Monday, December 1, 2014

THANKSGIVING WEEK-END WRAP UP...

Well it's Monday morning, the first of December, and our LONG week-end of family, Thanksgiving, and busy, busy times has come to an official end.  And I am definitely tired that's for sure, but soo content.  I am afraid it might take TOO long to tell all that went on, but that's the way I do it as most of you know, but I will TRY and do my best and hit just the major highlights, lol.  Mike and Mel and the boys arrived super early on Wednesday morning (around 4:30 am!) with both boys wide awake and ready to go, lol.  Mike toppled into bed as he drove all night and Melody and the boys settled in with us for lots of playing, cuddling, book reading, and visiting.  Not much more happened on this day, except for oh yeah, late in the afternoon, Melody and Mike decided to go to one of the local ultra sound places that determines the sex of the baby to find out just what they are going to have this time around.  I was surprised that they decided to do this as they were going to wait until Dec 17th when they are scheduled for their routine anatomy scan, despite my jumping up and down, begging, suggesting they might want to do this, lol.  I am not exactly the most patient person around, and curiosity was definitely getting the better of me.  They took little Sam with them, and I stayed back with a sleeping Luke.  Well, an hour and half later, Sam came in the door carrying a PINK balloon that announced IT'S A GIRL!!!

To say I was excited would be a BIG understatement, lol.  I sooo wanted Melody to have a daughter. She was of course wanting mainly a healthy baby (really goes without saying doesn't it?) but her heart's desire was for a girl too, and Mike if anything was even more desirous of that.  Sam was sure from the beginning, lol.  As many times as Melody TRIED to explain to him that the new baby might be another brother, he would tell her, "No mama, it's a girl".  lol  Soo sweet.  I'll show you the picture they announced with on Facebook and Instagram yesterday...

HOLDING THE SHIRT FROM COUSIN JESSICA'S NEW CLOTHING LINE...A GIFT FOR THEIR NEW SISTER!

Thanksgiving morning Mike and Mel went to enjoy breakfast with Mike's mom and then after naps joined us at my oldest son Joe's house for Thanksgiving dinner.  Honestly I don't know if I can say enough GOOD things about this day.  First, the weather was just GORGEOUS.  Warm, and clear, and perfect.  Then, the food....Goodness, between my daughter in law Leah and her mother I am not sure which one is a better cook.  The food was honestly some of the best I have ever had.  Her mother made her traditional Portuguese stuffing which was almost to die for.  I did eat a tiny little bit (even though I probably shouldn't have as it was not gluten free!) but I didn't regret it at all thank goodness. Then, Leah's sweet potatoes....OH MY GOODNESS....one of my all time favorite dishes to begin with, but these were especially good.  I could ask for the recipe, but honestly I have no doubt I probably shouldn't be eating those scrumptious things too soon again anyway.  The potatoes and gravy...the moist turkey...the ham....the green beans....ALL, incredible.   I did eat a little more then I should have, but honestly I just couldn't resist.  Then, her mom made several pies from scratch to chose from.  And whipped up some REAL whipped cream to go with them.  As we settled in to finish up our day with these, honestly I was just in heaven, lol.  The night was warm and we sat outside enjoying it while the kids ran around and played.  It was just one of those perfect holidays, and I enjoyed every minute.  My two middle sons joined their in-laws this year so they were definitely missed, but it was still a good day.  I'll show you a couple of pics from that day now...

LOUSY PICTURE, BUT BEAUTIFUL TABLES

PIE TABLE

THE THREE LITTLE BOYS HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME IN THIS WONDERFUL PLAY ROOM!
SAM AND CODY BECAME FAST FRIENDS

CODY PUTTING THEIR NEW RUDOLPH ORNAMENTS ON THE TREE

"POSING" FOR GRANDMA

CODY IN HIS NEW JAMMIES

AND GETTING HIS NEW PILLOW CASE.  HE WAS SOO EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND RAN AND GOT HIS PILLOW RIGHT AWAY SO WE COULD PUT IT ON, LOL

MIKE AND MELODY AND THE BOYS BEFORE THEY LEFT FOR THE DAY.  MELODY IS NOT LOOKING LIKE SHE IS ALREADY 17 WEEKS HERE, LOL
OUR GROUP SHOT....

IT WAS MY SON JOE'S 42ND BIRTHDAY ON THANKSGIVING!  HOW COULD HE POSSIBLY BE THIS OLD ALREADY!  LOVE HIM SOO MUCH!

So then it was Friday.  Mike and Melody and the boys left early to join Mike's family for the day.  So since they were going to be gone, and there was lots of football hubby wanted to watch I actually decided to brave the crowds and go to Joannes for some SUPER DUPER Black Friday day deals on fabric.  I just had to....lol.  Now that I know the sex of the baby HOW could I resist snuggle flannel being on sale for a mere 2 dollars a yard?  And some of it was only 1.50!!  My sister Diane met me there and we spent a happy almost 3 hours browsing and picking out fabric and yarn.  It was VERY fun I am not going to lie.  We got there right at 9, had NO problem finding a parking spot, and honestly Joannes didn't start getting crowded until around 12 when we were leaving.  I got SOOO many pieces of fabric for SOOO little that I am positively giddy at the thought of getting busy with it. This is NOT the fabric we will use to put her nursery together, but to make receiving blankets, nighties, bibs, burp cloths, and some little bloomers for her as well.  Can't wait.  After shopping Diane and I got some lunch and visited away.  Later, hubby and I decided to go and see Saving Christmas.  Enjoyed every minute of that too, and then we got dinner at a new Sushi place we discovered a couple of weeks ago.  It is definitely my new favorite.  Oh my goodness....it is SOOO good!

Then it was Sat.  Melody went to have breakfast with her two best friends, and the rest of us just hung out.  I did put together a tree for Melody somewhere in the day as she really liked them too. The boys took LONG naps and recovered from their busy days and we finished off the day with dinner at one of our local Italian restaurants that is soo good.  Let me show you some other cute pictures of our times together.

THEY LOVED GRANDMA'S PIANO!  LOL  WE GOT SEVERAL SERENADES OF RUDOLPH THE RED NOSE REINDEER...LOL   SAM KNEW ALL THE WORDS! 

SAM LOVED HIS NEW FIRE CHIEF OUTFIT!

AND HIS NEW RUDOLPH

THE BOYS KICKING BACK WATCHING A LITTLE RUDOLPH IN THEIR NEW CHAIRS GRANDPA GOT FOR THEM!
Then it was Sunday....the day we were to take our family pictures.  And it was RAINING believe it or not!  I honestly could hardly believe it.  It never rains in California (or barely anyway) and goodness knows we need it, but picture day of all days?!!  We decided we would just do our best. And we actually pulled it off.  There were SOOOO many stories, complications, problems, hassles, and etc about this event but I will say this, we got some stunning pictures to look forward to.  Should have some in about 10 days.   I do have to tell you that my middle son John did NOT make it back in time from his week-end with in-laws for the picture.  Traffic was way more horrific then he planned for, and weather complicated it even further.  So he is NOT in the giant family shot!!  Very disappointing for sure, but again, it is what it is.  Such is life is it not?  There will be a large picture with hubby and I and all of our grandkids, and individual family shots as well.  Plenty to look forward to.  After the pictures were over we all went out to dinner to spend a little more time together before everyone headed home including Mike and Mel.  Such a long, fun, memorable time it was, and how grateful I am to have had this time together,  Now I intend to spend the rest of this day catching up laundry, putting things away, probably running a vacuum, and I think a nap is in order to. Then tomorrow I will begin our tree skirt and probably make an ornament or two, and then get started on some baby items.  Hope you all had a good holiday week-end too.  I have done a little visiting, but I intend to do a lot more today.  Here are some final pictures to share.

