gobble gobble

Hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! This one was a little bittersweet. I received news late Wednesday night that my cousin, my mom's first cousin, passed away. She was only 55 years old. Close to my mom's age. That is not a good feeling. I had been upset Wednesday thinking about how Thanksgiving was before I was married. I remembered the burn n serve rolls (aka brown n serve rolls) that my grandma always made. The dressing that my family makes. We always had to make 2 green bean casseroles because the first one was always eaten before the actual dinner took place. (I have NO IDEA who did that, none whatsoever) So to find out about Aunt Debbie was just par for the course. (yes, we called her Aunt Debbie, actually more like Ain't Debbie-just a southern thing I guess)

Thursday was us deciding if Elliot and I would be going to my mother in laws house. Elliot has been stuffed up for a day or so and I didn't want to bring him out and around others. But my mother in law insisted. And I felt bad about it. There was only one of Kevin's siblings going to the in laws, so she was already upset. So we went. I'm glad we did. It was really nice. Tim and Kerri brought a bounce house and by the kids reactions, all was right with the world!

And the static electricity makes Gabe look sorta spikey.

There was lots of running around and riding bikes too. We love that Grammy lives in a cul de sac.
There was lots of playing with our family and making Christmas decorations.

I managed to capture the a rare site on camera. I am disappointed at the overall photo, but to have captured it at all is a great accomplishment that i am very proud of!!!
The elusive teenager!! The only proof that Austin was actually at Thanksgiving. This was also the first holiday since his dad passed away. It's a little different than most because he didn't know his dad. But he is very close to his dad's sister now and it was very rough for her. Friday was also Vinnie's birthday, again the first since his death. Austin spent Friday with them. That was tough for me, because I am not used to him splitting the holiday time with anyone. But I was already so sentimental after Debbie's death, I could understand why Renee needed Austin. Besides, I can't imagine losing my sibling. That's just awful.

We had a fantastic dinner and lots of family time. Fun was had by all!

Lazy Day

We are sitting here enjoying a wonderful, though rare, lazy day. It's wonderful! No cooking dinner (have lots of leftovers), no school or work tomorrow...just lazy. These are actually very rare in our house, with 4 kids you can't sit around a whole lot.

So yesterday we were off the computer for a lot of the day. We stayed upstairs putting clothes up and washing a few more. Gabe loves when we play upstairs-that's 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and the hallway! He can drag some toys out in those areas. And Lord help you if you don't watch him the whole time. I went down to get us drinks and a snack and I was greeted by this.


I recently moved the games to this cabinet. They were previously in a closet in an area they couldn't reach. Then I did that. Stupid, I know. But in my defense, I moved all my photography stuff to the closet, which is downstairs. It actually makes better sense. Except on days like these.

When Gabe is so proud.
Then he did this
Yes, that is my bracelet he is wearing. Another perk to being upstairs...mommy's jewelry box. One of his favorite toys. So much so that it had to be moved into the toilet area so he wouldn't always get in it!! lol Oh and I got in some serious trouble when I moved that horse back out into the hallway. You know those "angry, scorned women"? They are NOTHING compared to my pissed off 2 yr old. Lemme tell ya!

Remember those leftovers I was telling you about? Well I have been cooking up a storm this week. Mostly from the Pioneer Woman's book. I made her Comfort/BBQ Meatballs and her Mashed potatoes. huge hit! big!!

Then last night there was Marlboro Man's Fav Sammy and her Onion Strings. This is what we have been eating all week and tonight. it has been F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S. around here!! And I feel good about cooking such good stuff!

And because it's Thanksgiving, here's one of my lil man's having his turkey parade at school!!! Gooble Gooble!!

I need to focus on my blogging...

ok, so I suck at bloggin. shut it Jenn!! (I know you are a follower and will get updated because I am actually *gasp* bloggin! You moved, so you can't say anything! hhhmmmpphhh!! but you better come Dec 5th!) I really want to blog though. I think about it all the time, don't you know that? oh wait, I gotta blog for you to know that huh? darn it.

I especially need to keep up with it to show my photography to people that may not walk in my house and search my files for all my photos. Because that's where I keep them. It does so much good!!! But we are on a new venture to get my name out there and to get more practice for my photography. Kevin is pretty sure people would pay for me to shoot them, I disagree. I feel guilty if they ask how much and I actually give a price. Like I am Olan Mills or something! lol Then talk about huge guilt when they compare me to those places that have initials like PP and PI that can give you your photos in 15 minutes!! And they are way cheaper than mine! It's like Dodge vs Mercedes. I am neither, more along the lines of a 72 Pinto. But since my baby making days are over, I need to bring something to this household. Cleaning ain't happening. Hey, maybe I will make enough to hire someone?!! oh wow....the possibilities. What a dream come true! (hey the economy needs all the jobs they can get, right?!)

So anyway, right now I have one photo on my business card


But dang it's a cute photo!!! (this is my big Elliot)

So I promise to add my photos! Maybe i will be good enough to have a blog like PW (Pioneer Woman, aka Ree Drummond-yeah-AS IF!!!), but her photo layouts are the way to go! I love the amount of photos she has. I am having a hard time getting them in the right spot though. Any tips? I do my typing, add the photo, it pops up at the top, so I have to cut and paste it where I want it to go. Is that how it goes? oh well, till you tell me different, that's how it goes for me!!!

Do you have a fav blog? Like Rita's Coffeeshop (free photoshop stuff!!) or like Farrah's (I admit I stalk hers because her little C was born the day after my Elliot was born!) or how about Erin's
she is who I stalk on a daily basis really, I am just an internet stalker, nothing serious. Oh yeah and don't forget The Creative Junkie, seriously she is a RIOT!! So check out some of my favs and share yours! I really don't expect anything. I have one follower, and I think she and I follow close to the same people. But whatever.

oh yeah, and since I am really excited about me actually cooking things that require more than opening a box, I will share. They are usually pretty simple! I like things like that. If they require more than simple, well they usually don't happen. It's just how it is. No apologies. So last night I used PW's (see link 2 paragraphs above) cookbook. If you don't have it, get it! What else will she sign when you go meet her? what? you weren't going to meet her?! WHY???!!! I am-December 5th!!! Here in Houston! I can't wait. Maybe she will bring that delicious cowboy of hers....probably safer if she didn't. Texan women love some cowboys, especially real ones, not the fake ones we have here who work in downtown Houston, but claim cowboy on the weekend. Come here MM, I have some candy....wink, wink

ok, anyway...I made her Penne a la Betsy (which is her way of saying shrimp pasta) It was really good! Added a side of sauted asparagus tips (Sam's favorite) and it was a night! I doubled the recipe because, well let's face it, 3 guys eating at my table, one recipe isn't enough, so I always double. This makes A LOT doubled!!!

Ok, I think that was a pretty good post! Good timing, cause Elliot's hungry and I can't type with two hands and a baby on the boobie! (or should it be bubbie after the Jersey housewife?! hehehe)

BYE!!!