Belly Laughs & Bonfires.
Well, we all succeeded in ending the day
back here at the house for pizza and a bon
fire. Even Megan’s friend, Sergio, made the
trip out. Gary put the rest of the red
Christmas lights up outside and got the wood
ready and put more chairs out front and
we truly believe that we solved all the
worlds problems. There’s just something
about a bonfire that brings out the most
engaging conversations.
Gary crashed on the porch, Jo slept in the
2nd bedroom and Megan and I slept in our bed.
Another late night. I’m gonna need a vacation
once everyone goes home! 
Not sure how long everyone is staying but my
real life is beckoning. I have much to do in
the way of work and so if you are waiting for
anything, be patient. I’ll be contacting you soon.
No big plans today.
Full House.
Jo’s upstairs on her laptop.
Gary’s out on the porch watchin’ TV.
I had to come downstairs to use my
iMac cuz my laptop needs some TLC.
Megan will return later today from
her brother’s house and we will all
hang out tonight…I’m thinkin’ fire pit!
What a day yesterday.
I am so thankful to be near all of
my family members and friends.
Now my family is growing and my friends
are growing. Both Jo and Megan joined
us for a meal at Gary’s mom’s and at
my sister’s…it was awesome.
No malls today but there are 2 families
checking into the Hilton today and Jo
really wants to come along and see how
that all goes down so we’ll head out in
a little bit and grab a bite on the way.
Megan will be back later on.
How long does the ‘ol L-Triptophan stay
in your system anyway? I felt like a mid
morning nap a bit ago!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Getting ready for the annual “FOMA”.
(that’s a ‘food-coma’ to those of you
not in the know)!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Getting ready for the annual “FOMA”.
(that’s a ‘food-coma’ to those of you
not in the know)!!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Thanksgiving Day Eve.
Today Megan arrives from Chicago.
She won’t get here until around 6 or 7
but that gives me some time to get
a little more organized and run and
get her some Sweet & Low. 
These are shots from past visits.
Hope we don’t get kicked out of Macy’s again.
Megan is going to stay here tonight and
then head to her brothers and stay there
tomorrow night but will be encountering
a Thanksgiving like no other….a “CF”~
Craig Function…others in the family might
refer to the CF as a “Cluster _____”.
We LOVE the chaos and I can’t wait for the
merriment to begin!!!
Jo arrives tomorrow. She will actually hook
up with us in Northfield and Gary’s mom’s
home for Thanksgiving One then come up here
and head to my sisters for Thanksgiving 2.
Boo is anxious for the guests to arrive too!
Shredding toilet paper, arranging his toys
and practicing his “surprise!” from the empty
wine box…watch out!!!
Have a great Holiday everyone!
Thanksgiving Plans Grow.
My friend Megan, from Chicago, is coming
to town to see her brother’s family for
Thanksgiving and is going to spend some
time here, at our home, as well!
Jo is driving up too so things will get
cozy around here for the next several days.
I’m so excited! Megan will be coming over
to my sister’s for Thanksgiving with Gary,
Jo and I. Anne’s totally cool with that!
Gotta love a sister who will find a spot
for 1 more! That makes 25! YIKES!
I was on call yesterday in the west for NILMDTS
and received 2 calls. The first one was at
Children’s in Minneapolis and the 2nd was
for the UofM Children’s. Very different losses
I was nearly sent away on the 2nd session due
to the fact that the father was pretty firm
on not wanting any photography. The mom insisted
on my services and so the father stepped out,
I entered the room, hopped up on the bed with
she and her son and granted her request.
As I left the room, I waited to make eye contact
with the father, nodded and mouthed the words
“thank you.” and he said “thank you.”
I hate that these losses occur but I am forever
grateful that God has given me the ability, the
talent and the support that I need to walk into
these families lives, at what must be the most
intimate of moments, and give them images that
will help them remember, mourn & heal.
On an up note…today is Kiki’s birthday!
She’s Owen & Reese’s mom, my brother’s wife.
I love her. Happy Birthday Kindra!
