I have no pictures to share this post because I haven't taken many in the last month.  Oh well, I don't feel too guilty. The thanksgiving table looked really yummy though.

The whole family took off last week and we enjoyed a much-needed stack of days to all do what we want, agenda-free.  Life gets busy, and hectic, filled with events and times and deadlines....and while that is just normal life, I was especially grateful to pause and spend time with my family, eat too much, sleep in, shop and just enjoy time instead of watching it go by.  We enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving dinner with my sister and her family, my Mom and aunt and uncle and their kids.  I am used to cooking the entire dinner myself (since we usually spend Thanksgiving just the four of us) but it was so nice this year to only make a couple dishes.  I had bright visions of early Black Friday shopping but didn't get out until 9am and got everything I wanted!  Plus I put in around 5 orders on various retailers websites and scored some fabulous deals and free shipping! 

I took the opportunity to take Hannah and Taylor out on a "date" separately and just listen, laugh and talk, and enjoy each of them.  I even got to go out with grownups only for dinner.  Mike took the kids all day to a friends house that has kids close to Hannah and Taylor ages, and they all had a great time. 

Now it's back to reality: grocery shopping and cleaning, work deadlines and homework, but I feel refreshed and re-filled.  And I get to do it all over again in about 3 weeks!!