Thanksgiving with the Zoo Crew

The biggest turkey of them all?

Or rather, a visit FROM a great big turkey...in the form of Uncle Mike!! YAY! He is in town doing some Army stuff, so he was able to join us for a crazy family Thanksgiving.

We had an adventure trying to brine a frozen turkey (did you know that if you leave your turkey outside to defrost in below freezing temps, not much defrosting happens? duh!). Anyway, the turkey turned out pretty well and I think we'll do the brining thing again. It was my first attempt, and I have to say that I'm sold!

Since we didn't eat 'til about 3, we had to kill some time...kids enjoyed some remote control racing fun with a true expert--who was even able to get a *mostly dead* x-mods car back up and running!

After tummies were full, we watched Kung Fu Panda and enjoyed Uncle Mike's company. Of course, we took a break for pumpkin pie!! We're so thankful he was able to join us!

Silly, Seasonal Patrick!

Merry Christmas!! We did our annual Christmas card photo shoot this weekend and Patrick *really* got into the spirit of the event...
Please note the pink nail polish....that would be what happens when big sister leaves such a tempting toy in Patrick's reach...and he won't let us take it off!!!

Anyway, here he is, signing "Christmas"...

New Additions to the Zoo Crew

In direct response to the impending and probably loss of the undeclared "War on Unwanted Small Furry Creatures", we've added to the Zoo Crew with some wanted small furry creatures. Meet Dakota & Indiana, 10 week old kittens:
Here's a funny....Katie was trying to show us Indy's new trick, climbing in her shirt and out again. Indy decided he liked his spot and promptly fell asleep. Dakota followed, snoozing on Katie's lap:
Here's hoping we have better luck with these babies.

Happy Birthday, Patrick!

Happy Birthday, Miracle Boy! It's been 11 years and you continue to amaze us with your intrepid soul and your oddball sense of humor.



We asked what you wanted for your birthday and you said PIZZA, so off we went to Pizza Hut, en masse. And then you ordered breadsticks, hee hee hee.

Some things people might not realize about you, especially when they see your *bonus features* first:

• Patrick has a weird but good sense of humor.
• He likes to build things, only to destroy them! (think tinkertoys & legos)
• Cat 569 will always be his secret code...and if we EVER figure it out, I think we will unlock the mysteries that are the Patrick.
• Patrick has a sense of style--honed by watching "What Not to Wear" with big sister Katie. He is NOT afraid to share his opinions with others.
• His favorite foods are all things he can cook successfully by himself: tacquitos, quesadillas, popcorn
• Patrick has a memory that exceeds an elephant's capability!
• He does NOT like homework.

Happy birthday, my boy! I'm so very happy those crazy doctors were wrong about you so long ago.

Get Off Your Butt!!

I hate to duplicate stuff on my blogs, but today is an important day, so please bear with me.

I’m holding on to hope today--the hope that comes from faith in God. And from confidence in my fellow Americans to choose wisely.

I’m praying for the future of my country.

This moment, this choice, is bigger than just one candidate for president. THIS is what makes us unique in all the world… Democracy only works when each and every one of us takes our opinion voicing privilege seriously, thoughtfully and responsibly. But here’s the thing…no matter which side of the fence you are on…don’t complain if you don’t vote.

If you are legally eligible, get your butt to your polling place and cast your ballot. And please, please, PLEASE...

Just say NO!! to socialism.

And may God guide the hands of those that pull the levers.