Boo, Gobble Gobble and Ho, Ho, Ho!

That's right, we've made it through Halloween, Thanksgiving and the SMIC Christmas party. Time is sure flying when I stop to think that this time next year we SHOULD be in sunny WARM Florida...woo hoo!!

Let me back up. Halloween was a DELIGHTFUL day that began w/4 of our friends helping us move from the cg to Springfield for the winter. I feel like a bear in hibernation. The 2 B/R townhouse is old and, since 3 walls are exposed to the elements, it gets quite chilly in there. We're starting to get used to wearing double sox, sweaters and pulling blankets up to our chins...and that's while watching TV!

Truly, the DELIGHTFUL part came late that morning when our 1st grandchild, Sophia, made an early appearance. All went well for her and Mommy. The new Papa and I had a good long-distance cry for joy as I absorbed all of the vitals of our little darlin'. A couple weeks later, Grandpa & I went to TX to see all 3 of them and I have since learned that "Butterfly Kisses" are NOT soft, tiny kisses. They are a weird way to "kiss" someone, so I'll just stick w/soft, tiny kisses!

From TX Tom and I went to AZ to pick up my sister and the 3 of us went to San Diego, CA for a few days. HEADS UP...if you DON'T have kids or if anyone in your party does NOT like the zoo or possibly going to Legoland, it's a pretty boring town. We were able to stay busy the first 2 days but struggled to stay busy the 3rd day. The 4th day was our drive back to AZ w/Micki & Don fixing a YUMMY Thanksgiving dinner. Don put the turkey in early TH morning and when the 3 of us arrived, Micki and I put the rest of the meal together in a RECORD 1 HOUR TIME! No "all day in the kitchen" that day!

Christmas is going to be here in a few more days so we've been staying busy shopping. Clay & Kim came down last weekend and endured the craziness on the west side of town. However, they were good sports because they knew dinner was going to be a treat...at TX Roadhouse...go figure!

In addition to Christmas drawing near, our 2nd grandchild's arrival is drawing near as well. We are getting excited about Little Bean's Jan. 20th due date, so we'll see if Baby B will make an early appearance like Baby L did. The only thing that really matters is that Little Bean will be a healthy baby and Mommy will fly through the birthing process w/flying colors.

Oh yeah...we're down to a little more than 10 months away from retirement/semi-retirement! That sounds SO good!