The Thanksgiving Corner

It was last November when I was cornered after dinner by my mother in law, Nancy.  I am pretty sure she recalls this calculated move on her part.  She separated me from the group and laid it on the line... "I want to have Thanksgiving with my family this year."  

I mean, yes, Graham and I have been together for 17 years and we have always spent Thanksgiving with my family.  And, yes, my Mom has relinquished hosting the event in recent years.  Let's just say it was the right year to throw down the gauntlet and corner me. The cornering also worked on Mallory, as she and Andrew decided that this was the year to not attend their annual feast in Gainesville.

The point is that Thanksgiving was different this year.  We spent the holiday in St. Pete with Graham's family.  Nancy and Howard prepared a lovely meal. We ate way to much.  Laughed a lot due to great company and the game Pie Face.  We also went to bed as you always should on Thanksgiving... full. 

The next day, we had pie for breakfast, enjoyed the beach with Hobart and Cheryl, and had a fun visit with Great Grandma Ruthie.

Overall a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday spent with family.  I will mention that as we walked up from the beach, I was once again separated from the group and cornered.  This time by Hobart.  Oh my, the pressure that comes with the Holiday, am I right?  

(To family reading this blog, hopefully you can appreciate the humor in being cornered.  I love you all dearly and I am happy to spend my holidays with family.  Luckily for us, we have a lot of family.)

Halloween Galore

As we approach Christmas, I guess it is time to catch up on Halloween and Thanksgiving.  Not sure where the year went, but I do not it went by quickly.  

Dylan's kindergarten Halloween Parade. Ellison was sure I forgot to pack his costume and attend the parade.  This caused panic and tears in her classroom.  Her teacher was relieved to see Dylan in costume at the parade and that I was in attendance.

The kids and I stopped by as All Saints Alums to partake in their trunk or treat. It was great to catch up with friends and our cousins.

We enjoyed a neighbors Halloween party. The kids loved bobbing for apples.

The pumpkin was carved the night before... but it was carved!

We hosted our Annual Halloween Party and had a blast with our friends before and during trick or treating.

Worst Nightmare: Any Thing for my Baby!

Amazing what a parent will do for their child.  Just in case you are not already aware, I suffer from a one of the worst possible fears you can have while living in Florida. The fears of lizards.

When Dylan asked for a reptile party.  I, of course, agreed.  When he asked for a giant lizard to come, I agreed.  When he asked me to hold it... well, I drew the line there.  No. Way.

We had a blast celebrating Dylan turning 6 with 30 of his closet friends.  It was a bit crazy, but all in a good way!

We really did have so much fun!  And I survived the lizards!

Dyl Pickle is 6!

Dylan is 6 today!  As I laid next to him in his bed last night and kissed him good night for the last time as a 5 year old, I tried to remember my sweet baby Dylan! Besides the first few months of infancy, Dylan has been an easy going, chill kid.  A few things about Dylan:

• He rarely gets into trouble. 
• He always makes a mess
• He is really good at sports
• He prefers "fast" clothes at all times.
• He is an ANIMAL LOVER and can share a kazillion facts if you ask.
• He is learning to read and loves learning new words.
• He is an artist like his sister.  He draws every night before he goes to bed.
• When asked recently if he would like a baby brother, he said he would rather have his turtles.  (I did not ask this question, but did find the answer interesting)
• His favorite foods are Jersey Mike's turkey sub, any type of yogurt, and steak. 

Dylan has the kindest heart. He loves his sister, Ellison, so very much. When she is sad, he is sad.  He is a good friend to others and is the life of the party.  Dylan Beaman Clark, we are blessed to have you as our son.  We love you!