Tis the Season

The Christmas season is approaching and I just wanted to tell everyone how grateful I am for wonderful family and friends. I look at my life and believe I have been very blessed to know each of you. Life is so wonderful. There are trying moments and joyous moments and each moment gives us opportunities to serve and love or to be served and loved. Thanks for the love! Thanks for the wonderous moments!

Baby Shower for my Cousin

The above photo is of my cousin and her daughter. The last shower I went to was her's and now she helped throw this shower for her little sister. (I just have to add here that I love getting together with my aunts and cousins. There is something very awesome about family and being part of a large family).

My cousin in the red and black shirt is the reason for this celebration!

And this time I did get a photo of myself...and Mom!

There's Grandma and my cousin and her daughter...and the same baby as from above. I know that most you of you don't care about who is in the pictures...and that's okay. I do want to add that I have very talented cousins. The cousin in the gray shirt has an amazing house and one of her many talents is quilting. She makes the coolest quilts and quilts them herself.

This was a gift given by the sisters of the celebrated cousin. Luckily they let others help tie the quilt and be a part of that. I remember spending hours helping tie different quilts in the family. I loved the time listening to everyone talk and share. It's amazing the bonds and memories that are formed while tying quilts.

Thanksgiving 2009

This year for Thanksgiving we went to my parents house. It was a small gathering and lots of fun. It's been six years since I had Thanksgiving with my family. SM decided he wanted to cook the turkey. I just had to take this picture of SM and the turkey...this is before the oil was hot enough to deep fry the turkey. Somehow I missed the moment when the turkey was cooked and brought back into the house.

I just love this table decoration. I am not a very decorative person but love to see what others do for decorations. I guess that is why I felt compelled to take pictures of the decorations but you'll notice I didn't get a single photo of myself...or really any adults. Only the two youngsters!

There is something about fresh, hot rolls from the oven!

And more decorations!

We had a great meal. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, dressing, rolls, froy-eye salad, green beans with mushroom sauce, fresh cranberry salsa, fresh veggie tray, apple crisp and pumpkin pie! Thanks for all the great food and time together! What a great Thanksgiving!

(I love how my SIL does my niece's hair. She always looks so cute!)