The Christmas Card Tradition Lives On

Mommy picked up some extra work hours today, but Mommy spent this morning with the both of you.  Bodhi, you are entering a new phase... Mommy was stunned when while I was getting cleaned up, you came walking in the bathroom and said, "Mommy, when I was at GiGi's there was a dog that the people don't let inside and it has a boo boo, GiGi put medicine on the boo and I fed the poor baby a treat, but it snapped at me cause it can't see, but those mean people don't let it inside."  HA/HA!  Mommy was in shock.  This was the absolute first time you initiated and told an entire story.  It was so precious, and I could understand most of :)  You are growing up soooo fast!  You are so incredibly smart, Mommy and Daddy are just amazed at how observant and creative you are.  Jude, you are talking more and more as well.  You talk much clearer than your sister, but you both have a funny accent thing going on hee/hee  Bodhi, you asked to play beauty shop on Momma.  Mommy was in a hurry to get things done, but Mommy put her to-do list on hold so that you could brush and blow dry Mommy's hair.  It's a good thing Mommy's head isn't sensitive, but you did a great job.  

After playing beauty shop, Mommy gave you both a bath and got you two dressed.  You two still love your baths, and you both love taking baths together.  GiGi stopped by and ended up taking you, Jude, to her house an hour early.  Bodhi, Mommy gathered up my work supplies and we headed over to Grandmoo's.  Neither of you napped, well, you napped for like a half hour, Jude.  Mommy's work schedule interferes with your guy's naps :(  Daddy picked you, Jude, up at 7pm.  Bodhi, you weren't ready to go yet.  You and Grandmoo were busy baking and you ended up taking a late nap.  So, Mommy picked Bodhi up after work and after collecting our rent.  You were pretty wound up and not wanting to go home or go to bed, so Mommy promised you we would dress Ms. Allie and Mr. Arlo up and take Christmas photos when we arrived home.  Once home, you and Jude assisted Mommy with preparing props and getting Ms. Allie to look at the camera and say "cheese."  Mommy didn't think our doggy Christmas cards were going to continue this year, it's the first year without Mr. Murff and Ms. Allie doesn't seem like the type to cooperate.  However, Mommy was pleasantly surprised... once Mommy got the costume on Ms. Allie, she fully cooperated and was calm through it all ha/ha  I think Holsapple dogs just instinctively know to cooperate or the photo session will drag on :)  You two even assisted Mommy with clean-up :)  Now Mommy just has to find the time to design this years Christmas cards. 

Sweet dreams my sweet sweet babes :) 

Going to Grandmoo's and GiGi's :)

Sneak preview :)

Bodhi wearing Mr. Arlo's outfit ;)

A Fair Balance of Work and Play :)

Needless to say, Momma was very sleepy this morning, but that didn't stop us from having fun and getting things done :)  You two awakened, first climbing into bed with Mommy to have me put your guy's hair up in a top-of-the-head pony tail, and then venturing downstairs to Daddy where he fed and loved on you.  Daddy got a kick out of your hair, and took pictures :)  

Mommy made her way downstairs too, headed straight for the coffee.  Mommy got you both dressed, and set up with toys in the living room.  I started a Pinterest recipe for Mommy's and Daddy's dinner... you two will be eating dinner at GiGi's and Grandmoo's tonight while Mommy and Daddy work.  Mommy's friend, Lindsay, stopped by with two of her four beautiful babes to talk about a program that assists in saving money on everyday purchases.  Bodhi, you petted Lindsay's baby girl, as if she was a dog or kitty ha/ha and Jude, you ran around like a crazy man, throwing smiles and flirting up a storm :) GiGi dropped in and played with you two while Mommy finished making dinner for later.  GiGi ended up taking you, Bodhi, early.  Jude, you were okay with this because you were excited about going to Grandmoo's house.  Neither of you got a nap, and Mommy planned in advance for a "no-nap" day, so Jude, you pushed on with Mommy.  We cleaned up our lunch and toy messes, as well as got Mommy packed up for work.  

