A Whirlwind of a weekend

Some weekends there just isn't much going on. This wasn't one of those weekends! Thursday night, we had an ice storm [as did most of the Northeast]. I was convinced that I was going to have the baby in the midst of it all. It was nerve wracking to hear all of the popping and cracking and falling of the branches through the night. I was afraid, yet anxious to see the aftermath when the sun came up. One neighbor had a large branch fall on both cars in his driveway. Others just lost a ton of branches. Others have been without power since Thursday night/Friday morning ... and still are without. We were fortunate enough to not lose our power, but I kinda feel like we should turn off our lights so our neighbors don't get mad and throw pine cones and branches at the house. We'll compromise and turn half of them off !

Saturday night we drove around to see Christmas lights. We have a favorite house to check on. It reminds us of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation [Check it out below] ! While driving around you could the widespread damage from the storm ... and those still without power. It was 18 degrees last night. I wished I could do something to help. I noticed that National Grid trucks were still out last night too ... they were doing their part to help ... I don't think they got much rest this weekend.

Today, we went to Bellini's [my favorite restaurant in the whole wide world] for lunch. Gordon & Sue; Laura, Brian & Benjamin; Claude & Rebekah; and Sandy met us there too [Sawyer was under the weather, so he stayed home with his daddy]. Our waitress told us after our meal that they may lose power [anywhere from 10 min to 3 hours ... ah hello !] while National Grid tried to repair some lines. So, I asked her to bring a cappuccino STAT ... after all, that's half the reason I go there. I mean, if the power goes out and we can't pay our bill, fine. But, to not have their cappuccino, that is a major problem for me. Seriously, they make the BEST cappuccino ever !! Although, I heard today that Brian's dad makes a pretty mean cappuccino, so we'll see ... maybe Bellini's has met their match !

Here are some pics from the weekend.
Ice Storm






Christmas lights




Lunch at Bellini's

A weekend of Thanksgiving

This year, the whole family came for Thanksgiving **smile**. Sue was under the weather [to put it mildly], so Tuesday morning we decided that we would host the meal. Friday some of us went ice skating before we invaded Laura and Brian's for dinner [which was Mexican night, yum]. Today, Jim joined us for breakfast. Then, it was time for the 'out of towners' to begin their journey home. It went by so fast, we were sad to say goodbye. Here are some pics from the weekend. 'Til next time ... we'll miss you all.

ps. Sue, hope you're on the mend. We all missed you very much.

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.

Tomorrow is an important day ... May the best man win ...

Misc photos from the weekend

Friday night Jackson went trick-or-treating in our neighborhood w/ a group of friends.


A ghoulish welcome.


Jackson [a spy] and his friend Emma [the witch]


One VERY happy tick-or-treater ... mission accomplished !


Then, on Saturday we went to New Hampshire for a fall get-together. I made a comment on Sunday about the fact that I was being a slacker in the photo department ... and my pictures [or lack thereof] are the pathetic proof that I wasn't lying. Wow ... But, as Claude mentioned, its because I was enjoying myself. He's right.

The weather was perfect all weekend long. We ate and ate and ate some more. I think I gained 10 pounds [5 for me and 5 for the baby]. The baby was happy !! We also did one of my favorite things, which is hide-and-seek on the buggies, 4-wheelers and dirt bikes. The guys found time for a little football [there were a few minor injuries to report, nothing major]. The ladies chased the toddlers around and enjoyed our time catching up. They also surprised me with some baby gifts, which was totally unexpected [thank you again]. The kids played hard for two days straight and Jackson crashed as soon as we got in the car to head home. Thanks for another great weekend. I know it was a lot of work, but it was sooo much fun.

Here are some pics from the game of hide-and-seek: