Ice Storm

A week after Thanksgiving, we had a huge ice storm. Wayne and I went to Nashville for his Christmas party the Monday after Thanksgiving, got back on Wednesday, and the ice came Thursday night. Since we had Thanksgiving and the party back to back, I hadn't put any of my Christmas decorations put yet, so as soon as we got back, I went straight into decorating mode. Nathan and Charlotte really wanted lights outside so I thought I better do that first before the storm starts. I got two trees done and half of the sidewalk lights done, and then I thought I was going to freeze to death! I had the best intentions of finishing the lights the next morning, but once the ice started the night before, it didn't stop! 

School was cancelled Friday and Monday. And Nathan and Charlotte had so much fun spending 4 days slipping and sliding outside. We went sledding at the school with the other kids every day! It was really nice to have 4 days just to play and stay inside.  I did get all of my decorating done except for the rest of the lights. Oh well. 

Happy Birthday Mama

Not only did we celebrate Thanksgiving, we also celebrated Mama's 70th birthday and Alexandra's 17th. Mama, you are a young 70 year old, and I just can't believe Alexandra is 17! I remember when we were younger, Mom said she was 45 for the longest time. Carrie, Jen, and I planned a girl's day for Mama and then a surprise that night. The Friday after Thanksgiving, all the girls (including Charlotte and Alexandra) drove to Canton for the once a month craft fair. I've been before with mom, and we had so much fun. I knew Carrie and Jen would love it. Plus, with it being right before Christmas, they had so many cute Christmas decorations. We spent the day walking around, shopping, and eating and then headed home. While we were gone, the guys were home getting dinner ready for us. Wayne, Nathan, Chris, and Pearce went over to Mom and Dad's house that afternoon to watch the Arkansas game, cook dinner, and set up our special surprise. Dad set up the old movies, projector, and screen. We also had movie decorations that we put the guys in charge of. The whole idea was that we were going to go home, eat a great steak dinner, cake, open presents and then have a "movie" night complete with popcorn and cokes. But poor Mama was so sick on this day! She and Wayne started to get sick the night before, and then it really hit them both on Friday and got worse as the day and night went on. As we were eating dinner, we could just tell that Mom felt really bad. She was good at making everyone thing she didn't feel bad though. 

We had cake and opened presents. Alexandra got a cute James Avery ring, money, and 2 movies. Mom got a new charm for her James Avery bracelet, a Chico's gift card, AND...a trip to Hawaii from Papa! We all teased Dad by acting like we were all going on the trip. There's a picture of Wayne giving Daddy a high five! It was so funny! But no, we're not going...just the two of them. Darn.

After presents, we watched a few old movies of when we were little. It was really fun, and Charlotte and Nathan got a kick out of seeing me as a baby and little girl. And Alexandra and Robert got to see Jen playing basketball when she was 9 or 10. Plus they all had fun making shadow shapes in front of the projector. We just watched a few movies and then made mom go to bed while we cleaned up. We'll have to do movie night again to watch the rest. Happy Birthday to Mama and Alexandra. We all love you both very much!

Happy Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving lunch was at our house and we had lots of guests! Jen, Alexandra and Robert; Carrie, Chris, and Pearce; Helen, Mom and Dad, and Grandma...oh and Otis too (Daisy was at doggie daycare enjoying her own turkey lunch). Getting all of the food prepared could be stressful, but everyone pitched in. Helen brought a broccoli salad (my favorite) and a corn casserole. Mom brought the stuffing, sweet potato casserole, and pies, and Carrie helped me make the mashed potatoes (which we did the night before and they were still great heated up the next day! That was a huge time saver!) And I roasted a 20 lb turkey! I always worry that I'm going to screw up the staple of thanksgiving, but I never do! It was great. I was thankful that I thought enough ahead of time about how long it would take to defrost a 20 lb bird. I thought of that Sunday night, Butterball.com said 4 days, so I rushed right out and got one. It's a good thing I got it Sunday night! The one thing that frazzled me a bit was that I estimated that the turkey would take 4 hours to cook...it was done in 3! So I'll remember that for next year. Charlotte was Auntie Carrie's helper when it came to setting the table. And Nathan was Pearce's entertainment. It is the funniest thing to see Nathan and Charlotte with Pearce. They are partly silly with him and partly grown up. They try to be little parents. And Pearce just adores them! He laughs and laughs at both of them...well, more so at Nathan. Charlotte has to work a little harder. Pretty soon, they've turned it into a competition on who can make Pearce laugh more.

Nathan was also so excited to see Robert and Alexandra. They got here late Tuesday night, so I told Nathan that he would see them Wednesday around lunch time. Mama and Jen were going to pick up Nathan and take him and Robert to the Perot Museum. Alexandra and Charlotte were going to stay here with me and hang out while waiting on Chris and Carrie. So Nathan woke up bright and early Wednesday morning. He asked me over and over if they were here yet. After fixing him breakfast, I reminded him that they were going to get here right after lunch. I told him that since he woke up so early, it's going to seem like a long time. 10 minutes after eating his breakfast, he rubbed his stomach and said, "Man, I'm hungry. I think I'm ready for lunch." My sweet boy thought if he went ahead and ate lunch, they'd be here! So funny!

I have also put off my Christmas card pictures way too long! So Carrie helped me take a few pics of Nathan and Charlotte that turned out really cute. Nathan was quite the poser. They both did such a good job until Nathan tried a new pose on the rock wall and fell off into the mud, and that was the end of that. Luckily, I got some cute ones.

Nathan's Thanksgiving Feast

Nathan's class had a Thanksgiving feast at lunch and Charlotte and I joined him. The kids made their Native American shirts, headdresses, necklaces, and chose Native American names. Nathan was Roaring Bear.