Mommy dropped you, Jude, off at Grandmoo's and then headed to Frankfort for work.  Daddy picked you both up at 8pm, Mommy was still working and didn't make it home until about 8:45 p.m.  Mommy took care of the fuzzy critters and then put you, Jude to bed.  Mommy hasn't received a report regarding your adventures, but I'm certain you both had a great time.  

Jude, when Mommy was putting you to bed, you started crying and throwing a temper tantrum.  Bodhi, you were already passed out in your bed... you were past ready for nighty night time.  When rocking you, Buddha, Mommy told you, "nighty night sweet baby, Mommy loves you to the moon and back," to which you said, "No nighty night Momma," followed by snores.  Mommy laughed at you, you couldn't even stay awake to fight going to sleep.  When I laughed you would awaken enough to say, "not funny," and then back to snoring you went hee/hee  

Sweet dreams my sweet babes.  Mommy picked up some extra hours tomorrow and will again be working in Frankfort. You, Mr. Buddha, will be going to GiGi's and you, Ms. Bodhi, will spend the a few hours with Grandmoo :)

Good Morning Tweety Bird :)

Mr. Cool :)

Hello Baby Pumpkin Head :)

Crazy Hair :0

Daddy reports that you were patting your brother on the back saying, "aawwww Jude!"

Lafayette Bound

Daddy had a follow-up doctor's appointment this morning, while we were getting geared up to make a trip to Lafayette.  Initially, Daddy wasn't expected to accompany us, Mommy had planned to be on the road by the time Daddy left because we were going to be cutting it close to your guy's nap time.  However, Daddy got home sooner than expected and joined us.  Mommy had some work business to take care of, so we picked up some drinks for the  car ride and  made our way west.

You two were chattering in the backseat about your movie, Puss and Boots, while Mommy and Daddy chatted in the front seat while quietly listening to the radio.  Jude, you made it all the way to Lafayette before you finally crashed. Bodhi, twenty minutes into the car ride and you were out cold.  Mommy took care of work, and then we took advantage of you two sleeping... Mommy ran into some stores to check out deals on some anticipated Christmas gifts.  Afterwards, we made the hour trip back home.  Mommy took our cable/internet equipment to the UPS shipping store, it had to be sent back within ten days of disconnecting, while Daddy bundled you two up to play in the backyard.  Mommy also took some items to the Animal Shelter for an upcoming fundraiser garage sale, as well as picked you two up a few "Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa"  gifts :)  

Mommy picked up dinner and GiGi's carpet cleaner on my way home.  Once home, Mommy got busy cleaning carpets and furniture.  Mr. Arlo went potty on Mommy's favorite rug :(  Boy does Mr. Arlo's potty stink like no other!  Mommy scrubbed, scrubbed, and scrubbed some more.  It just didn't get it, so Mommy moved on to the carpet cleaner... cleaning both sides of the rug and hardwood floor.  You two ran around the house, raising absolute hell, as you often do when Mommy or Daddy is preoccupied with work or cleaning.  Mommy got most of the downstairs cleaned, then moving upstairs.  You two went upstairs to "watch" Mommy clean the carpet, however, you both curdled up in your beds and fell asleep :)-  Mommy even cleaned your rooms, carpet, hardwood, and all, neither of you woke up hee/hee  Mommy cleaned the remainder of the house and didn't get finished until 3am.  Wheeew, Mommy was exhausted!  Daddy managed to get his office bookshelves situated and organized, YAY!  

It was a long, uneventful, tiring day... but we got through it :)  Sweet dreams my sweet sweet babes!

