Awesome Thanksgiving!

Can't believe it is over already! Our family has been looking forward to and counting down to relatives coming for Thanksgiving and now everyone is gone. My parents, both sisters and their families and my brother all came to Virginia and stayed at our house. There were 17 people sleeping in our house. We ate lots of food, saw great sights, played a lot of games, sang a song or two, laughed a lot, and pretty much had a grand time. I'll be posting pictures soon.

Had a bit of a rough morning today. Was going to bring some food to a friend moving to the area from NJ and managed to leave it sit on the counter at home. Barely got Mom and Dad to the airport in time for their flight because of bad traffic. Went to Alexandria to sell back my dreadful math book. Locked my keys in the van. Needed to have a student ID to sell back a book. Don't have an ID because I only took one online course. Had to hike up a big hill to a different building to get an ID. Sold my book. Waited for roadside assistance to come unlock my van. Got a parking ticket while I waited. Enough said. I'm ready for tomorrow.

Quick Trip

In August, Maddie, Hannah, Isaiah, and I got a treat. We were able to fly to Minnesota for a quick visit. We changed planes at Midway in Chicago and were greeted by none other than the Blues Brothers. Yes – my kids know who they are. We have raised them right. We spent a few minutes posing with them during our brief lay-over.




We enjoyed spending time with Grandpa. He had just finished his chemo and radiation.


The cousins had a super time together putting on a play for us. This play was based off the book, "Donald Duck and the Magic Stick."



A few action shots:

I don't think Isaiah was entirely thrilled to be the donkey but he complied.


These three played Donald's nephew's Huey, Dewey, and Louie.




Maddie played multiple rolls: Uncle Donald, the inn keeper, the farmer and the carpenter.


Boy cousins had a little hang-time too.

Back-tracking

Disregard last post.


I was reviewing the posts from the last few months and realized I didn't blog about Charles' promotion. This past summer Charles was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel! Hooray! In the military when you are promoted you get to plan your own promotion ceremony. It was held in a small chapel at Ft. Dix. His new boss at the Pentagon agreed to come to NJ and participate in the ceremony (we hadn't moved to VA yet).


We wanted to have it in New Jersey so Charles' Dad and Nadine could attend.

The ceremony includes removing the old rank and pinning on the new rank . His new boss and his dad took care of the jacket…


and the kids did the dress shirt.




After the new rank is pinned on, he renews his oath of office.


We had a great turnout of family and friends.


One special guest was Helga. Helga has an amazing story. She is from Germany and grew up in poverty. She credits the American servicemen for saving her life and that of her family as the soldiers shared their rations. She married an American Sailor and came to America. She took the opportunity to express her appreciation for Charles.


Charles’ brother Nathanael flew in and surprised Charles.


Charles and his Dad, Nadine, & Helga.


Our family.

This almost makes me cuss!

I can't get any pictures to upload into the blog. I can't even get spell check to work. I've written a couple of posts but they are going to be on hold until I can get the pictures to insert. Grrrrr!

Anyone have advice?