Belated Thanksgiving

A slightly belated Thanksgiving Post because well . . . we were a bit under the weather after the big event.  The good news is that we are all feeling a ton better and having a jolly 'ol time. 

Dad and I ran the Long Grove Tukey Trot.  We had a lot of fun together.

I am thankful that Dad has passed on his love for running to me!

 We did a lot of cooking.  Tim & Pete roasted the turkey to perfection . . . I'm not even exagerating . . . Perfection.

I love freshly made cranberries.  Why do people eat canned cranberries when they can so easily make fresh? 

Addison thinks that Thanksgiving meal is a particularly good idea.

 One of my favorite pictures of the day of Lynn and Emily Ann.  Mom and I had been discussing how photogenic these ladies are - this is proof!!

 The stuffing came out great.  I used Grandma Nadeau's recipe.  Mmmm!  One of my favoriet foods. 

 Mom carved th e lamb shank. 

 Tim carved the turkey.

My plate:  Starting at 9'o'clock and moving clockwise:  Mashed Potatoes, Rootabaga, Cranberries, Stuffing, Lamb, Tukey, Crescent Rolls, Carrot Soufle, and 24 hour salad.  There were a billion desserts but I forgot to take pictures of those - so here is a picture of a beautiful pumpkin pie! 

 Alaina is a budding photographer and artist!  We spent much of the afternoon coloring while the football games donned the t.v.

 Later that evening Alaina played dressup!  Gotta love that belly.

Late in the afternoon I had the pleasure of baptizing/dedicating Addie Jane!  It was very special.  Later this week I will post the script for the service!!  Mom knitted her beautiful baptismal gown.  Look at how happy she was!  She loved it!!

And because I'm still a bit tired from the . . . um . . . sickness. . . I'm not going to put this in order.  Here are the Thanksgiving Chefs!

So many highlights from the day. 

Here is Poppy (Emily Ann's Grandpa). 

He told me some great stories about growing up in Indiana and then about his time in the war. 

What a treat!

Memorial Weekend in Indianapolis

(Alaina's monkey cupcake) 

This just in from the news desk.  Pete, Emily Ann, Alaina, and Addison are having a great time this weekend in Indianapolis with Emily's Parents.  Pete and Paul (Donnelson) are at the races and the ladies are at home whipping up some of their own fun.  Here are some pictures of the girls!

What an amazing week!

I wanted to thank you all for your prayers the last few months for my health and Addison's as well. We could not have made it to 39 weeks without the help of our family! Pete and I feel so blessed that we were given such gifts of love and time away from husbands/work/etc.

Addison is just a picture of health and we could not be happier that our family is finally together after much anticipation. Alaina is adjusting to her new role as "big sister" very well, and likes to tell everyone which things around the house belong to Addy.

A big "thank you" to Emily and Paul for supplying lots of Nana time since Thanksgiving. Also, to Tracy who was "sick" enough to come visit for the birth and to take beautiful pictures to capture the moments together. It is always nice to have Aunt CC around--Alaina gets so excited.

My mom is staying with us this week while Pete gets back to work. The week following my sister is bringing up her computer and will work from our house so that I have help with Alaina. The last week of January, Pete will stay home from work again to give me one more week of healing before I have to try this by myself.

I am feeling better everyday regarding the pain, but still get tired very easily. I'm doing my best to help out with Addison and interact with Alaina without picking her up. That's been difficult on both of us since she doesn't understand why I can't lift her and I want desperately to be active in her day.

Please pray for continued healing, that we continue to have showings on the house, and that we are able to convey to everyone just how grateful we are for the amazing love they show us everyday. Sometimes in families such as ours, where the bonds are so strong, we forget that not everyone is so blessed.

Thank you to everyone again.
Love you all dearly.
Emily Ann

Drumstick Dash!

Dad and I ran the Drumstick Dash on Thanksgiving Morning. The run was 4.5 miles long and it was a lot of fun! We ran it in 55:25. We probably could have done it a little bit faster but the course was PACKED with people. Dad and I probably ran at least a mile more zig zagging in between all of the slower runs (oh yes - we are so speedy :) )

A quick stretch before we hit the cold air. The temperature was 27 degrees when we started and was a balmy 37 degrees when we finished.

There we are in the crowd! There were so many people that it took us 5 minutes before we crossed the start line. Man it was frustrating but we eventually got some clear space to run free!

Here we are in the final mile. Mom and Lynne took pictures of us rounding the corner. Can you see their reflections on the pavement? Lynne grew up in the area of the race called Broad Ripple. She and mom had fun looking through the neighborhood.

Drumstick Dash

This year our family is going to Indianapolis for Thanksgiving. We will be joining the Donnelsons for a lovely time. I am going to run the Drumstick Dash which is 4.5 mile run. They run is generating proceeds to support the Wheeler Mission in its effort to feed the hungry. I am really looking forward to spending my Thanksgiving this way - thankful for my family - thankful for the ABUNDANCE that God has given me. My prayer is that I would be His vessel that overflows onto those around me.

Generations!

This was my favorite picture from last weekend.

13 Hours

I had 13 hours of driving last weekend. First to Chicago, then to Indianapolis, and then back to Detroit. I had lots of time to myself; thinking, singing, taking in the sites. It was a whirlwind weekend of Pre-wedding festivities. I was thankful that Pete & Emily included me.

Pete is a real All American - He loves this country - see the flag hanging in his condo? He was really excited to show me all the nooks and crannies of his place - I loved seeing them all! Even his parking space. It still blows my mind how much a parking space costs in downtown Chicago - it's RIDICULOUS! Pete is most definitely downtown!

Here's the view from His condo - and yes that is the reflection of the Sears Tower - it's that close!

So Friday night I drove from Detroit to Chicago - and only nearly choked to death once on the hot pepper that made its way into my Subway Sub. The directions were easy. Pete met me at the front lobby and we ended up parking my car at Union Station for a mere $25 per day. We (Pete, Emily, Anna[Emily's sister], and Brandi[Emily's good friend from Purdue] visited and stayed up WAY too LATE playing Catch Phrase.

Saturday we woke up early and got ready for Emily's big day of bachelorette fun. Pete chauffeured us to her friend Courtney's house where we had manicures, munchies, present opening and what I'm sure every bride insists upon - Guitar Hero!!! It cracked me up - it was a lot of fun.

Whooaa! Check out that ring! Isn't it beautiful. The stones are heirlooms and the the band was custom made by our friend Patsy. It looks fantastic with the accompanying "Wedding Band" too!

Afterwards we had a lovely afternoon at the Drake Hotel where we had "High Tea". I drank a lovely honeybush (no caffeine & from South Africa). They serves mini sandwiches, breads, and some delicious pasties. Emily just loved the Roast Beef sandwiches that had grilled onions! MMMmmmm!

That evening we caravaned from Chicago to Indianapolis. Like a typical Michigander - I promptly forgot that folks in Chicago pay for their roads - We had to all pull over so that Pete could loan his dear ol' sister some spare cash for the toll booths. It was quite embarrassing. The drive went by quickly - I listened to AM radio - a favorite secret pastime of mine - while driving on road trips.

We were welcomed with open arms at the Donnelson Home. Pete, Emily, and the gang got right to watching the Indianapolis Colts play. (ps. the hawkeye's beat up the spartans that night in basketball! He He He! I love winning!) Emily's mom, Lynn, and I chit-chatted for several hours about teaching! Teachers across America have a common bond (of insanity) that no one else can ever understand unless they become a teacher.

In the morning we had a lovely shower. Lifelong friends organized and prepared for the brunch. Emily's mom made a fantastic chicken salad recipe that had fruit in it. I'll have to get her recipe! We played a few shower games and then presents were opened. There were so many lovely things. I thought the most special gift was the dutch oven that Gram Fraser gave Pete with her special recipe for Swiss Steak. It was such a thoughtful gift since Pete loves to cook so much.

I drove home that afternoon in the beautiful fog and snow. I love the way that our country looks!