Thanksgiving Weekend

Another bittersweet holiday. We had a delicious dinner, which I made might I add (okay with help from Grandma)... at Grandma's house. It was also nice to have a toned-down family gathering. Missing some of our regulars (Mom, Stacy & Bryce & John) and of course - my husband. Jen's kids went to inlaws and their father's house right after dinner, so there were even fewer kids running around afterwards than usual. We ate until we could eat no more and then we played cards for a few hours. Euchre is the game of choice around these parts.

But I couldn't help but wonder how my husband was feeling spending Thanksgiving without his family. I know it was his choice, but still I have not turned into some cold-hearted bitch. We haven't talked really, other than a few emails and texts since he left, but I'm sure Thanksgiving was just one day recently that he wishes he made another choice.

On happier notes, Gram & I took to the mall for Black Friday. We were happy to see our local mall filled with shoppers, as it usually is so barren we are afraid of it closing. I was happy that Aunt Nancy agreed to take Abigail for the day so we could be toddler free! Thank you Aunt Nancy! That was a HUGE help! I got a lot of shopping done and even snagged a $70 purse for $20 bucks for myself at JC Penney's. I realized that my Gram is really getting older than I like to admit. Normally she would have gone shopping all day and it not really bothered her. Friday, after 5 hours she was toast! Her back hurt and she was ready to plop into bed. I guess she is entitled, she is over 70... Although I have to admit, with the plantar faciitis in my right foot, after 5 hours my foot was killing me as well! I even wore tennis shoes, but it still burned like fire.

Saturday Marissa spent the day with us and we made christmas cookies. I let her & Abigail mix, roll out dough, use the cookie cutters and then decorate the cookies. I even took such cute pictures along the way! Only to realize that the memory card was not in Grandma's camera! I was so mad! My point and shoot will tell me if there is no card in the slot, but I found out the hard way today that Gram's camera has no such warning... Oh well, the girls had a blast and the holidays have begun! This evening we went shopping to a few more stores and headed out to Steak N Shake for dinner. Two nights and two days of thanksgiving food was enough for me!

Christmas Pictures

Abigail & I went to JC Penney's yesterday for our annual Christmas card pictures. It was bittersweet, because last year's picture was so different from what this year's card will look like. Although I'm certain that this year's card will shine like the bright star in the east, it will only don two of us. Last year my family seemed more complete. Sal was still around and Sabrina was a part of our busy mix. By now Sal has resettled himself in Denver and really doesn't want to be part of us, and Sabrina is happily back home with her mom, which of course, is where she belongs. However, it still seemed incomplete for a holiday picture of two.

In the end, Abigail was WONDERFUL for the pictures! I couldn't have asked for a better 2 year old! She smiled sweetly on command, giggled at all the right times, and was so beautifully dressed! While we both have experienced a pretty traumatic fall, we do have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving & hope that you do too!

Trick or Treat! Smell my feet...

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

We had a fabulous time trick or treating with Maria and her girls again this year. I had been practicing with Abigail all week to say "trick or treat" as correctly and loudly as she could. She rarely will say whole words, let alone phrases, so I wanted to give her lots of time to practice! I think she remembered going out last year, because she was so very excited! She picked out her own costume this year, and she was a gorgeous little devil! We tried to talk her into a princess outfit, but nope! Guess she knows her personality the little stinker! Anyway, enjoy the photos!

Pumpkin to Jack-O-Lantern!

Tonight was the perfect evening for carving our pumpkin!
We started outside at Gram's and I let Abigail pick out the design.
While she got to help, Mommy did all the actual cutting.

I'm afraid our little girl has a little OCD complex in her.
She HATES the feeling of some textures, especially ooey, gooey
ones. I knew we would only get one shot to capture
a good picture of her cleaning out the pumpkin guts.
She gagged for 10 minutes until Gram hosed off her
hands and leg.

All finished! No worse for wear and the jack-o-lantern
turned out pretty good! What is with the
one shoe on, one shoe off? Did I mention we think
she is a little OCD?

Fall Fun

To start off our new adventure living with Grandma, we make Halloween rice crispy treats. Abigail really enjoyed stirring and decorating the treats. She liked eating them too, but thought they were a little sweet for her taste. More for Mommy & Grandma!

She is so proud of her decorated treats! Although she had more fun picking off the little candies!

Tall, Tall Ships

We headed to downtown Tampa earlier this week to tour a couple of visiting ships. They were massive indeed! Gram called and said she thought Gabriel would really enjoy touring the ships and learning about life at sea. The ships are actually sail boats (huge boats!) belonging to Columbia & Uruguay. Each ship has a unique history, but now both train Navy recruits during publicity appearances around the world. The recruits learn about life at sea, ship maintenance and sailing.  One of the young crew members absolutely fell in love with Abigail! He tried to pin a button on her sirt - she was quite cooperative - but he was a little embarrassed I think! His limited english speaking skills weren't helping matters either. But it was so cute!

Before embarking on our adventure, Gabriel stated over and over that he wanted to join the Navy and work on an aircraft carrier. However, just while we were at dock - with very little wind or sea movement I might add - poor Gabriel got very sea sick. While touring the Gloria, he turned quite pale and began sweating, was dizzy, etc. I realize it was quite hot, but Gram nor I felt any movement at all! I thought he was going to throw up - or pass out! He is rethinking his career in the Navy...

We enjoyed ourselves immensely and Abigail loved climbing the narrow stairs to each level of the ship, although Gram didn't ~ and later required a visit to her massage therapist to work out the kinks in her hip. We ended our day in downtown with a visit to Champs restaurant  for lunch and cool drinks. It was a really hot day & I ended up with a few new blisters for all the walking we did, but what a great day it was!

Gram, Gabriel & Abigail on the ARC Gloria from Columbia.

Abgiail wanted to steer the ship - but they had the helm tied down tight. Good for them!

By this point Gabriel is ready to get off the ship! But Abigail is just getting started!

and after a long, hot day touring ships, Abigail found her favorite place ~ right in Grandma's lap!

First Trip to the Dentist

Today was Abigail's first dental visit. She was a little nervous at first, but did really great! She only started crying at the very end when the doctor came in. Other than that she was all smiles. She was REALLY happy to get her new Dora toothbrush - Dora is her favorite show and character - so a Dora toothbrush was a sweet prize! No cavities to report and only a small chipped front tooth to keep an eye on. It was a good day!

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