I'M HERE!

Hi ! I am back! And I am relaxed!
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at mom and dad's. The whole family was there this year, and it was just great! There was smoked turkey, baked turkey, smoked ham, and about....ooohhhh, I dunno.....about 30 other side dishes and desserts. I took my regular pecan pies, which everyone likes, I think, because this recipe eliminates that gross layer of "jelly" that you find in most. Em's pumpkin pies are always devoured, and Thom made Creme de Menthe parfaits....."to(ahem) settle the stomach", as my mother likes to say. My Uncle brought a bottle of Irish Country Cream. This is something like Baileys, but.............oh.my.goodness. I had never even heard of this, but definitely a new favorite for me! Also, the obligatory and traditional Christmas card picture was taken. My Mom sends out hundreds of cards every year, and she started the "family picture" card, way back when we girls were still in elementary school. It is always neat to look back and see when we have added spouses or babies to the family. Great tradition, (I am glad that mom put up with all of our complaining over the years, and made us do it anyway!).

Race is picking up where he left off. He is more relaxed than I have seen him in about a year and a half. I just can't tell y'all how awesome it is to have all of us under one roof again. It is so great to have a little "back-up", a little "leverage"in the old parenting team again. You see, we have always looked at parenting, as a bit of a tag team effort, and for most of this year.....there's been no one in my corner (physically) to TAG! It feels good to be a team again! And the kids are just in heaven!

Race brought back the usual souvenirs from his journeys, but he also surprised us by buying new back packs for us all. He is in the process of "outfitting" everyone with all weather jackets and shoes. Although this stuff is also made for hiking and camping, we will breaking these items in on a family trip to London in a few weeks! We are really excited, and this fits so perfectly with the mediaeval period of history that the kids have been studying, (as well as boning up on the ole' British history!). I love England, and Race knows London like the back of his hand. The travel idea is one that we have longed for for our kids. I suppose it is due in part to Race's job, and the way it affects your thinking, but we would really like to make the world a much smaller place for our children. One in which they would not be afraid to move about. So, off we go! The idea being that each child learn to become responsible for his or her own gear, and generally learn to be confident in traveling. Race is P.E.R.F.E.C.T for this! SO this is exciting. It is a goal. And we hope that it is just the beginning.

Well, I have to go and get dinner going (*gush*). But I will be back to writing again regularly. I can't wait to go and catch up on everyone's blogs!

Oh, and DY. My Mom said more than once, how much she wished that you and Charles and the boys could have come for Thanksgiving again this year. You were missed! (incidentally, so was your bread!)