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!!

Here in Idaho where we are still enjoying sunny days of 70+ degrees, it is hard to feel like we are already in NOVEMBER!!  But as time does tell, I haven't been around here for almost a month.

Here's a little re-cap: 

This arrived and I have been enjoying it as much as one can enjoy any exercise equipment.

Taylor as Vasco De Gama for a school project...he says his classmates were calling him Santa claus-so much for my beard making skills.

We got to watch my nephews while his parents were away for a week. This little cutie was MAD at me, so we distracted him with a rocking chair his size.  Oh how I wish distraction still worked!!!!

A typical scene at our house-everyone is comfy and not doing much!

This what your face looks like when you eat a sour head, just in case you were ever wondering what your face looks like when eating something so sour it makes your tongue hurt.

Managed to get these issues done on time!