Things For Which to Give Thanks

Tonight my father-in-law used the word "Gynocological" in a sentence.  Just dwell on that for a moment - it was disturbing for me as well. 

Anyway, gobble gobble friends.  We are glad for the giving of the thanks and a week off from normal life - but I am also ready to admit that it's going to be nice to get into the swing of the holidays.  My house is decorated, the tree is trimmed and we've made our first batch of cookies.  yee haw - it's Christmas. 

The Thanksgiving holiday started with a bang at the annual Dobson family (and many MANY others) Thanksgiving.  There were 50 in attendance this year.  After the madness, which included a rather large kitchen fire which spiced up the evening - thank goodness the sweet potatoes were saved in the trauma.  

My Daddy and my girl's Daddy... ready for the feast.

Spending some time with Paw Paw

The crew from Crestwood Christian Church.  How funny!

The next morning, we stayed in our pajamas for the entire day.  The men left (mine went to run and see the James Bond movie - the others went to kill woodland creatures) and the women (both big and small) watched the parade, dog show, looked through circulars and shopped online.  We did go to Walmart for a re-con mission Thanksgiving evening - but I remained in my pjs for the trip. 

Checking the online ads on Thanksgiving morning.  

Watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

Precious - couldn't resist putting this in here.

At 5:15 am (yep, AM) on Friday, we headed out for the annual shopping trip.  12 hours later and finished with all my shopping (including for my angels from work) we stopped at Jim N Nicks for dinner - YUM.  And I headed home. 

12 hours of shopping... done!

So glad to add Marsi this year to our crew... she is my other sister after-all

Saturday morning, we decorated the tree... made a run to Publix and cooked for the gathering at our house to watch UA stomp AU into the ground - I mean, come-on... before you get mad - isn't 36 - 0 a stomping? ROLL TIDE!  I'm so glad that I don't have to endure another year of obnoxious behavior.  Praise the Lord.... on many fronts - a good weekend for all. 

And then there was game-day.  Anne Bailey had a sticker like the other kiddos.

Can I get a Roll Tide from the under 12 crew?

One of Those Kind of Weeks

It's been a good week - although "one of those" as well. I think this picture best illustrates my life (our life) in one photographic image. 

A great blessing has been that I've had a lot of Shrimp and Grits orders lately - but I'm happy to say that they are all finished, so bring on more.  The blessing in that is I've made enough to be able to afford Christmas.  I say that jokingly, but the reality of a ministry job (although definitely my calling) has set in and it's tight... which I know that it's tight for everyone, right? Anyway, I've been sewing A LOT... but not without drama.  Monday, as I was sewing (and holding Anne Bailey), I managed to run my hand under the needle of my machine while it was going.  A trip to the emergency room later and I walked out with a tetnus shot and a wicked bandage.  No sutures but a lot to talk about.  I learned that lesson. 

I'm also working my regular job and a couple of others that I've picked up along the way.  John's job has definitely not slowed down and while he did take the week off, he spent yesterday in the office - sigh. 

The girls have spent a normal week so far, but are getting excited about the cousins coming tonight for the holiday.  I'm also getting pumped about the annual shopping day on Friday and have been looking online to check prices, etc. so that we don't get caught up in the craziness and come home with 5 crock pots just because I think they are a good deal (I still have a couple of those actually). 

Our good friend Brian did come over to take photos of the family Monday and that was a great time.  I can't wait to get the pictures.  Brian is so SOOOOO talented and I love his eye and the pictures he's shot before... if you are looking for a photographer, he is well WELL worth the money. 

And then there's beer... I've found myself craving it this week. Problem?  I think not. Gobble Gobble.

Two Full Weeks of .... Nothing, Really

It feels like the past two weeks have been crazy, but when I look back on my past two weeks with the girls - there's really nothing significant to point to.  Well, not that I don't think that time spent with my kiddos and at work isn't significant, but it really seems crazy that I don't have a treatise or some amazing creation to show for it. 

Here are some pictures from the past two weeks!  Enjoy.

Is that a bucket head or...

It's Anne Bailey!

Our most favorite past time - cleaning.

Running with Daddy... in the cool, really COLD, air.

We headed over to the Trimms for some time with the gang.  Ellabee greatly enjoyed running Capp around the parking lot.

John and I did get to go to a ballgame, afterall.  Thanks Kev and Laurie for the hookup with tickets to the Miss State game - can I get a Roll Tide?

Riding the birthday party circuit - we celebrated Andrew's upcoming 3rd on December 26th 

John scaled the storage shed for kicks and giggles.

A Birthday Party and a Black Tie Event, All In One Day

November brought a big weekend of excitement in the Home of Stone.  We started with the Halloween Party the night before and then Ellabee and I were invited to Maisy's 3rd birthday party.  Finally, John and I had the Children's Hospital gala that night. A fun time was had by all.  That, coupled with a good Homecoming game at UA and a great game between Ole Miss and Auburn as well as the upset of Texas in the UT v. Texas Tech game... well, can I get a Roll Tide Roll?

Maisey was the big birthday princess celebrating 3 Years Old!

Like little birds waiting to be fed.

On Guard!  The games began quickly once we arrived.

And just like that they were done.

Time for the gala!

All Hallows Eve

This year, we decided to not travel outside of our community but celebrate one of the great things about Halloween.  It's one of the only times in the modern age when we come out of our homes and actually see our neighbors ... so we decided to stick at home and not head over the mountain to Vestavia.  It was GREAT fun!  The only blight on the night was an incident with Taco Soup that had a few of our guests with issues the next day (the beans didn't get done after 24 hours of soaking AND cooking for 6 hours - what's that about?). 

It really was fun and something we'll definitely do it again!  Holiday Party watching a movie in the front yard anyone? 

Getting ready for the big night.

The Bumble Bee was not buzzingly happy!

Mommy and her little poodle

SInce not otherwise engaged (with the birth of the much anticipated baby - GRRRR) the Hunters dropped by for a visit.

Mommy and her little Angel and Poodle.

Getting treats!

Check out the amount of trick or treaters we had!!!

And at the end of it all, Ding Dong the Witch was Dead!

Fall at the Bay

John and I decided pretty much last minute on Thursday that we were going to head South to the Bay for the weekend.  While it was pretty cold, the girls did actually dip a toe or two or their entire bodies into the water... for a few minutes.  The majority of the weekend was spent on Football.  Friday night - discussing Auburn's loss. Saturday - at the boys' ballgames and Saturday night - watching the Tide stomp the Vols. ROLL TIDE.

It was very nice to get away from the Ham for the weekend.  While John and I were connected with our phones, we were away from being able to do anything other than sit back, enjoy our family and take care of the girls.  John got some good running in and I was able to spend some time with my sister and mom.  We're back - refreshed and wondering when we can go back. 

Aunt Amy took some of the keeper duties during Chancellor's game so that we could watch him play.

Ellabee and her favorite (well one of her favorites) ball player.  Chancellor - the wide receiver.

Anne Bailey enjoyed being outside at the ball park.

Funny how nervous Daddy and Emery were during the game.  Chancellor and Ellabee joined them on the fence line to watch Garrison - the outside strong side linebacker who had a sack during the game.

Spending time with Daddy. 

Garrison's in there some-where.

Paw Paw and his girls on the Miss Ellabee Anne.

Ellabee got in Paw Paw's waiters... or is it weighters?

The whole fam turned our attention to Knoxville Saturday night.

The modern day family - communicating via iPhone and Treo.  Notice even my mom is on the iPhone.

Anne Bailey

Couldn't Resist!