The House is Oddly Quiet

After having twenty people in our house for Thanksgiving, it was a little weird waking up to a quiet house the next day. You forget how awesome it is to be near family until you are hundreds of miles away from them. Please come back and make my house noisy again.

 

To fill the family void, Vera and I headed to her gym class. She was all done up in her Indiana cheerleader outfit for the big game against North Carolina. I swear this gym class has turned her into one brave little girl who jumps on/off anything.

 

Here she is taking a hot air balloon ride. She giggled the entire time. Just a few months ago she wouldn't have even tried this. I love how  adventurous she is becoming.

Christmas Comes to Celebration

After a fun four days with the  Elseroad's, they had to return to Georgia. But not before Vera and Chubs had some quality time rocking on the porch. The remaining group then headed downtown to watch Santa come to town and snow fall in Florida.

Two old friends laughing and remembering the good old days

The family after the "snow" fell downtown

Vera's loves to say "no way" now, and when asked to smile for me, that was what she said here.

In front of the Celebration, FL, official Christmas tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus had just arrived and the crowd went crazy

Some of my favorite people waiting for the snow to fall again

And here it is...snow in Florida. It was more like a weird, oily foam, but it looked like snow when it fell. Poor Florida children may think this is what real snow looks like. Only in Celebration

Loving' life and listening to the Christmas carolers sing in the background.

The best darn Mom, Aunts, and Uncles around. I loved celebrating with them, and I am so thankful that they are in my life.

Revenge of the Nerds

What family gathering would be complete without a theme night? This year we all decided on nerd night, and when we commit to a theme, we go all out. I've never seen so many open zippers, argyle socks, and thick glasses. It was a blast walking around town and going out to eat dress like a herd of nerds. Boy did we get some looks!

Here's the whole nerdy clan.

My two favorite nerds

Uncle Ron with his braces teeth and Aunt Debbi

There are no words

Mom's V-8 sweater outfit was a favorite with the judges, but Ve was my personal favorite with her little glasses

Taking a stroll around the bar on the arm of the king of the nerds. Uncle Bill earned that title by wearing those pants

That's hilarious

Three generations of nerds

Doug and Lauren

Have you seen my Swingline stapler?

Vera kicked Larry off the stairs for being to nerdy

Nothing says awesome like a family that can laugh together and have fun. What a great, silly way to make memories together.

Black Friday!

What Thanksgiving would be complete without a early morning run to the stores for some great bargains? All the girls got up bright and early and headed downtown for the "Pajama Jammie Jam"; you got 30% off your purchase if you were wearing your PJ's. It seemed like a good idea.

Aunt Judy and Lindyn had matching leopard skin pajamas

Heidi had the best pajamas in town, literally. She won a gift card for best dressed.

After some shopping, the entire family headed to Downtown Disney for some good old fun.



Just riding on the carousel

Be sure to buckle up cousin Doug

The gang by the Mickey fountain

Jackson and me in front of a giant Lego Prince Charming fighting the evil dragon

Reece checking out the dinosaurs

And then we headed home to celebrate Uncle Ron's 75th birthday. He doesn't look or act that old



Here he is when we surprised him with a cake and sang happy birthday

What a great Black Friday, celebrating with lots of fun, birthdays, and family!

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year with everyone in town. We had perfect weather and the perfect group of people. I am so thankful for my family; they have been there for me no matter what. They are the best family a girl could ever hope to have.  

The caravan walking downtown since it was so beautiful outside.

Vera and Chubs checking out the fountain

Guga and Reece got stuck in the middle when the water came on full blast.

Just out for a Thanksgiving Day stroll with baby Lindyn

I'll get wet if you do

Guga running through the fountain with three if her grand kids. Yes, they got soaked

Stuck in the middle with you

Sisters just relaxing by the lake

Doug and Lauren

The Core family

Uncle Ron and Aunt Debbie

Aunt Judy and Uncle Bill

The coolest family you'll ever meet

The whole gang. This is the best we could do...baby Lindyn's forehead is visible, the kiddos are all looking at something else, and half of us are in the shade. That about sums it up.

heading home after some fountain fun. Wet kids in the wagon

Hilarious.

All the kiddos enjoying a "turkey Oreo" before lunch was ready. They devoured those suckers.

Mrs. Angie's Oreo turkeys

Relaxing on the steps before the big football game; it was Purdue versus Norte Dame. There were signs and cheerleaders involved on both sides.

Team Norte Dame preparing for kickoff.

Reece showing his full support of the Boilermakers.

Touchdown Purdue!

Uncle Ron giving Chubs the what for

The best live action shot. Everyone going for gold. What a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends