Hello, Monday 11.28.11

Hello, (again), rain and 40 degrees.

Hello, washing machine and dishwasher both running before 7 AM.

Hello, ginger ale and english muffin.

Hello, makeshift racetrack on storage bin lids.

Hello, Christmas cards-to-be-stuffed.  You're even prettier than I expected.

Hello, anticipation of our one solitary holiday party this Saturday.  We're gonna make you count, for sure.

Hello, Monday.  Please be good to us.

I'm linking up with Lisa for Hello, Monday.

In the blood

I love, love, love this picture my dad snapped of Seth on their recent day trip into Cleveland.

Dad moved to Toledo, essentially, when he was 18, to attend the University, and has lived here for 35+ years, but he has always said that Cleveland is his home – that he is “from” Cleveland. 

So, to see him being able to adventure around HIS city with his grandson, the way he used to do with me, is so special.  I’m SO very thankful that we have the opportunity to foster amazing relationships between our children and their grandparents.

Vacation: Recap

Well, it’s almost December.  Just about time to finish up my vacation blog posts. ;)

If you’re interested, you can read about each day of our summer vacation in Brown County, Indiana by clicking on each day’s picture.

 
If you’re ever looking for a great place to vacation, whether you want to stay busy, or just relax, I’d point you towards Brown County/Nashville, IN, and Moondance Vacation Rentals.  We had the best time, and I’m sure over the course of our future vacations, we’ll be back.

Overflowing with gratitude

Grand promises for more consistent and regular blogging always lead to absolute failure.

Oh, well.

Today, I am thankful – oh, so very thankful – for two little miracles that keep my days so full that there is no time to blog.
 

May your holiday season begin with as many blessings as your heart can contain.

From our family to yours,

Happy Thanksgiving!

A day at the zoo

75 degrees in mid-November?  Yes, please!

Christina and I have been going at full steam for a few months now, and we’ve not been able to Maddie and Seth together for a playdate in much too long, so we took advantage of the beautiful weather to head to the zoo.

Some pre-trip fun in the yard while we loaded up 4 carseats and strollers:
 

  Checking out the chimps:


Sweet baby Alex:
  
Breaking for a snack:

Onto the train rides!

My little daredevil on the playground:

We couldn’t have asked for a better day, and I know we couldn’t ask for better neighbors and friends.  Maddie was Seth’s first BFF here in Tennessee, and I know that relationship is one that, I, as a mommy, will cherish forever.

Just a day...

Black leggings and a gray tee, with the tiniest baby bump peeking out...

Caedmon's Call on the stereo...

Little helpers raking leaves....

Getting in the packing groove (18 days to go!), even if it is only dishes and towels and craft ribbon...

A disaster of a cheesecake, but knowing it won't matter to the friends gathered...

Duh

This picture made me laugh out loud when I ran across it in my Google Reader feed today.  The concept of "110%" is one of Jim's pet peeves, so I just had to share.