Thanksgiving in Grand Rapids

 Hubby and I went to Michigan for Thanksgiving to visit Danny and Jess. We ran into Mark and Karen at the airport, different flights, same destination and motive, see our guys!

 We had an easy travel day. Dnny picked us up from the airport and Jess had dinner ready at home.  After dinner we went to Hux's favorite hang out.  Everyone knows his name and the treats are abundant.

On Wednesday we went hunting and gathering for our Thanksgiving dinner. Between the market downtown's bakeries and Nantucket we scored the best pies and rolls ever.

Jeff joined us for dinner and then the Housemans and more friends came for dessert and a game.

Jess and I did some shopping on Black Friday morning.  They live within walking distance to Breton Village.

Friday night we went to Max's South Seas Tiki Bar in downtown. I cannot tell you enough good things about their tiki collection.  One of the best I've seen.  Danny knew a manager and he gave us the full three story tour.

We enjoyed pupus and cocktails and s'mores for dessert.

 There ware many artists involved with Max's and everything is beautifully done.

 Save room for the s'more! Crazy good!

We met up with friends at Z's and had a ball there too.

 It was a fabulous trip, so good to see Danny and Jess settled into their house, enjoying their work and getting to see their friends again.  I didn't take a lot of pictures, my only regret, because I was just taking it all in.  Their hospitality was heart warming and I missed them as soon as we walked into the airport to go home.

This afternoon I am hanging out with some of my favorite first graders, and then leaving right from school with Annie.  It is Trailer Trash Christmas time! I'm giddy! Annie will be all decked out for Christmas. Annie and Christmas are my favorites and when combined, watch out!

Enjoy this December weekend! If only their were eight weekends in December...

I'm Here

 I've been here all along.  It's the blogging that has been missing.  As much as I enjoy blogging, my icloud photos and Blogger are fighting and I feel as though I am caught up in their ugly break up.

I battled through this morning and so let's get caught up.

In August we camped in Naches at our favorite spots with some of our favorite friends.

Sheryl and I boated to Roche Harbor where Shelly met us and we had a fun girls' trip. 

There was gorgeous scenery at Shelly's house on the cape, trips to Roche Resort, Vervue Clicqot with M & M's in bed and a lot of sunshine and yakking.  Nonstop laughing and yakkin' it up.

We went to family camp and celebrated Alex and Serena and Sam and Katie with a couples camping shower.  We had a cast iron cook off and good visiting with family.

 The Mt. Baker Rally in Lynden had a Wild West theme in September.  My friend Annette joined us this year and got to meet some Sisters on the Fly.  She brought her western theme Shasta on her first trip.  Giddy up!

Our besties, Jeremy and Rene' surprised everyone with a pop up wedding.

Hubby and I took a weekend trip to Silver Lake this fall.  It's a favorite camping trip for us, very relaxing.  Annie is snug in the forest and we are snug in our flannel sheets.

Since Steve and Jean were in town we went to Bayview  State Park for some fall camping.  The guys went to town to watch the game and the girls got busy crafting.

 We had Diner en Blanc one evening.  Glamped up the park and had a delicious dinner at a pretty table.

 It was fun to celebrate with Jeremy and Rene' with a small group of friends.

Our family headed to the mountains to celebrate with Alex and Serena at Cabin Creek Lodge.  It was a pretty wedding and a fun family time.  We lunched at the Brick in Roslyn, toured Heritage Distillery and visited Owen Meats in Cle Elum.

 Congratulations to a special couple and sweet Rory!

I've been busy substituting this fall. I run into my friend, Ella on the playground and she always has a hug for me.  Of course, I've had a cold that was flu like that ran for 4+ weeks. Job hazard.

 Hubby and I had an early Thanksgiving dinner with Sam and Katie and Max and Kassie. Sam and Katie haven't set a wedding date yet, they're waiting on some career changes and immigration.  Max and Kassie are busy on the farm and ready for things to slow down this winter.

Hubby and I are spending the holiday with Danny and Jess in Michigan,  So. Excited.

On Saturday, Karen and I got on the Polar Express to go shopping in Seattle.  Terrell, Lindsey and Tory make it fun and the swag bags are amazing!

I have three trees out and ready to decorate.  My goal is to leave for  Michigan with a clean and decorated house.  It's lofty goal but I am going to give it my best. The problem is that when I start decorating I see other projects, last week I painted two tables, reorganized the sitting room and cleaned the trailer.  Annie got cleaned and decorated for Christmas.  She's taking a Christmas trip in December!

Now, we're all caught up and probably bored by now.  

The blog is hard to write with the photo issues and I almost gave up completely.  Some sweet friends miss me though and I do like to document and write so we'll see what is next. 

In the meantime, Happy Thanksgiving and I've missed all y'all!

Friendsgiving

On Saturday evening Hubby and I hosted Friendsgiving with my pie pals and their husbands.  I love to set a fall table.  I used my Grandma's wheat dishes.

 I got out my Mom's Thanksgiving salt and pepper set.  It made me realize that this holiday season is going to be hard.

I put together place cards.  Hubby and I prefer a seating arrangement.  It's nice when it's time for dinner, we are flying around the kitchen, and no one is asking where we'd like them to sit.

 The votive holders are from Crate and Barrel. I filled the bottoms with small fall bits.

Hubby and I took a selfie before our guests arrived.  All looks calm but honestly, we don't entertain as often as we used to and there were some issues.  We need to get our game on!

Since this was the first holiday party of the season we decided to start the evening with a Silver Bell.  We've enjoyed this cocktail at Oliver's in the Mayflower Hotel.  The Silver Bell was created for a Seattle hospital gala with festive in mind.

We served appetizers on the buffet.

 Dinner!  We made pork roasts, grilled turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green beans, Jodi made the sweet potatoes and PW Nan's Cranberry Salad.  I don't have a photo of Holly's relish tray, trust me it was impressive!

 Shelly baked the pies.  They were beautiful and delicious!

 It was such a fun way to begin our holiday season.

 *Many of these photos aren't mine.

Thanksgiving Day is at Bill and Jodi's house.  Max and Kassie are coming and bringing Bo.  Sam will be at dinner.  Jonny too! Hubby has to work on Thanksgiving, so we're having dinner with Max and Kassie and Sam and Katie on Saturday evening.  I'm not sure if I am cooking or if we are going out yet.  On Sunday I am leaving for my annual sisters' shopping trip.  Sisters include cousins Melinda and Lissa.  I am shopping for stocking stuffers.

I have two trees up and I'll finish decorating after Bo leaves.  His tail is dangerous!

Wishing you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving! We really have so much to be thankful for this year and always.