Our Thanksgiving, the Story......

 WE started out the morning writing down on our poster (created in 2010) what we were Thankful for.  I love pulling this out every year and looking at years past.  Their little handwriting, the sometimes silly little things they loved (thomas the train for one).  Usually, they were always Thankful for Mom and Dad, family, snow and the season. 

 WE made the 2 hour ride down to the P5's house.  SO thankful they decided to host all of us (really the best location for everyone to come). 

 HOw many guys does it take to peel potatoes.  Who knew they could be cooked in a crock pot!

 It was a beautiful day in the 60's...meaning kids could be outside MOST of the day.  They took full advantage. 

 I LOVE this.

 and This....smiles :)

 Kids watching xmas movies (elf for starters)

 The app spread!

 Siblings.....what a great day to all together.

Mom and kids.....

 BOys will be boys.....They will always remember fun times with their cousins.

 Two turkeys...one baked, one fried. 

 She loves her great grandma.....

 gathering.

 ALl of her 12 (and 13th on the way!) great grandchildren were there.  What an amazing blessing.

 Kudos to our hostess!

 I love these people.

 last one at the "kids table"

 an amazing peanut butter cake.

 Whole families together rocks.

 9 grandkids.

 The highlight of the day for me was when we paused to all say what we were thankful for.  S o much this year.

 Amazing Day, Amazing hostess, Amazing life. 

 Love this family.

23 March

 The weekend lens..... The big eigth Birthday party

 WE had two friends from class and cousins come and that was just right for him. 

 Love this girl.

 Seeing him smiling and laughing and having fun (even when he's pushing the limits a little bit)  it's what I live for

So happy that the Grandma's could come.  I'm sure this girl will never ever forget, like ever for her whole life doll playing with Great-Grandma.  B asked to go to great grandmas house the very next day in fact.  Love.  Saturday night we had a fun sleepover with K and the cousins.  I love that the cousins are really the best of friends and they never want their visits to be over.  We shared dinner, wine, fun  new favorite TV shows and a lot of laughs.  We made a tentative plan to open a bed and breakfast in Nicaragua (K, as long as you  got the kids schooling, think free range).   Sunday, we had a much needed day at home, making time and space to breathe, stay in PJ's all day, finish up a few projects and get a head start on the week.  Exactly what we needed. 

14 February

This Moment.....

11 February

The better late than Never Weekend Lens....

We took a long overdue road trip to Gammie and Grampa's house.  Grampa built a big sledding hill out back complete with iced down jump.  The kids were out there for hours...all weekend.... and there were only a few injuries.  We drank hot chocolate, we sat by the warm fire (filled up with wood from the CAGE!) and watched the Olympics ALL weekend.    Ok, so about the CAGE......we used to have to fill it up in the garage when we were kids with wood from the wood shed.  It was called "bringing in wood"  If we were sort of good that day we got to use the wheelbarrow.....if we were "bad" we had to use sleds, or our arms, in the dark and freezing cold....oh those were some of the best memories weren't they? (take note kids...no trip to Disney World Required for happy family "togetherness" memories)...Wow that was a ramble.   Back to the weekend.....The kids had a total blast with their cousins, inside and out, snowshoeing, and playing with dogs...lots of dogs.   We played music and cooked yummy meals, laughed and played Skip-Bo.  Such an awesome winter family weekend.

23 January....Remembering.

Shirley T. Prager

January 23,1924-January 12,2007

You will always be in our hearts.

A copy of this poem (old and yellowed) was found on Nanny's bulletin board, this is how she would want to be remembered for it was the giving to others that gave her the most joy.

To Remember Me--A Poem by Robert N. Test

by Robert N. Test, American Poet

Give my sight to the man who has never seen a sunrise, a baby's face, or love in the eyes of a woman.

Give my heart to a person whose own heart has caused nothing but endless days of pain.

Give my blood to the teenager who was pulled from the wreckage of his car, so that he might live to see his grandchildren play.

Give my kidneys to one who depends on a machine to exist from week to week.

Take my bones, every muscle, every fiber and nerve in my body and find a way to make a crippled child walk.

If you must bury something, let it be my faults, my weaknesses, and all prejudice against my fellow man.

Give my sins to the devil.

Give my soul to God.

If, by chance, you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.

things about her that I'll never forget.....

The way she loved her family so much with all her heart and soul, and how she cherished every minute of them

The way she never threw anything away---she saved every plastic cool whip container and every plastic bag

The way she gave of herself, even when it was hard or she was tired.

How she was so involved in her community, church and neighborhood, she had too many friends to count.

The way she always remembered everyone's special days.

Her home cooking, her card playing, her conversation

The way she always sat on the end of the table so she could get up if anyone "needed anything"

HOw she always told everyone how much she loved them and how special they were to her.

How she spent time with me when I was a little girl, teaching me to sew and cook and do girl things (I wish you were here to teach me more things now...)

The way she loved music and played the piano.

The way she hugged and never wanted to let go.

The lunches she packed "for the road"

I miss you Nanny....your life touched mine in so many ways, ways that I am still realizing to this day.

We rejoice you and your long, beautiful and meaningful life
:)

23 October

Wednesday via Instagram

We have a new obsession in the house, the rainbow loom rubber band bracelets. Thank you Gammie!!!

30 July

Another one of my favorites form the weekend.....Four generations of women.

29 July

And a few more from our whirlwind of a weekend.....
I want to remember.....

• Stopping By Grandmas House, How it brought back memories of how we used to drive the  the "swingset way" and making that trip down Hemlock Lane. How Grandma sang to B in the back of the car the songs she used to sing to us when we were little.  How she told stories of what she would do if she won the lottery, how she gave one of her paintings to the oil furnace maintenance man, and how she makes friends with all the people working at the grocery store.  She has such a gift to be able to strike up a conversation with anyone.
• How L was working with my Dad on a fix it project and how he didn't want to leave until they finished "just one more part"
• How L missed T when he was gone.
• Photos of four generations of women.
• How T left Canada and his very First long Course state meet with six medals.  I am one proud Mama!