Sorry, no fun pictures today :(

IU

This morning Mommy couldn't wake up, even after getting a good night's rest :)-  Bodhi, you were up early with your Daddy, and when he left for work, you apparently gave up on Mommy getting up and woke your brother up.  Mommy doesn't know how long you two were playing before I finally came to hee/hee but I can't imagine it was longer than a half hour or so. Mommy rolled out of bed at 8:15 a.m. when I realized you, Jude, were awake... shaking Mommy and telling Mommy, "get up Momma!"  Mommy freaked!  I couldn't believe you were up and I was scared to see what kind of trouble you got into while I was passed out.  Surprisingly, there were no messes and no major surprises (well none that I've found so far).  Mommy poured a large cup of coffee, got you two fed and juice in your sippie cups.  Bodhi, Daddy had set you up with grapes and juice, Mommy discovered the empty bowl beside the couch where you were watching cartoons.  Daddy had prepared a bowl of grapes and a juice cup for you, Buddha, that Mommy found in the refrigerator when I went to make you guys breakfast.  Mommy did laundry, dishes, trash, and pooper scooper duty while you two played and ran around.  You both helped Mommy with these tasks.  Jude, you took the clothes out of the washer (one by one) and handed each article to Mommy to put in the dryer (this prolonged laundry duty), but you love doing it :)  That's my boy!  You also pushed the start button for both the washer and the dryer.  Bodhi, you helped pick up and organize toys...taking them back to their proper rooms.  You were so cute, "Are you kidding me, this toy doesn't go here, I'll take care of it Momma."  

Jude, you managed to dress up in your sister's hat, socks, and shoes.  You were so proud, "look Mommy I DID IT," meaning you dressed yourself with no help from Mommy :)  After play time, Mommy put you both down for a late afternoon nap (at 2pm).  Mommy got the painting bug, yes, again!  I decided to use the left over paint from the piano bench and repaint the living room ceiling.   Mommy called Daddy at work and asked that he stop by Menards to pick up a roller on his way home.  Daddy ran into Grandpa and asked that he come by later to watch the IU game.  Daddy also invited Sean Franky, but Franky had to work out and then go back to work.  

Mommy almost had all the painting done in the time that you two napped, when I just had to dump a half a gallon of yellow paint all over the living room, UGGGGH!  It splashed Mommy's couch (the side that wasn't covered), all over my red mirror, the floor, the ladder, and even in the register.  Mommy was PISSED!  It took a good half hour to clean the mess up, and it's a good thing Daddy decided to pick you two up a Happy Meal (they are on sale on Tuesdays ha/ha) because had he seen the extent of the mess, he would have freaked... like Mommy freaked.  When Mommy finished cleaning up the paint mess, and after Daddy arrived back home with Happy Meals, Mommy decided to wake you two up... you guys were wanting to sleep forever again this afternoon.  

Mommy awakened you both, and you both were surprisingly in great moods.  You both were also excited to learn that Daddy had picked you up a Happy Meal.  After dinner, Mommy got back to finishing up the painting and cleaning under the couches (I was in a rush because Daddy had invited Grandpa over) and well, Mommy didn't think Grandpa and Daddy would want to try and watch the game, while having Mommy stand on a ladder in front of the tv.  Grandpa arrived shortly after Daddy arrived home from work at 8pm.  You two were running around playing, trying to dump the paint, so Grandpa took you two upstairs to play until the IU game started.  Mommy had the room put back together by game time.  You two got to stay up late, you two wanted to watch the game too :)  

After the IU game, you both went nighty night :)  Sweet dreams my sweet sweet babes! 

PS Daddy and Grandpa agree Mommy is psycho ha/ha and Aunt Dianna says "certifiable," but Daddy says he's glad Mommy is psycho because I make our house beautiful ha/ha! Aunt Dianna says I need my thyroid checked because I have the energy of 20 people... she really does think Mommy is nuts, however she's an enabler because she wants Mommy to help her with her house projects :)- Mommy is super excited to dig into Aunt Dianna's house (which is one of Mommy's and Daddy's  favorite houses... we would have bought it had we known how to restore the home back to a single family home, it had been converted into three apartments).  Aunt Dianna's house is super amazing!  

Bodhi, you loved the Mommarazzi today, which is a first!  You posed next to your bunny and said, "Mommy, get the camera, look at me!"  HA/HA!

Buddha is his sister's clothes and shoes... Mommy's Momma friends all say their little boys enjoy dressing up in girl's clothes too :)  They just don't take pictures to torture their sons later in life like your Momma does hee/hee  

You and Jude roll all over poor Ms. Allie...oddly she loves it!  She really thinks you two are her pups!

