So much to be thankful for in 2008...our family...our friends...our health...our many many blessings...
Photo taken after the First Annual Baber/Venable Turkey Trot...
Randy was so cute...he was so excited to pull this little "prank" on my grandpa, who always carves our Thanksgiving turkey...as soon as Grandpa started, Randy snuck out to the garage and donned this getup...just to see Grandpa's face!! He came storming in, claiming, "This year, I'm going to carve the turkey!!" Grandpa got a kick out it...
Just wanted to share this cute one...I nabbed it off of Dronda's photos, I thought it was a cute one from our visit with them...
And now, for a run down of the rest of our trip:
11.25.08
Today, Randy joined us (he was deer hunting up til now) and we had another full day. First stop was for lunch at White Castle…ewwww…but, Chris loves it, and so it is a must-have on our yearly trips. After lunch, we headed to a different mall. Aspen was able to buy her “Channel” purse there, and I went ahead and splurged on my Coach purse. Merry Christmas from grandma and grandpa, with a little help from Chris’ half of the Christmas money…he’s so sweet to me. I didn’t want to use his portion of the Christmas money, but I also know him. If I wouldn’t have used the money now, he would have just spent it on me when he was doing his Christmas shopping for me. So. Got my purse and love it!! Also found a very pretty sweater that can be worn to work, and a great tiered skirt that was on super bargain. After all of our shopping, we headed to Casa’s for dinner with my McCarthy side of the family. It was nice getting to catch up with them all, a very enjoyable evening together. I forgot my camera in the car, but luckily Katie and Jason were taking some photos. I hope to get an email with them soon! :)
11.26.08
Today was an “open” day with no planned visits. We still managed to fill the day up quite nicely…all the driving and the traffic helps waste a lot of time, we aren’t used to that!! We did a few errands and then headed to Whole Foods…wowza. We definitely need one of those in Abilene. I loved that store. We had fun filling our cart with lots of healthy goodies. Everyone working there was super friendly, and everyone in the store was fit and slim. Can’t wait to try some of the goodies we bought. From there, we found a St. Louis Bread Company and had lunch and a little free internet time. We haven’t been able to get on the internet at my mom’s house, so had some catching up to do! From there, we spent some time on the car lots in town. Chris is looking for a new car and he has narrowed his choices down. But he still isn’t sure what he wants to get, so he did some test drives. The best part of the day was our delicious dinner at PF Changs with mom and Randy. So tasty. Mmmmmm.
11.27.08
Thanksgiving day…Chris and Aspen weren’t able to sign up in time for the Turkey Trot, so that was a no-go. Instead, they held the First Annual Baber/Venable Turkey Trot…Aspen, Chris, and Randy ran together around the neighborhood. A fun new tradition? I helped mom a bit with the Thanksgiving lunch, but it seems she likes working alone better. I was able to do a few things, and was put in charge of peeling the five pounds of potatoes. Lunch was delicious, and we had a good day with family. The boys played darts and when everyone left, we broke out the dice and played Farkle. Fun fun, and guess who won? Yup…moi!
11.28.08
Black Friday...were you out in the madness?? Not me. I was sound asleep...but, Aspen and Randy headed to Kohls for the 4:00 am opening, and got some bargains! Mom had to work until noon, and then we all met for lunch at Farachi's (sp?). Thin crust pepperoni and mushroom pizza, to die for. Then we all headed to the Transiberian Orchestra Concert...that was a good show. Lots of good music, fun with lazers and fire, and a good way to spend our last day together. Once we got back to the house, we fixed up some yummy snackies and put on some Christmas carols, and exchanged Christmas presents with my mom and Randy. We haven't been able to do Christmas together for many years now, so it was nice to be together when we opened (instead of receiving in the mail). Mom went with a "St. Louis" theme, for us to remember our wonderful family up in STL. Chris received a beautiful hand drawn painting of the St. Louis skyline, for his office. Aspen and I received the cutest down coats (mine white, Aspen's red) with the STL emblom on the chest. And Ocho received the cutest kerchief with STL...he looks so dapper! I'll try to get photos of all these things soon.
11.29.08
We almost came home with a new car...but the price wasn't quite right. Happily now, though, Chris has decided on the car that he wants to get. That is half the battle!!! He is currently looking on the internet to find some deals in Dallas...we got on the road around 11:00 am and spent the next 13 hours in the car...a long day for sure. And big kudos and lots of love to my sweet husband, who drove the whole thing.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!!!
p.s. A big GOOD LUCK to Randy as he begins a new chapter in his life on Monday...his first day at a new job!!!
Just wanted to share this cute one...I nabbed it off of Dronda's photos, I thought it was a cute one from our visit with them...
