Thanksgiving Week - 2009

Our Thanksgiving day was the biggest family gathering we have had ....maybe ever. All of our kids and their kids, son-in laws and mom. Only missing Carol J (David's girlfriend) and Ilga who was in the hospital due to a stroke. But fortunately she is doing quite well and we brought her leftovers on Saturday which she thoroughly enjoyed....including BOTH pies (apple and pumpkin that mom made). We are truly blessed!

The back porch was perfect for the grandkids to play - it was a gorgeous cool day (mom's on the phone with Ginny). Sharing is a tough concept for a 2 year old, but the girls were so cute together. Karington even took 4-5 steps while we watched....she's walking!! Kyle and Ivan are great dads - to all kids!!

David was being taught the ropes here on how to read a book....Allison is quite the teacher :-)

Jacob is the incredibly cute and mellow fellow - he just grins and watches...but don't ever leave him out of the action - have to make sure he can see everyone and he's happy.

We spent 2 days at Disney - first visit for the 3 kids. Allie was familiar with Pooh and Tigger and was enamoured with them! We waited in line for this photo and she kept walking up and trying to see them along with other families (before our turn) -- pretty cute! On the 2nd day Kyle joined us which was extra fun (and helpful wrangling kids and strollers off/on trams, etc). Just a fabulous day!We took about 250 photos during the week on my camera and more on Kristin's and Jenna's - so these 6 show just a bit of all the wonderful experiences. Lots of toys and clutter and noise -- LOVED it. What a great family.

Nobles visit Nov 8, 09

Kristin, Kyle and Karington were here for the afternoon. Mom and Ilga joined us for a cookout. Karington at 10 months is too little for steak, but she loved her first taste of ice cream!! Opa....always funny.... :-)
She's so good at crawling and the sandy pavers outside on the porch were taking a toll on her knees and the tops of her feet. So how about Gramma's socks? Not so stylish, but hey - it worked.

Dance, dance, dance - Oct 25 and Nov 1, 2009

All of the dancers LOVE "So You Think You Can Dance" so Christine, Wendy, and I drove over to Tampa to see the concert - the top 12 dancers from last season performing live. WOW - so fun!!

For All Saints Sunday, we honored all members that had passed away within the past year with a New Orleans style jazz funeral processional. I was hesitant that this would be the right thing...dancing with umbrellas, but it worked out really well. Blurry ....but kind of cool....captures the essence of the movement.

And then the week before, we danced one of my favorite pieces - "City Called Heaven" which is very melancholy and sad. About people (slaves) that had such a difficult life that only heaven promised a happy place for them.