IU with Grandpa :)

"Grandpa and his stories" :)-

IU with Ms. Allie and Daddy :)  Ms. Allie is saying, "Momma, I take it I'm not getting a walk tonight?"

New Sunshine... Buddha, you said "OOOOH Momma, Sunshine like me!"  "My favorite color!" :)

Daddy's yellow was pretty, but it wasn't what I had in mind. Anyone that knows me knew when I painted it the first time and said, "it's nice, it's pretty, but it really wasn't the look I wanted...knew it was a matter of time before I re-painted it hee/hee 

Daddy's new "Talkative Turquoise"  office :)

It's much prettier in person!  We still have to put everything back together in there... Mommy is waiting to get GiGi's carpet cleaner too.

Finishing Touches on 1st Batch of Ornaments

This morning we were up early in anticipation of the Comcast people coming over to switch our cable, phone, and internet over from At&t.  With Ms. Allie and Mr. Arlo growling and barking, plus and the two of you, it proved to be too much.  Mommy took a shower and then put you guys in the bath.  After we were all cleaned up, Mommy took you two for a little road trip.  We went and picked up a refund check from the insurance agency in Peru.  You two watched Puss in Boots in the backseat, sipping on your guy's orange and blue bug juice, just chillin' ha/ha :)  We then headed to Hobby Lobby to pick up some paint so that you guys could paint your ceramic Christmas ornaments.  You both were super excited about finishing your ornaments...that's all Mommy has heard about since we made them, "Mommy when are we going to paint our hands?"  

After Hobby Lobby, Mommy was driving us home but you, Jude, kept yelling, "please Mommy, no go home, no nap time Mommy."  Mommy decided to be super Momma hee/hee and I turned off to a park I've never taken you to, Northwest Park.  Oh boy were you two stoked!  Bodhi, you didn't have gloves and it was cold, but you both were to excited to complain.  Mommy even let you two climb up the huge equipment all by yourselves :)  Daddy would have had a heart attack.  After about 30 minutes of park time, we then headed home. It was getting late and you two were finally tired.  Bodhi, you actually asked to go home to take a nap.  Jude, you were your usual anti-nap self, but fell right to sleep once Mommy laid you down.  Thankfully they had your televisions set-up and so you both got to watch your show while you fell into Sleepyville. 

While you two napped, Mommy and Sean Franky watched a funny movie and ate Thanksgiving leftovers.  You two took an extra long nap, Mommy had to go up and wake you both up...you would have both slept into bedtime, you little suckers.  Once you both were up, Mommy warmed you both up some leftovers and then got busy painting your ornaments.  You both were so excited and so happy.  You Ms. Bodhi, wanted more and more and more to paint hee/hee you're my little artist. 

After dinner, after crafts, we had a dance session then some play time, and then it was off to bed for the two of you.   Mommy was tired, too tired to do the blog, and not motivated for any major projects, so Mommy laid in bed watching tv and researching "Grills" on FB :)  Nighty night.  

Sweet dreams my sweet sweet babes.  

Painting Christmas ornaments...in your undies of course :)

Look at the focus :)

Thanksgiving Sunday

As circumstances necessitated flexibility (as circumstances often do), we planned our family Thanksgiving feast for today, the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day.

First and foremost, it is very important that a record reflect the fact that such a feast would not have been possible without the labor of Mommy and Sister Kelly, as each contributed to the fantastic meal we were blessed to enjoy! Also importantly, it is perhaps impossible to adequately convey in writing, or otherwise, how much it meant to Daddy that our meal was blessed with the presence of Mommy, Emilia, Jude, Grandma, Grandpa Kurt, Sister Kelly, Brother Aaron, Brother Sean Francis and Ariel. Daddy sadly regretted Brother Ryan Michael and Holly could not join us. We all wished GiGi and GiPa and Papaw and Aunt Chris and Uncle Barry and Uncle Dan (there has been hope he might visit from Arizona this holiday season) could have joined us, too.

