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Sunday, November 27, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

Whew... we've had a busy and fun filled Thanksgiving weekend. We're already embracing the wonders of the season and creating traditions and memories for years to come. Teri and I are especially excited for this Christmas since it's the first one that Vin actually "gets". And speaking of the word actually, Vin is now using it on a regular basis saying things like, "Well Mom, I actually wanted pancakes for breakfast." He sounds so grown up. And just now as I was typing this he said, "Actually I want a minorah for Christmas." What????

So back to the holiday, we went to Teri's brother's in-laws for Thanksgiving and had a great time. Vin has an 8 year old cousin who he just loves. They played all day together and "actually" Teri's brother is expecting their second baby just two weeks before us. The meal was lovely and we had a set table with the good china,  real silver, great food and good company.
Vin and cousin Grayson
The crazy cupcakes I made to look like Thanksgiving dinner.


The whole meal.

Tree Hunting
We went to Yesterland Farm in Canton to cut our own tree. They advertised a kiddie wonderland with rides and games and they delivered. They had about 10 rides for kids 32" to 45" tall and fair food, games, Santa and trees. I highly recommend this place, we'll be going here every year for our tree.
My little corn eaters, on the cob and "kettled" in a bag.

At the water pump duck races.

At the water pump duck races.

Cutie on a ride.


Kicking Off the Household Christmas
Cutting and pasting pictures for his Santa letter.


Decorating



The finished tree and a quick note about the lights... Patty set the motherhood bar high, I mean real high in lots of areas but none higher than the Christmas tree lights. When we were kids our living room ceiling allowed for a 12 foot live tree and Patty did it up. Her light philosophy is to string each branch from truck to tip and work your way around. Do you know how long this takes and how many strands of lights??? Too much and too many that's how much but man it makes a pretty tree!
Fireworks
At Fair Park for the Dallas tree lighting and Fireworks set to Christmas Carols.

Teri, Vin and Zen bundled up and watching the show.

And to wrap up the weekend we went to Church where Vin won this stuffed reindeer playing an Advent quiz game. Oh. One more thing... We to see the Muppets and they were AWESOME!

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Teri's Birthday Weekend

This past weekend we celebrated Teri’s 35 birthday. I have to say it was one of the funnest parties we’ve ever thrown. We invited a few friends on Tuesday which meant it was short notice and therefore a smaller gathering than most we have. Although Audie did laugh at me and told me 16 adults and 6 children was not a small party.

I think it was the quick timing that made it so fun. The thing about Teri and I is that we can throw together a party in no time. We’ve done it for so many years that there’s an unspoken and natural unfolding of the chores and the “to dos”. I usually take to the kitchen early if I’m preparing anything, in this case the cake, so I’m out of the way when Teri gets in. Then Teri will cook a good part of the day and I’ll do things like clean and hang lights etc. When the guests start arriving Teri is usually still in the kitchen and everyone gathers around the bar to talk while she finishes. Here she is really in her element, relaxed, creating, making our mouths water.

On Saturday, we ate Teri’s delicious food, talked, laughed, danced, played jenga and took a few tequila shots (just for good measure… they were small). The children played & played in the backyard for hours and I think that was my favorite part. Children playing, adults socializing during a lovely fall evening… just perfect!

The next day Wendy and I even managed to sneak in a movie while Teri and Derek played in the kitchen. Needless to say we all ate well and it’s worth including the menu here.

Saturday Night:
Spinach Dip with Cheese Straws
Chicken Gruyere Gratin with Dijon cream sauce – affectionately named “Double Chin Chicken” by Erin
Creamy Polenta with Marsala Mushrooms
Homemade Caesar Salad with rustic garlic croutons.
Vanilla Bean Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce
Sweet Imaginations sugar cookies

Sunday Night:
Asian Spice Ribs
Coconut Ginger Noodles with peanut & cilantro garnish
Pork Pot Stickers with Ginger Wasabi Soy Sauce
Chinese Green Beans










Wednesday, November 16, 2011

We Have News!!!!!!!


So our plan was to wait to until the birth to find out the sex of the baby, but we totally caved and changed our minds about 15 hours before the sonogram.
Here's Teri discussing the news with Vin...



And here's Vin sharing the news with you...