(no subject)
Thanksgiving was probably one of the better ones we've had in the last four years with Shasta's folks ... mostly due to the fact that this year I got us a little motel room to stay in instead of staying at her parents' house. Having clean, private bathroom facilities and a quiet room to sleep in made the entire stay much, much more pleasant! Like usual on Thanksgiving, the day itself wasn't much of a production, but there were a ton of people coming in and out of her folks' house to eat and say hi to everyone. I think we actually saw all of her brothers (except Marvin, who lives in Denver) including her twin Shannon (who was absent last year due to being in jail) and the oldest, Allan, who lives a ways away. We also saw her niece Rebecca this year, and we haven't seen her in a couple years since she lives in Lubbock with her mom. We got to meet Malvin's new wife and her two kids, and I liked all of them very much; Malvin also seemed to be happier than I've ever seen him before, so I'm really glad for him. And Shasta was able to get in some quality time talking with her mom, which I know she really enjoyed.
The following are the extent of our Thanksgiving Day media:
Shasta's Dad and his very noisy dog, Precious
Our girls get their Thanksgiving dinner courtesy of Shasta's uncle Kevin:
On Black Friday we got up and scored a new set of luggage for our upcoming Hawaii honeymoon for just $40 -- we also picked up a few things at Kohl's and Target, all stuff for ourselves since we already pretty much have Christmas presents for the family sorted out. I mailed my brother Caleb's package to him in Iraq and he says he got it already, so that's taken care of, too.
Most of my family's Christmas presents this year will consist of my grandmother's collection of photographs, the ones I inherited after she passed away in February. I'm scanning them so they can be shared with the whole family and thought they'd make really great Christmas gifts too. Here are just a few of my favorites:
My great-grandmother's family, in Canada. Early 1900's. My great-grandmother's the little girl on the lower right. Next to her is her brother Hiram and her sister Marjorie, and I believe her parents are behind them along with some assorted aunts and uncles?
My great-grandmother, Maude.
My grandmother, Shannon, at about age 7.
My grandmother again.
My grandmother and my dad as a little boy.
My Dad, sitting on Santa's lap in 1949. (He was about two and a half.)
My Dad at age 15.
My Dad and me, when I was about two. Don't remember this picture but I think it's one of my favorites. :P
There are literally HUNDREDS more... my grandmother was really, really into photographs and now I get why. I'm so glad that the technology exists now to scan these so they can be shared with all our family...
Anyway, we now have the house all Christmasified as of this weekend, which makes me very happy. :) Shasta bought one of those inflatable outdoor decorations (Santa Claus and reindeer peeking out of an RV) and I hung big ornaments from our front gutter and we decorated the pine tree in our yard with ornaments and lights. We also put up our indoor Christmas tree and dining room decorations, so we're ready! So excited to be hosting Christmas again this year. *^^*
The following are the extent of our Thanksgiving Day media:
Shasta's Dad and his very noisy dog, Precious
Our girls get their Thanksgiving dinner courtesy of Shasta's uncle Kevin:
On Black Friday we got up and scored a new set of luggage for our upcoming Hawaii honeymoon for just $40 -- we also picked up a few things at Kohl's and Target, all stuff for ourselves since we already pretty much have Christmas presents for the family sorted out. I mailed my brother Caleb's package to him in Iraq and he says he got it already, so that's taken care of, too.
Most of my family's Christmas presents this year will consist of my grandmother's collection of photographs, the ones I inherited after she passed away in February. I'm scanning them so they can be shared with the whole family and thought they'd make really great Christmas gifts too. Here are just a few of my favorites:
My great-grandmother's family, in Canada. Early 1900's. My great-grandmother's the little girl on the lower right. Next to her is her brother Hiram and her sister Marjorie, and I believe her parents are behind them along with some assorted aunts and uncles?
My great-grandmother, Maude.
My grandmother, Shannon, at about age 7.
My grandmother again.
My grandmother and my dad as a little boy.
My Dad, sitting on Santa's lap in 1949. (He was about two and a half.)
My Dad at age 15.
My Dad and me, when I was about two. Don't remember this picture but I think it's one of my favorites. :P
There are literally HUNDREDS more... my grandmother was really, really into photographs and now I get why. I'm so glad that the technology exists now to scan these so they can be shared with all our family...
Anyway, we now have the house all Christmasified as of this weekend, which makes me very happy. :) Shasta bought one of those inflatable outdoor decorations (Santa Claus and reindeer peeking out of an RV) and I hung big ornaments from our front gutter and we decorated the pine tree in our yard with ornaments and lights. We also put up our indoor Christmas tree and dining room decorations, so we're ready! So excited to be hosting Christmas again this year. *^^*