Mommy magnificently cooked a huge fresh turkey, and we enjoyed all the traditional trimmings, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn casserole and bean casserole and deviled eggs (Daddy loves Sister Kelly’s and GiGi’s deviled eggs and would do without were it not for one of them coming throughJ) (compliments of Sister Kelly). Sister Kelly also brought along some spiced (and separately some spiked) apple cider and buffalo-wing dip and cheese ball. Mommy laid out our Alice in Wonderland dining room and table perfectly for a perfect holiday celebration! We topped off dinner with Dutch Apple pie and whipped cream and a cheese cake.

As magnificent as our meal was, it was certainly surpassed by the possibility of us being together in fellowship and love. Quite honestly, as much a recluse as Daddy tends to be (a trait familiar to and practiced by the Grills ClanJ) the opportunity to spend time with family has taken on such a vital, valued importance. We are especially blessed to have a loving family, folks who genuinely look out for one another and a few loving friends as close as family as well. Mommy and Daddy intend for the two of you to come to fully understand the value of family and such friends at a young age so you will celebrate your special blessing all of your lives. As we celebrated this day.

“Night, night” family and friends, and a special “night, night” to our Gypsy Princess and Viking Prince!

Santa Claus Is Coming To Town

Today was a day filled with excitement in anticipation of our new family tradition of visiting the Seiberling Mansion for the Christmas Tree lights celebration and arrival of Santa!

The day was a difficult start for Daddy, as he had to get up and go to work for a few hours, and by mid-morning return found some very excited little angels anticipating a special evening. Daddy was so tired, and Mommy let Daddy rest on the couch while you two worked on Christmas craft projects, and then we all got up and enjoyed a delicious lunch of ham and turkey (and oyster dressing for Daddy) from GiGi, and Daddy warmed up some sweet potatoes from Aunt Terrie.

After lunch, three of us (guess whoJ) went down for a needed nap, while Mommy worked on house cleaning. After what seemed like a short napJ, Daddy got up and worked on re-stocking the built-in bookshelf in the library/study Mommy and you, Ms. Bodhi, emptied the day before while working on the painting of that room. Mommy hurriedly cleaned the entire house (and it sparkled) so that we could prepare for our evening family tradition-adventure! Daddy invited Grandma and GiGi and GiPa to join us at the house at 5:30 p.m. so we could all go over together for the Seiberling celebration. Mommy and Daddy both attempted to call and make a reservation for a horse-drawn carriage ride, but when Daddy finally got through to someone we learned the last reservation had been made an hour earlier. The very nice woman suggested that we ask when we came to the holiday event if any opening might possibly exist, but she stated that was frankly not likely. Mommy asked Daddy to pick up a pizza and some bread-sticks for a quick dinner.

Just as we were finishing our dinner, GiGi and GiPa arrived, followed shortly thereafter by Grandma, and then Grandpa, so we all bundled up warmly and headed across the street to the neighboring Seiberling Mansion.  Grandpa opted not to venture with us in the cold :(   We arrived just in time for us to witness the arrival of Santa, then we made our way among the large crowd (seemed a larger crowd this year) in line to tour the inside of the mansion (Daddy spoke with the gentleman managing the carriage rides and was told he was welcome to periodically check in, but there had been no reservation cancellationsL).

We all enjoyed a walking tour of the beautiful Victorian mansion, all decked out for the holidays with a Christmas tree in nearly every room of the spacious mansion and live Christmas music throughout the mansion. After exiting Daddy asked everyone to wait outside on the porch together, and Daddy again struck up a conversation with the nice gentleman (a retired United States Air Force officer) managing the carriage rides, and the gentleman arranged for us to take a carriage ride (hooray!!!! JJJJJJJ !!!!) and we cuddled together under blankets and rode through the Old Silk Stocking Neighborhood (right by the front of our houseJ) and we all were enchanted by the ride! (Daddy spoke about Grandpa Holsapple's service in the Air Force, to which the gentleman immediately arranged a ride for us... Go Daddy!)

