Much to be Thankful for!

Had a great Thanksgiving.  Art and Karen drove down to celebrate with us.  It was really a very quiet day, which is actually the best kind.  I got a 5 mile run in, then walked the dogs for 3 miles, so I was feeling pretty smug when it came time for dinner.

We had 3 new recipes to try out - 2 were successes.  Brenna made Glazed Carrots with candied pecans (success), I did a two tone potatoes (sweet and regular) - it was okay, but not a keeper and then the best…I made a caramelized onion and corn bread dressing… SOOOOO good!  Probably my favorite part of the whole dinner!  Even Zack ate it and liked it!!  Definitely a new tradition!  We ate like Kings and then watched The Hobbit and it was good!

Grandma prepping for Thanksgiving

Making the carrots

Checking on Tom

What a weirdo

The final touches

Add caption

King of the Drum sticks

So damn cute!

Then Friday we went downtown to see a huge Ice Sculpture display, a holiday festival and fireworks.  It was freezing cold, but we had a nice time, minus the 60 MINUTES we spent trying to get out of the parking structure when it was all over!!

All in all, it was a very nice Thanksgiving break.  We have so much to be thankful for and it's easy to loose track of all that in the craziness that our lives become.  Sometimes it's nice to stop and be reminded of that.

Art and Karen leave tomorrow.  So, does Brenna, but she'll be back in 2 weeks for winter break!!! Tomorrow I will try and catch up on everything I didn't get accomplished while we were playing. Frankly, I'm ready to get back to work so that I can relax!

Happy Birthday Extraordinaire!

This birthday was probably the best birthday I've had in a long time!!  On my birthday eve - Debbie brought me muffins so I would have them for breakfast in the morning!  Then, on my birthday morning the door bell rang at 630am and I found WARM Pumpkin chocolate muffins on the doorstep and a balloon on my light.  That Jennie Tatum is so awesome.  My friends really know me!  When I got to work, Team Library had decorated my office with streamers, signs, a tiara and even a gift.  They also had a luncheon in my honor.  Everyone was so kind, wishing me a happy day.  It was almost embarrassing the amount of attention I received.  John brought me cookies and flowers on his way to work.  Then, Brenna came home!  I actually managed to stretch my birthday for the whole weekend.  On Saturday Brenna and I went to see Thor II  - loved it!  Love me some Thor.  Then we gorged on Thai food for dinner - red curry and pad thai!  I ate until I was almost ready to puke!   Then, Sunday the whole family went to see Ender's Game.  Another good movie choice!!  I got some really cool running stuff… a dry fit, sweat wicking beanie, light up arm band to keep me safe when I run at night and then I snuck off to VA runner and ordered a new pair of shoes and bought some running pants!  SCORE!!!

BEST.BIRTHDAY.EVER!

Happy Veterans Day!

Such an amazing military tradition on my side and on John's side of the family.  So many family members who have made the choice and the sacrifice to help keep our country strong, safe and free!

John A Hall - US Navy 1942-1946 WWII

James Ramsey Horn - 1942-1946  WWII

Arthur W. Hall US Air Force 1963-1986, Vietnam

Arthur Charles Ray US Air Force

Jerome J Hyzy - US Air Force, 1984-2008

Ian M Hall, US Air Force 1996 - 

Little baby Jerome at Basic Training!

Jillian Bryant - newly minted PFC, Nov 1st, 2013 - 

Plus, I didn't have pictures handy of Uncle John E Hall, US Army - 20 years

Alex Ray - US Air Force

Chris Ray  - US Navy

What a proud tradition!