A late Saturday post.
I received a call for a NILMDTS session
this morning at 4am…of course I responded.
To Jacquie’s delight, I will not post any photos.
(you’re welcome!)
I was not on call nor do we typically respond
in the middle of the night but my phone rang
and I just couldn’t ignore it. Nor could I even
THINK about calling Matt Moses (who was on call
today)…and to Matt, you’re welcome! 
All went well. Slippery drive in the snow & all.
I returned home around 6:30 and could NOT get
back to sleep and of all Saturdays, this one
I scheduled several hair clients! UGH!!
Hence the nap later in the day.
I have some really terrific shots from a trip
to see Santa (with Reese & Owen) from Thursday
and I intend on posting them tomorrow.
I’m getting excited for the big gathering at my
sister’s on Thursday for Thanksgiving. Thanks Anne
for hosting, ALWAYS!!
BRRRRRRR.
He’s coming and there’s nothing I can
do about it! Old Man Winter!
See, now there’s a yucky thing named
after guys…take THAT!
Thanksgiving is a week away and I am
so excited for the craziness to begin!
With a big family and all the kids it’s
really more fun to just get together!
Fortunately, my family all lives near by.
We, sort of, surround our mother which is
nice too. No one has to travel any great
distance for anything. LOVE that.
Contrary to what’s being reported on the
news, we are not cutting back this year
due to the economy but more for reasons
of simplicity…no one really needs anything.
I’m going give outside of my family to
those that do. Gary and I have again committed
ourselves to not getting one another anything.
It’s just silly. I’m more of a little stocking
stuffer kind of gal anyway but now that Hobie
and Katie aren’t here…Boo may just end up
the winner here in this house!
I’d like to say that I’m going to try to
stay out of the stores in December but
the hustle and bustle of it all gets me
all revved up! Such as I love walking into
a mall and hearing a high school band playing
or choir singing Christmas Carols.
A great memory from my childhood is standing on
risers atop the covered fishpond at the 7hi
shopping center with my mom looking on, mouthing
the words of the song that I was singing!
“…silver bells…silver bells…”
WOW!
Leave me a special memory of yours from
Christmas’s gone by in the comment section
below. On December 22nd I will pick my
favorite and send you off a little gift!
Thanks.
Today…go ahead and get the whipped cream
on top! 
~~~
Driving & Diving.
My nephew, Ben, takes his drivers test today.
I’m so excited for him!
Then, he’s going to take his SCUBA certification
written exam. He’s going to beat me by a few days.
Ben and I will complete our certification down
in Mexico this winter because we kept postponing
our open water dives to the point where it’s just
too cold. No biggie, Ben and I are great dive
partners anyway so it’ll be another grand memory!
It is trying to snow again so it’s nice to talk
about diving and Mexico!
Gary got home at about 10 last night. That was a
long day for him, indeed. Hunting followed by
a 7 hour drive…ugh! So nice to have him home!
Poor Target only a $369 million profit last quarter! 
T-Wolves lose to Portland.
I got to see Greg Oden play last night.
He plays for Portland. I barely recognize
anyone on our team anymore. But to be
honest, I haven’t been following much
recently. Lots of empty seats.
I spoke with a gal last night about
arranging to get tickets for the Miracles
of Mitch Foundation. We need to act
fast cuz she’s going to join the Celtics
organization next Friday! :\
I also ran into Bill & Teri Popp.
I met them last summer at the Starkey Gala
where they were honored for their contributions.
I reintroduced myself and just said “hello.”
We hit Bellanote after the game (where I was
over served!). So many great people were there
last night! I had so much fun last night that
I felt the need to call R&C and apologize!
Boo knocked the remote off the headboard on to
my head this morning which simply translates to
“get up! feed me!”
Gary comes home today from pheasant hunting.
He called and said that they were going to stay
and hunt today and get home late. Usually they
skip hunting on this day and roll into town
around 3 or 4..looks like I may get a quick nap
in later today!
Well, that’s really it for now.
Thanks for checking in!
