Cold Turkey

Thanksgiving Day 2010

 What a long, fun-filled day it was!  We started bright and early in the morning, heading to Margie & Charlie's house for their annual Thanksgiving day breakfast! 

 They had a full house with all the kids & grandkids, plus assorted friends & family!

 Then it was our turn to play host to our regular crowd for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner!  I made my always-popular Pumpkin Soup & a few other side dishes on Wednesday so I could leave the kitchen free for Tommy.  He does the bird, stuffing, potatoes, mashed Rutabaga, & creamed onions!
Of course my mom also made her famous Salad! 

 Rachel kept herself occupied throughout the day... Here she is practicing spelling her name with her magnetic letters!

Next it was time for our newest tradition... Margie took some awesome family shots for us.  Look for them soon!  I will try to get them done & in the mail before the holidays are over!

 Dinner went off without a hitch!  Everyone enjoyed the meal AND the entertainment!  Rachel is ALWAYS a source of giggles for the crowds!  She is SO funny!

 We love having our friends & family with us for Thanksgiving every year.  I am so glad we started this tradition since we moved into the house 8 years ago!

 Besides celebrating Thanksgiving, Rach also got her first birthday presents a little early!  Since we will be up north for her 3rd birthday this year (which also happens to be the 2nd night of Hanukkah!), her Nana & Papa decided to give her a couple of her presents now!  She was SO happy to get her very own suitcase with Dora & Boots on it!  And she got some cool new PJ's too!

And here is the best little thing we are all so Thankful for... She is our very favorite little present!!!

Birthday Boy

Today we spent the afternoon at little Christopher's 1st birthday party!  Rach had an absolute blast, playing with the kids, swimming in the little pool, and of course, eating CAKE!

 The birthday boy!  Looking just as cute as could be!  We just LOVE those blue eyes!  He's gonna be a real wolf, right?

My little princess having fun swimming with all the boys! LOL  

She was very fixated on the opening of presents. So proud of her because she didn't try to swipe any of the gifts! LOL...

Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon

What a special time we had!  It was Juliette's Bat Mitzvah, and it was absolutely wonderful!  Rachel & I were both SO honored to be asked to participate in the Havdalah service after the ceremony.  I held the Havdalah candle, and Rachel carried the spice box to all the guests in the first row, and then held it HIGH above her head when Cantor Ann told her to!  She did an AMAZING job!  Unfortunately, we have no pictures from the ceremony itself, but naturally we took plenty of shots during the party after! 

 Steven & Alain couldn't make it in from France, but through the miracle of modern technology, (aka SKYPE) they were able to attend via computer!

 Rachel with the Bat Mizvah girl!  My beautiful Juliette (apparently her new BFF)

 Our Happy Family shot!

Papa was a Rolling Stone

 Tonight was my dad's birthday, so we went out for an impromptu dinner at what is now his favorite Chinese Buffet (since our REAL favorite Chinese buffet closed for good over the summer... ).  78 years young and still partying!  Rach had a great time but was very upset that when the waitresses & manager came to sing Happy Birthday, her mouth was full and she couldn't sing along! LOL...

The restaurant also took a  video, so I've included that too... It was kinda funny!  We also discovered Rachel's new favorite is Green Tea Ice Cream!  not sure if its the flavor or the color that she really likes best!