Thankful!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Yesterday afternoon we brought our crew to Bellefontaine to join forces with their cousins. There was lots of excitement, chatter and plenty of playing before bedtime. Today it was all about the Turkey and Thank Yous. Christy & Kris worked super hard to make a delicious meal for all of us - which believe me, we all thoroughly enjoyed!  (Andrew too, he's just hiding at the end of the table in the picture!)

After dinner and a lot of inside playing the kids (primarily Nora) convinced us to let them outside to play in the chill. They immediately piled in the trampoline and Lincoln was just as entertained watching the kids (and Kyle) bounce around as they were, chattering and giggling at them from the kitchen window. It has been a very Happy Thanksgiving here and I hope it's been the same for you!!

Wild Things at Wild Lights

Back in Ohio! We flew into Columbus this afternoon and Kristin scooped us up, and we all headed to the zoo for zoo lights. Keaton and Nora snuggled up in the wagon and Bexley and Lincoln were stroller buddies. While the bigs seemed to have a blast checking out the lights, dancing to music and enjoying the chilly night, Lincoln was less than enthused with the entire outing. We're looking forward to a fun weekend with lots of family!!

Probably Like Prom

Check us out!! Kyle and I had a Gala tonight...aren't we fancy!?!?! Florida Hospital hosted their Golden Gala this evening and Kyle's company had a table, turns out we made the cut and got to go!! It was a lot of fun to get all dressed up, we ate super tasty fancy food and best (but weirdest part) we sat, somewhat (and much too, if you ask me) calmly, and enjoyed the upbeat musical stylings of Rascal Flatts. They tried so hard to get everyone up and dancing, or something, anything, but it just wasn't happening. I was in awe of the steely resolve of the masses. I can't comment too much though, I wasn't up and pulling people out of their seats (despite my oh so strong desire to do so!). Anyway, it was a very fun night out, made possible by the babysitting generosity of Jessica. Next up in our whirlwind...packing and kicking off the HOLIDAYS!!!!! WOOHOO!!

We Put the Fun in...

FAMILY...what did you think I was going to say??? Why not get everyone together some more today!? Game watch at B-dubs, why yes! (After a quick stop at Kelsey Elizabeth Cakes of course). A quick break after the game and it was time for Lady & Grumps to manage the kiddos so we could head to "cousins night". Cousins night has become sort of a tradition born out of unfortunate circumstances. A lot of us are spread all over and although many do make it in for the holidays, lets be honest, the holidays are nuts and there isn't much time for cousin related hooliganism on the side. So...here we find ourselves, gathered unexpectedly and fully taking advantage of the opportunity to eat, drink, giggle, catch up, drink, giggle and giggle and perhaps giggle while catching up and playing games. So much fun!!!! It was a great way to close out this part of the weekend. Tomorrow morning it's up and at 'em early to head home because the events don't stop here!

Peacefully Picture Perfect

This was how I started my day...November in Cleveland - I was in jeans, flip flops and a light long sleeve tee at the oh so calm water's edge. I didn't wake up to crying kids (well, my own anyway) and then I was able to soak up some serenity down by the lake - we'll gloss over the fact that the sun has moved so much that you can't actually see the sunrise over the lake from this spot anymore...oh well! After this zen and beautiful beginning it came time for the hard part of the day, saying our final farewells to one of the true givers in our family. My Aunt Jeannie was the person who was always doing or offering to do things, so often so that you didn't even really notice she was doing the doing sometimes. I'm sure we'll notice now when the doing isn't getting done - and when their aren't Guinness cupcakes at St. Paddy's or Eve of the Eve, or distinctive loud giggles coming from a corner of the room and countless other moments! As hard as parts of today were though, there again, were moments that you could sense how OK everything would be and the level of gorgeousness of the 74˚ fall day that was the backdrop to it all can't even be described. After the funeral service at the church, when everyone gathered at the cemetery, I couldn't help but notice how "picture perfect" the scene was. Somber yes, but breathtaking too...the sun, the colors, the number of people and the palpable amount of love. My mom encouraged me to take a few pictures, and while I didn't capture the image I REALLY wanted to and had envisioned for fear of being too conspicuous or offending anyone (not everyone sees the world in snapshots or would agree with the appropriateness of capturing grief, however beautiful, on camera) I think this sums up the scene well enough. (And hopefully my sharing it doesn't offend anyone either)

We lingered a bit and then left to gather again and celebrate with a tasty lunch and of course some laughs that will lighten the memories of the day for a long time to come. With the official aspect of the weekend's celebrations closed we headed back to Bay. With a house full of a kids a yard full leaves and crazy warm temps, there's really only one option...

The three kiddos got to have a blast, I got to do what I love, and take pictures of it and then we went for a wagon walk around the block to test out Lincoln & Bexley's new wheels. The night was closed off with some more family time at my Aunt Ann's where we all got together in attempts to put a dent in the immense amount of food that was so generously given to our family. This sad weekend really is filling up with a lot of happy - I don't think Jean would have had it any other way if she were here.

Where There's Smoke

This afternoon Kyle stopped home from work, loaded us up and dropped me off at the airport. I headed to Ohio for a few days and the kiddos and Kyle stayed behind on this one. With Lincoln still in pretty sad shape, Nora just recovered, Kyle having been out of the office Mon, Tues & Weds and another trip booked for over Thanksgiving, we thought it best that this short notice in and out to say goodbye to my Aunt Jeannie might be better left for just me. After ensuring I wasn't just going for kicks and leaving her out, Nora gave her blessing and I think she'll have a lot of fun with the boys this weekend. Tim and my cousin Anne were waiting for me at the airport when I landed and we hustled to the wake to share in lots of hugs, memories, seeing family we don't see that often (great except that it was for the reason you don't want to see them!)and I'm pretty sure we all ate a few feelings in the form of the famous "Mrs. Fox Cookies". One bright spot (aside from the cookies), all the adorable littles...minus my own of course - hehe! It was so fun to watch them all run around and interact (to the extent that littles do). A semi full house in Bay tonight is proving to be a good warm-up for Christmas. OH and the picture - it was a super clear flying day and as we flew over the mountains you could very vividly see the wild fires burning - flames and all. My phone camera doesn't do it justice but the sight and the smoke plume were pretty impressive!

At Peace

While our Super Moon outing the other night was unsuccessful, Kyle was able to see it from his vantage point in Georgia. Looks like a peaceful place to see this last of it's kind for a while. Last night was a long one (or short one, depending on how you look at it). I got a call at about 10:30 that my Aunt Jeannie had been taken to the hospital due to a brain bleed. As the night progressed it became clearer that her condition was worsening and by about 3:30am word came that her body had gone through too much and she didn't survive. For those that don't know, my Aunt Jeannie was my mom's youngest sister and was someone I can most accurately describe as a giver. The chain of events leading to her making it to the hospital are all quite astounding and I'm so happy that she had someone with her, made it to the hospital but also that her family had the opportunity to make it to her side and be there for and with her and to say goodbye. As sad as we all are about losing her, I'm sure there are some interesting conversations going on as a sooner than expected reunion is taking place between her and my grandma, grandpa...and the other oldies who she was such an important person to. Perhaps they found themselves in need of a driver. It makes me smile to imagine the scene. I'm sure the rest of this week will be filled with ups, downs, plenty of plan putting together and hopefully a little bit of catch up sleep for everyone.