THEIR LITTLE FAMILY AT THE PICTURE SPOT YESTERDAY

VINNY AND LUKE (just two months apart!) SAYING HELLO YESTERDAY

SAM ADORES HIS OLDER COUSINS...AND WHO COULDN'T LOVE JD?  THE SWEET LOOK ON HIS FACE JUST SUMS UP HIS PERSONALITY.  THEY ARE ALL SOO GOOD WITH THE LITTLE ONES

15 comments:

  1. Debbie, I felt like I was right there with you all. What a wonderful time it must have been to have this time with all your children and grands. From a grandmother's perspective, there is nothing more precious and time to be treasured. And, congrats on the new baby girl. Won't you have fun with all that pink fabric to play with! Thanks for sharing as only you can.

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  2. Oh, a baby girl on the way and such a sweet way to announce the news! Wonderful Family time, sweet photos and looks like a very happy Thanksgiving day!

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  3. I could just imagine your squeal of delight when you learned that Mel is having a girl! Awesome!!

    And it's obvious that you all had an absolutely fabulous Thanksgiving!

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  4. Oh, I am just plum excited that Mel is going to have herself a little girl. What fun lies ahead for them and she'll always be well protected by her big brothers. So sweet!

    Now, you have something else to sew for and obviously that agrees with you. Have a wonderful week!

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  5. Just about the time I think our family is a busy one, I read about yours Debby. We celebrated my youngest daughter's birthday(her's is on Christmas)early Sat. eve and all the kids were running up and down stairs and playing hard-it is enough to wear me out. Loved seeing all the photos. I can't believe how Sam and Luke look so much alike-wonder if their sister will look like them too? Mel looks incredible. I'm seeing my dentist next week; I'll be praying for your work.
    Hugs, Noreen

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  6. Oh my gosh, what a fun filled long weekend. It sounded great! I can't wait to see your family photos!
    I almost ventured out to Joann's on Friday, but then didn't. Stayed home and sewed all day!
    Congratulations to Mel and Mike! A little girl!!! How exciting.
    Did you have your photos done in Chino Hills? Carbon Canyon area?
    Can't wait to see more!
    XO Kris

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  7. Some good looking family photos. Love the photos of the boys at the piano and kicking back in the easy chairs, just too cute! And woo hoo for a baby girl! They are such a cute little family Glad you all had such a nice Thanksgiving, Enjoy your week ahead...sounds like you need some "down time"

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  8. A girl! So excited for your daughter and family. Two boys and a girl...wonderful. Looks as if everyone had another great family memory-making day and a delightful and blessed weekend. Will you all be together for Christmas?

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  9. How very exciting! I am so happy for your Melody and her family; a girl! My niece Kristin reminds me of your Melody. She and her hubby just found out they are also pregnant. They have one daughter Kenzie but don't know the sex of this one yet. It sounds like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I love that you even had a separate table for all the pies. I love pie!

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  10. What a lovely time. I love all of the photos. I am so excited that Melody is going to have a girl.
    You are so blessed Debbie. What fun to have all of that new material. I bet you are so excited to make some girl baby things.
    I hope you are all rested up. :)

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  11. A baby girl!! How exciting!

    Such fun to see pictures of your Thanksgiving weekend. Many happy faces, family fun, adorable grandchildren...a great weekend, huh? :D

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  12. I love reading your posts and hearing about you and your family. And congrats on having a new little girl in the family soon!

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  13. Oh how awesome!!!! SO happy for you all on the news of a girl!

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  14. Debbie...every time I visit your blog, it just screams love and family. So happy you had such a wonderful Thanksgiving with those you love the most!

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  15. Visiting your blog is so much fun! You are so real, so honest, and so expressive! I can't imagine how thrilled your DIL would be to read the words stating that she and her mother are the best cooks ever! Wow! What a compliment from a MIL!

    I like how you shared the giddiness you felt when you found that great deal on the fabric. And, even better, the beautiful things that you will make with that fabric.

    You have a lovely family and I love that you share them, and the joy that they bring to you. Thanks Debbie!

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I am so glad that you would take the time to comment on my thoughts and feelings, it is such a blessing to me!