Over already?

Well, the table was all set with my Grandma's dishes,

The star of the day is always the turkey...or in our case, two turkeys...no Jack isn't the second turkey, stop it all of you....he loves smoked turkey (Mormon turkeys are permitted to smoke) so we always do two and here's my sweetie doing the honors of carving said "smoked turkey"

What follows next are some of the cast of characters that helped make this day special and they are always what I'm truly grateful for all year...family. We missed all those who couldn't come out this year and hope they all had a great day! Here's our Anthony with his plate full...

Cameron looks like he's enjoying his food...I got that 3 compartment dish when I had his Dad 33yrs ago! It's held up well...

What can I say about Jord? I made his green bean casserole that is always his request, so he had no complaints!

This is the first year we had the meal buffet style...if we had to lift all those dishes full of food, our arms would have fallen off and I would be stuck with tons of left overs!!!!

Prayers said, thanks given, plates loaded up...Yummo!

Addy didn't have any turkey, dressing, sweet potato casserole, or pumpkin chiffon pie, but we still got a smile out of her...she'll be 2 months old on Monday...what a cutie. Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

Turkey day pumpkin shoot

Turkey day pumpkin shoot wasn't as good as usual. I did hit one dead center, but of course it wasn't on film...you'll just have to take my word for it! But here is me, Summer, and Jack. He actually hit one dead center and it was caught on film...Good one Jackie!

Happy Birthday Jackie!!

33yrs ago today my first born came into the world 8wks early. Only weighing in at 2#10oz, he was a peanut but a fighter. To survive as a preemie that long ago without any problems is a miracle. I thought he was the cutest thing in the world, while everyone else just looked at him and thought he was too little to make it. But make it he did. He was a wonderful baby and a very sweet and quiet little boy. He was our first so he had to be the experiment and put up with us as new parents. Happy birthday Jack (I'm the ony one who still calls him Jackie)...Hope your day is great and thanks for being such a good son! Follows are some early pics to embarrass him! Here's his very first one. Looks sorta like a little bird!

He was a cute 2yr old in his sailor suit! We call this pic: "Jack with the goobie eyes" ...can you guess why?

Awww...his first glasses...he hated them and lost them at every opportunity

His birthday is always during Thanksgiving week and sometimes it falls on Thanksgiving day, as this birthday cake suggests...He was actually born on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, so today is a "real" birthday!

Love ya kiddo! Hard to believe you have 4 kiddos of your own!

Dad, this is for you

On November 18th, 1976 my Dad passed away. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. It's hard to believe so much time has passed and he's missed so many great things. I have the hope however that he actually has been able to see our families and smile down on us and maybe even say a prayer or two for us! What I loved about Dad: His optimism, his great smile! How he could fix anything, his poems, his wonderful sense of humor, his love for his kids and his belief that we could acomplish anything in this world...He loved poetry, his guitar, singing, Christmas,fishing,photography,any new technology, hunting,books,his kids and I think most of all: My Mom...

Love ya Dad and miss you always...

I'm dreaming of a white november

Can't you almost feel the flakes? Don't you almost (if you're living somewhere warm) wish you were here? Ok, so maybe I'm pushing it a bit...

After the snowfall:

Yes, this is why it's called Whispering Pines...can't you hear them? They're saying " I'm freezing my needles off!"

So it's indoors for a cozy fire in the kitchen hearth followed by:

Yummy homemade veggie soup and a new Christmas magazine that just arrived today in the mail! (I'm addicted to mags, Hi I'm Kathy, I'm a magaholic)

Well, this night just begs for a roasted (ie burned, the best way to eat them) marshmellow...so sinful...

So good nite all as the sun sets on the Pines...hope your first snowfall is as wonderful

Brrrrrr!

Hmmmm....I think winter has arrived!

Sunday snow

There was more than frost on the pumpkins today...We had some snow a few weeks ago but I was working when it fell and it had melted by the time I left work. I enjoy the snowy scene this morning as I drove to my Stake assignment. I popped in a Christmas CD and enjoyed the ride. The Missionaries came for lunch and after they left I decided Eddy would enjoy a quick jaunt to the Creepy Woods. It was very chilly and the house felt nice and warm when we returned. Nice relaxing Sunday!