After our carriage ride, we went to the other building on the grounds where the two of you met Santa and we all enjoyed hot cider, fruit punch and cookies!!! Grandmoo and GiGi accompanied you both while getting your faces painted, a reindeer for you, Ms. Bodhi, and a Christmas tree for you, Buddha.   It was a fun-filled night for all (though you began to get cranky toward the end, Mister Buddha) and we all went back to our house before GiGi and GiPa and Grandma then eventually left to go home. Both of you grinned from ear to ear and said you had fun on our family tradition adventure, and so did Grandma, and GiGi, and GiPa and Mommy and Daddy, and we all pledged to repeat next year for another fun-filled start to our holiday! “Night, night!!!”

Mommy had hoped to be home to snap a picture of Aunt Debbie Riffe as she strolled by in the very first carriage ride, but we ourselves were awaiting entry and a carriage ride ourselves :(  

Aunt Dianna is supposed to come have some wine with Momma tonight, hopefully she gets a chance to get away :)

Morning Christmas craft project :) AND our usual nakey time ha/ha

In the oven they go :)

Santa and Mrs. Clause rode in on their sleigh :)

Look at your excited face, Bodhi :)

Buddha, you clapped with excitement while perched on Grandmoo's shoulders :)

Face painting :)

GiGi having you two check out your face art :)

Family photo :)

And our carriage ride finally arrived!  The prices were unbelievably high this year, YIKES! Mommy feels obligated to raise money for a family less fortunate to take a ride next year!

Check out these characters :)-

You look cold and unhappy, but you really enjoyed your carriage ride :)

You did too Bodhi girl!

Seiberling Mansion all lit up :)

This year's Santa visit went over much better than last year's trip ha/ha  

Santa is telling you, Jude, he thinks you've been on the naughty list... he's giving you a pep talk ha/ha!

Boys And Girls

Today was a deliberately slow recovery day from our big travel day to Vincennes yesterday. Daddy made the two of you fried eggs and toast and chocolate milk for breakfast and rice for Mommy, but Mommy wasn’t feeling well so she didn’t eatL.

After breakfast we relaxed and watched tv together until close to noon when Daddy made a coney run for lunch, but the root beer stand was closed so Daddy made an alternate drive-thru at Coney Island (Mommy’s favorite anyway) and after receiving a call from Mommy with directionsJ, Daddy went by GiGi’s where GiGi and GiPa gave us some turkey and ham (and Daddy some of GiPa’s famous oyster dressingJ) from their Thanksgiving dinner. Daddy couldn’t believe how crowded both shopping malls were when he drove by!

After returning home and having lunch together, we all went down for a nap and Daddy tried to play huggy bear and kissy face with MommyJ. We were all still tired from our trip and enjoyed a nice nap.

After naptime, it was work time and we divided labor between girls and boys. Mommy and you, Bodhi, stayed at home and emptied the remaining bookshelf of books (which Mommy later bragged about your big-girl help, Princess Bodhi!) and finished painting our library/study. Daddy and Buddha were assigned the big dinner shopping responsibility, including a visit to Wal-Mart to see if we could find a sale/inexpensive small flat-screen tv for the library/study. We had no luck on the tv, having missed the big sales specials, but we made the best of the situation by finding some kick-ass pickles, some bananas, and some grapes. We then made our way (it was so cold outside!!!) to Marsh for our grocery list assignment, and where you Jude Liam absolutely went bonkers over the huge over-head pipes and duct-work in the building (you literally were screaming at the top of your lungs over wanting to go up and get inside them, so Daddy started screaming about how cool they were, too, and you seemed to lose some interest in them in amazement that Daddy would scream with youJ).

We found our huge turkey, and all other items on our list (and a few items not on the list like some new coffee on sale, a new brand of V8 juice (with black pepper) Daddy couldn’t resist and some needed bread. Mommy called and placed a special request for a vanilla coke and for us to make an additional run for some more paint (Daddy in error first went to Lowe’s for the paint, and then had to call Mommy to confirm the paint actually came from Menard’s---and Daddy felt bad about the mistake because it had become very cold outside and was concerned about taking you in and out of the car). So, we went by the house to drop off the groceries before finally making our trip to Menard’s for the paint (and a candy barJ) and finally returned home to look upon quite approvingly our newly painted library/study (Mommy and Bodhi had done their share of work, tooJ!).

