wishing Sandi (sister-in-law) and Sherri (niece) a Happy Birthday coming up this month. Hope everyone is warm and in the holiday spirit!

Thanksgiving Memories

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. As a child I remember we had dinner at Aunt Maude & Uncle Willard's house (Kendall's) with their son Bill, Uncle Carl, and usually Aunt Mazie. I think Mom did Christmas dinner. Of course, I was just a kid so who knows if I remember any of this right. I do remember the men eating first and dishes washed for the women - I guess paper plates were out of the question or maybe they didn't even exist?? I think the kids were fed somewhere in between there. After the Kendalls moved to Florida/Piedmont, we either had Thanksgiving at Mama & Dad's or maybe Nancy was doing it by then? Sometime after I was married and settled down I took Thanksgiving off Nancy's hands and she did Christmas. I've been doing Thanksgiving for about 30 years now - except this year, Jessie & Stevie are giving us a break. (Thank you guys) This is a good year for a break but I'm looking forward to having it at my house again next year - I guess I'm just not ready to give it up yet.
In the 30 or so years I've hosted Thanksgiving we have sometimes had as many as 45-50 people but that has become a little overwhelming - age does have it's drawbacks. I realize I haven't taken many 'Thanksgiving' pictures - but here are a few to rekindle some of those memories. Anybody have any special Thanksgiving memories?? I'm very thankful for all of you family & friends and I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!!

Spencer Time

I haven't had a lot of time to blog lately - but that's ok because I really don't have much to say lately. Stevie & Jessie had a nightmare honeymoon but they say she is doing much bettter now. This picture is Spencer in his Halloween outfit - he's "Old McDonald" - we figure he will either be a Zoologist or a vet - he really loves his animals! Halloween night Spencer, Jenny, Karl, & Oscar all moved in with us while they have work done on their kitchen & bathroom. It's been fun and takes me back to my 'motherhood' days. Spencer has been very good at mealtime and goes to bed easily and since we are in a different part of the house we never hear him during the night. He has also learned how to turn all our doorknobs so he likes to open & shut doors, hide in the closets and has even visited me once when I was in the shower - I learned to lock the door. The best part of them being here is I have the perfect excuse not to clean - I have to play with Spencer. I know they look forward to going home to their 'new' kitchen & bath but it will be awful quiet around here when they go. 

The Wedding

I'm sure these pictures look familiar to some of you - yes, I stole them from Jenny's blog - thanks Jenny. The wedding was very nice - Eric did a great job. Jessie was a beautiful bride and Stevie was her handsome prince. For more pictures check out Jenny's blog and I'm sure Becky will have some up later this week. I opted not to take my camera for the event so I could just relax and enjoy the evening - but I'd love copies of any pictures anyone has - please!!!!
Stevie & Jessie are on their way to some island resort in Mexico for some much needed down time together - love you kids - we'll take good care of Charlee while you're gone.

Rehearsal

Jessie & Stevie getting their 'instructions' from Eric

Nate - just enjoying the evening.

Stevie - with David, Greg, & Mark

Stevie & his groomsmen - David, Mark, Sam, Ben, & Bo - Greg must be hiding somewhere.

Eric convering with Tom & Beth - parents of Jessie

Stevie & his best man David

Jennie, Karl, and Spencer

Spencer just hanging out until his turn to walk down the aisle.

Jessie's bridesmaids - Cat, Becky, Jenny, Sarah and her two sisters - Claire & Carrie

Spencer & Aunt Becky

I think the rehearsal went well - we have yet to see if Spencer will really walk down the aisle by himself as ringbearer - but that's ok if he doesn't. Del Pietro's was very accomadating and the food was pretty good for the most part. Tonight is the wedding. The boys are out playing golf and I'm sure the bride and her mother are busy with last minute details. Except for going to get my hair done this afternoon I've got free time - I even have time to do my treadmill and blog - being mother of the groom seems almost too easy.

Becky & Nate's Anniversary

October 26, 2002 - hard to believe that it was a whole 4 years ago that these 2 'middle children' were married. Although they still don't look much older than this picture they have grown up a lot in these 4 years. They have dealt with all the things newly weds deal with - getting to know each other better, being considerate of each others families, finances - and as an added stress they moved twice and had to deal with a very sick cat - but they always come up with a smile because they always depend on God to get them through. I love you Becky & Nate and hope you have a very Happy 4th Anniversary!!

Out Of Order Blogs

Check out "More Halloween Fun" below "Spencer Weekend" - I managed to mess up the order of things.

Spencer Weekend

Jen & Karl went to a wedding reception in Kansas City this weekend and Spencer and Oscar got to spend the weekend with Nana & Popo. We started out at Spencer's favorite restaurant on Friday night - Lion's Choice. Saturday we took a walk down to the bike trail and watched the horses for awhile and later that afternoon we went to Grant's Farm - which is where Popo bought Spencer his new 'guys' - a horse, zebra, and a lemur which Spencer and I call a racoon. I promise he never went hungry but as you can tell - I think the powder doughnuts where his favorite even over Lion's Choice.
I just need to teach him that what goes on at Nana & Popo's house, stays at Nana & Popo's house - just kidding Jenny - kinda.

More Halloween Fun

The first photo is Terri, Sherri, & Edward.
The two people you will know from the 2nd photo is Stevie & David.
The clown is Becky -
I'm sure you can figure out this one
and who is that lady? This is not really a Halloween pic - but it could be!!
Then we have 1 yr. old Spencer
8 month old Spencer
Jenny is my bum
My pirate, clown & angel are easy
Care Bear & He-man is Becky & Stevie.
Jenny is Raggedy Ann
Superman & SonHalloween was always fun with the kids. It's kinda sad now because we will probably only have about 6 kids come trick or treating. Jenny was only 2 when we moved to this house and Trick or Treating is how we meet most of our neighbors.
I remember Halloween when I was a kid - we went out for hours and came back loaded with junk. Sometimes we would come home and unload and go out again - even though it always seemed to rain that night. I was never very imaginative with my costumes - I was usually some sort of hobo. But I did make sure I had a good joke to tell! Let me know if you hear any good ones this year!