I was trying to think of something to blog about because I was tired of seeing the creepy halloween clown on this site! So thankfully, I chose to think of all the things I'm thankful for: Family, church, friends, work, play, books, music, nature and the change of seasons...But I needed some pics, so after ol' Tom the Turkey here, all I had available is Eddy the Boxer. He's doing very well with getting house broke and he's getting bigger everyday. He likes Jack because he sneaks him snacks..Squeak still hates him. He sleeps in her bed sometimes and she drinks out of his water bowl. He wants to play, she wants to scratch him. He's learned to give her some space!

Here's Eddy with his friend and snack sneaker!

Ok, I have to admit, he is sort of cute!

You know how they say dogs and their owners resemble each other? Hmmm....He likes to stretch out in front of the TV with Gord and I swear they do look alot alike!

Ok, this is my last, I promise, Halloween blog for this year...Driana, her friend Danielle, and I went to the Fireman's haunted woods tonite...Too fun for words,so we just screamed our way through! I wanted to get more pics but it was too dark. These were the only ones I got and I think they tell it all...It was held at the fireman's cabin...Craig, you know the place where the boyscouts always have their Feb. camp in. It was done up great and the proceeds will go to our hospital's relay for life team. Afterwards we headed back to the Pines for some hotdogs over an open campfire, some star gazing because the sky was crystal clear, some scary moments looking at the creepy woods thinking this clown was on his way down to get us! So now it's time to watch Ghost Hunter's Live Halloween show until 2am...then on to bed because tomorrow is the Kiwanis pancake breakfast! Great way to start November...Happy Halloween everyone!

Trick or Treat!

Ok, I couldn't stand leaving any witch out! Here's the one that sits so nicely on the kitchen fireplace mantel...a great lead into Ashland's trick or treat nite. Don't ask me why, but it's never held on Halloween, it's always the Thursday before...so here's a little sneak peak into the fun. First we went to Jack and Steph's in good 'ol Polk....everyone gets into the act! But first Steph put out a Halloween feast that was very yummy! Thanks Steph!

I had to include my favorite "witches fingers" of course...Took alot of witches to get that many fingers I'll tell 'ya.

Then I had to throw in my awesomely good bat icecream sandwiches...easy to make and fun to eat!

Then it was off to get some candy, candy, candy. Anthony was all ready with his fireman's outfit and a bag for the loot.

Summer and some of her friends were decked out in some pretty (not sure what she was) costumes and they had a riot running around Polk gathering the goodies.

Hmmm, this guy looks like he had one too many...yucky!!

I decided to follow along with the kids to capture some really scary people. Here's the first one I came upon...oops, sorry Jack! He was the official candy hander-outer..

Now this guy was a scary fellow! He had a partner in crime with him. They gathered quite the crowd but he did make a few kiddos step back and refuse his candy...good idea

Here's his buddy...what a scream.

Unfortunately, Cameron wasn't very impressed with all the nights activities, but he did like the cheetoos the fire department handed out! We walked up and down his road then headed for the warmth of his house. It was a bit chilly out! But the night was clear and everyone had fun. The kids came back with bags full of candy and fun tales of another Halloween! Boooooo!!!!!!

Which witch is whitch?

Here are a few of my fav things I love about Halloween ..All my witches! Some are small like the little tea pot witch brewing up some spell I'm sure.
These little gals (and the little bat boy) are from the Lori Mitchell collection that I think are just stinkin' cute!
I like her because her nose is so weird...I know, I have weird taste!

This witch is a bit unbalanced, she sits carefully or else her head tips her over.
I've had this beauty about 20 yrs. She used to sit outside, but I was afraid the elements would ruin her in her advanced stage of life!
Here's a few of my smaller ones. Very cute don't you think?
I found this one this year on a clearance table...all alone and with a slight infirmity...I won't go into it, but she needed a home....very sad tale
Now here's a perky gal...sitting so nicely on the mantle.
This one is probably my scariest one..When she worked she would cackle and her eyes would lite up... She's broken...probably needs a witch doctor!!!
I've had this one also for many years. So cute, I just want to pinch her!
Ok, I know these guys aren't witches, they're nutcrackers and sort of rare. I found them many years ago at a specialty decorating wholesale place that's no longer in business. Man, I miss that joint! Well, thanks for visiting some of my ladies. I actually have another one I missed and dearly love too, just have to wait until next year I guess! Have a happy Halloween and maybe take a witch to lunch or invite one over for dinner this week! (I'm available anytime!)