After that eventful evening, we were all again ready for some sleep, though after we got you to bed, Buddha, your sister secretly stayed up with Daddy to watch a show and both Daddy and Princess Bodhi ended up falling asleep on the couch. Mommy stayed up late into the night putting some finishing touches on the library/study and doing some cleaning in preparation for our special dinner Sunday.

All-in-all, it made for another long and tiring day, and we were all more than ready for “night, night!”

These are just the books from three of Daddy's small built in bookshelves, uggggh!  

Thanksgiving in Old Vincennes

Today was our holiday adventure day! We were all up early, though preparations slowed us down and delayed our departure for Vincennes, still we were determined to allow nothing to damper our excitement for our journey. We had discussed taking a caravan down with Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron and Brother Sean Franky joining us, but Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron had commitments in Kokomo. Brother Sean Franky did call early and say he was game for the trip and would drive his own car down, following us. Daddy was excited that Sean could join us, though somewhat saddened that he would have to drive that long trip by himself (and also saddened that Sean had tentatively planned to spend Thanksgiving Day with Ariel’s family, but something happened that he learned from Ariel it probably would not be good for him to come to visit them—Daddy was very, very, very displeased with that news, but has learned to not meddle in his adult children’s lives; and Daddy recognized that we would have a better family gathering as a consequence of Sean joining us!). Sean assured Daddy he would be fine driving in his own car, and soon met us at the house and we were off!

We stopped by to pick up our camera at Grandma’s and say our goodbyes and thank her for agreeing to help take care of Allie and Arlo and Dora and Ella. Then we made a quick pit stop at McDonald’s for some road breakfast and coffee (not for babiesJ). Daddy called Sister Kelly and Brother Ryan Michael to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving along the way, and then focused on driving the long and winding roadJ.We didn’t stop again until about twenty miles outside of Terre Haute to get some goodies and stretchJ.

Daddy confesses there is something mystical about Vincennes, and even Mommy has adopted some understanding and feeling for the historic old city. When we arrived we made a stop for a photo-shootJ down by the Wabash river downtown, and then stopped by our traditional picturesque Old Cathedral and George Rogers Clark National Park and Memorial. We proceeded on to Aunt Terrie’s and were among the first to arrive, followed by Aunt Diane and Rico and Brie, Chrissie and Katie, and then Aunt Debbie and Uncle Mike and Abby and Sophie (what a beautiful little baby girl!!!—and her mommy, Cousin Abby looked great and fully recovered from having her first baby!!!) and Aaron. Grandma Betty was picked up by Aunt Diane and Uncle Brad (Rico) and Daddy assisted Rico in helping Grandma Betty inside the house---she is so frail and having such difficulty getting aroundL! Missy and Kellen (he has gotten so tall!) and Cory and his girlfriend also arrived (but were first to go, as Cory had to return home and prepare to work tonight).

We all settled in for an old-fashioned Thanksgiving feast and enjoyed time to visit and count our blessings for a wonderfully loving and mutually supportive family! And as always is the case, no sooner did our family gathering begin than time arrived to turn right back around and head for homeL. We made a stop (at our own risk) at Wal-Mart on the way out of town to pick up an additional children’s video for the return road trip to play in the mobile dvd player (what a treat that has proven to be for Bodhi and Buddha!), but by the time Sean and Daddy returned to the car both of the baby angels were sound asleep. 

Checking out the Wabash River :)

Bodhi taking care of her little "bother," getting a sucker stuck to the back of his jeans off hee/hee

Yeah, sometimes we like each other hee/hee! :)-

Mommy saw a group of boys riding their bikes...just like Daddy use to do :)

Where Daddy would catch a film :)

Best Pizza in the world!!!

Hello :)

Aunt Terrie's house... Now Daddy was in charge of getting family pictures, Mommy was busy entertaining the two of you, he forgot :(

Cousin Aaron and Uncle Mike :)

Precious Precious baby Sophie with Aunt Diane and Grandma Betty :)

Proud Momma, Cousin Abby :)

Cousin Krissy :)