Thanksgiving 2011

For Thanksgiving this year our family traveled to my hometown of Sarasota, FL, to visit with my parents.  In the past 21 years of my life I have only made Thanksgiving dinner twice.  I know.  I'm spoiled!!  For years we had my brother down the road or visited with my parents.  Next year I plan to do it up at home!  (Just so you know.)  My younger brother, Jamie, came and spent two nights with us, as well.  We all really enjoyed his company!  While we were there we visited one of our favorite places, Mote Marine Laboratory.  Here are some photos from our visit...

Me, Jamie, and my Dad frying the turkey

Dan and Max get friendly with sea life at Mote

Goofing around at home

What Joshua did while we ate Thanksgiving Dinner...

Saying "hello" to Mr. Shark!

Love this one of Buffet looking at Eden & Tommy!

Tommy with "Squishy" the Loggerhead Turtle

Jamie

Recently, Jamie (17), came for a month-long visit.  We had a good time together.  A few of the things we enjoyed this month were Moe's, coffee, BBQ, pizza, church, music, and friends.  Jamie really brightens up my life when he's around.  Here are some pictures from his visit...

Goofing around with big brother

6 of my great kids!

Jamie on Dylan's shoulders trying to get a picture of the group.

Pizza with Joshua (& Mom) at Villaggio's

I will miss you over the next 5 months...  And I love you, Jamie!

Bat Festival

I love this picture because it has the 5 youngest in it and Grandpa is in the background. Joshua did not want to touch that alligator! A gator at a bat festival... That's Florida for you!

This bat was thinking, "I vant to suck your blood." No, it's a fruit bat!

I took these pictures at the Lubee Bat Festival last weekend. It was the one day where everyone was well. The kids enjoyed the bats, but I think they enjoyed lunch at a buffet with Grandpa more!

Dudley Farm Visit

Eden grinds some corn for the chickens.

Dan and Tommy have a "hay" photo op!

We all got a chance to pump water.

Here's Joshua at the general store... He's so cute!

Mom using the wringer--glad we don't have to do laundry this way anymore!

Dan 11, Tommy 6, Eden 4, and Joshua 2.5

Today was one of those days I decided to mix things up and go out for some fun. After homeschooling this morning, we packed ourselves up and headed out for a picnic at Dudley Farm. Unfortunately, Max was with his Dad at work, so it was just Dan, Tommy, Eden, Joshua, and me. (Jamie and Celeste were both in class.) We had a great time! The kids were able to grind corn, feed it to the chickens, operate the pump to get water, and run an old-time wringer. I'm glad I don't have to do laundry that way!! We even saw a big turkey! I think this is something we need to do more often. The farm has docents who dress in period garb and there is a cane festival the 1st Saturday in December. We usually go to that! Since Max missed going with us, we may go visit next week, too. We hope to get a family picture at the farm soon, so be looking for that.

A Visit to the Pumpkin Patch

Joshua--Looks like trouble...
Pumpkin Patch Max

Eden--pumpkin sitting

Mommy and Joshua (What a cute smile!)

Dan and Tommy--Love this one!

My Cute Tommy

Me with my 5 littlest pumpkins

A Recent Trip to Siesta

I just got back last night from a 2-day trip to visit my parents in Sarasota. Celeste (17) and I went to Siesta Key Beach, out on the boat, and to Philippi Creek Restaurant. It is Celeste's spring break and I needed a little respite. It was fun, but I am glad to be home again!

Tuesday

Up early this morning...try 2:15 to feed Joshua. Well, I had a full night's sleep the night before, so I'll try not to be bitter! Dan, Max, and Tommy are attending VBS at Family Church this week so they are having fun right now. I'm learning to work around a toddler and baby in the mornings. It sure is quiet!! That was a surprise. This afternoon we're going to have a picnic lunch with my friends Charity, LaDawn, and their kids. Then we're off to the Natural History Museum to see the butterflies, the cave, and the discovery room. It's going to be a fun day!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. I hope yours is a very blessed day with family and friends! We are meeting at my older brother's (Ed) home which is closeby. It will by my whole family (including my little brother, Jamie, who I hardly get to see), my sister-in-law's family, and Stu's parents. Ed is moving to Dallas in the spring, so we thought we'd do this special. I'm looking forward to a fun day. Now I need to get cooking and cleaning!

We had some outside fun on Saturday. Stu and I got new sprinklers from Home Depot. The kids wanted to play in them...ALL the kids! They had fun and the dog (Jack Russell Terrier named Chipper) even had a good time! Here's Eden waiting for me to feed her. So cute!

The Real Deal

Dan had his first baseball game on Saturday and here are a couple photos of the fun! They lost, but we all had a great time!