And now, for a run down of the rest of our trip:
11.25.08
Today, Randy joined us (he was deer hunting up til now) and we had another full day. First stop was for lunch at White Castle…ewwww…but, Chris loves it, and so it is a must-have on our yearly trips. After lunch, we headed to a different mall. Aspen was able to buy her “Channel” purse there, and I went ahead and splurged on my Coach purse. Merry Christmas from grandma and grandpa, with a little help from Chris’ half of the Christmas money…he’s so sweet to me. I didn’t want to use his portion of the Christmas money, but I also know him. If I wouldn’t have used the money now, he would have just spent it on me when he was doing his Christmas shopping for me. So. Got my purse and love it!! Also found a very pretty sweater that can be worn to work, and a great tiered skirt that was on super bargain. After all of our shopping, we headed to Casa’s for dinner with my McCarthy side of the family. It was nice getting to catch up with them all, a very enjoyable evening together. I forgot my camera in the car, but luckily Katie and Jason were taking some photos. I hope to get an email with them soon! :)
11.26.08
Today was an “open” day with no planned visits. We still managed to fill the day up quite nicely…all the driving and the traffic helps waste a lot of time, we aren’t used to that!! We did a few errands and then headed to Whole Foods…wowza. We definitely need one of those in Abilene. I loved that store. We had fun filling our cart with lots of healthy goodies. Everyone working there was super friendly, and everyone in the store was fit and slim. Can’t wait to try some of the goodies we bought. From there, we found a St. Louis Bread Company and had lunch and a little free internet time. We haven’t been able to get on the internet at my mom’s house, so had some catching up to do! From there, we spent some time on the car lots in town. Chris is looking for a new car and he has narrowed his choices down. But he still isn’t sure what he wants to get, so he did some test drives. The best part of the day was our delicious dinner at PF Changs with mom and Randy. So tasty. Mmmmmm.
11.27.08
Thanksgiving day…Chris and Aspen weren’t able to sign up in time for the Turkey Trot, so that was a no-go. Instead, they held the First Annual Baber/Venable Turkey Trot…Aspen, Chris, and Randy ran together around the neighborhood. A fun new tradition? I helped mom a bit with the Thanksgiving lunch, but it seems she likes working alone better. I was able to do a few things, and was put in charge of peeling the five pounds of potatoes. Lunch was delicious, and we had a good day with family. The boys played darts and when everyone left, we broke out the dice and played Farkle. Fun fun, and guess who won? Yup…moi!
11.28.08
Black Friday...were you out in the madness?? Not me. I was sound asleep...but, Aspen and Randy headed to Kohls for the 4:00 am opening, and got some bargains! Mom had to work until noon, and then we all met for lunch at Farachi's (sp?). Thin crust pepperoni and mushroom pizza, to die for. Then we all headed to the Transiberian Orchestra Concert...that was a good show. Lots of good music, fun with lazers and fire, and a good way to spend our last day together. Once we got back to the house, we fixed up some yummy snackies and put on some Christmas carols, and exchanged Christmas presents with my mom and Randy. We haven't been able to do Christmas together for many years now, so it was nice to be together when we opened (instead of receiving in the mail). Mom went with a "St. Louis" theme, for us to remember our wonderful family up in STL. Chris received a beautiful hand drawn painting of the St. Louis skyline, for his office. Aspen and I received the cutest down coats (mine white, Aspen's red) with the STL emblom on the chest. And Ocho received the cutest kerchief with STL...he looks so dapper! I'll try to get photos of all these things soon.
11.29.08
We almost came home with a new car...but the price wasn't quite right. Happily now, though, Chris has decided on the car that he wants to get. That is half the battle!!! He is currently looking on the internet to find some deals in Dallas...we got on the road around 11:00 am and spent the next 13 hours in the car...a long day for sure. And big kudos and lots of love to my sweet husband, who drove the whole thing.
Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving!!!!
p.s. A big GOOD LUCK to Randy as he begins a new chapter in his life on Monday...his first day at a new job!!!
3 comments:
Sounds like you had a great trip...lots of fun at home w/ family and good friends and good shopping to boot...glad it was a good trip and you had the time to get there!
Happy to hear that the rest of your trip was good. And all of the shopping! Isn't it amazing how we act like we haven't been to a mall in ages?!?!? When we go to a big city you have so mch to choose from! Glad you guys made it back safe and sound. By the way, my throat feels better.
I really enjoyed reading about your trip. It sounds like a wonderful time. I'm glad that you guys were able to do so much while you were there! I loved all the pictures as well.
Good luck to Randy! I am sure he will do great with his new job.
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