Holiday travels

We’re back from our holiday travels and happy to see Ella.

We had such a good time visiting with everyone, it’s always wonderful to see our families and so nice that they currently live close to each other in Maryland!  We spent Christmas Eve with the Willard’s in Sykesville and Christmas Day with the LaFleur’s in Smithsburg.  Got to spread the love around… And we were lucky enough to get almost a week to spend with all of them.

Highlights of our holidays include:

Decorating the shed with lots of red lights while Terry, Butch and Julie were at church Christmas Eve.
Me shopping with my mom and sisters on Friday in the midst of crazy crowds.
Andy’s  Sykesville nature hike Friday with his siblings.
Playing with Aiden on his new slide/playset.
Pubbing in Hagerstown with Jessica, Kelly Marie, Anthony and Brandon at the Corner Pub.
Making pizza with my Mom, Dad and Kelly Marie.
Linda and Jim’s Holiday Party complete with a blues band to entertain us!
My Dad’s Seafood Gumbo.
Sunday lunch with my family including my Uncle Tom, Aunt Sharon and Cousin Andrew, so great to see them
Pizza with Anthony and Jess.  (we like pizza)
The Sykesville knitting circle and hope chest extravaganza.
Lunch at Pachango in Ellicott City with Terry and Butch.
Dinner at the Lovingston Cafe on our drive home.

Just to name a few… I’m including a few pics but for more click on our Flickr link .

Thanksgiving 2008

We revived our tradition of Friends Thanksgiving this year.  We started the tradition years ago as a dinner for friends who didn’t have family close by or wanted to try something different.  It has always been vegetarian with a turkey or two thrown in. (the turkey disappeared after awhile when everyone realized that Misha’s tofu was better   This is one aspect of what makes it so great because as vegetarians, being able to eat all the dishes is a treat.

What really makes it special is all the friends and family who have participated over the years.  We miss those who couldn’t make it this year, and we know you were here in spirit.  As the years pass, I realize how lucky we are to have such amazing people in our lives, friends who have become our extended family.

Participants: Kara, Andy, Misha, Kevin, Rebecca, Eric, Jett, Wylie, and Paul.
Menu:
Mushroom and Onion Pate with crackers, Butternut Squash Soup, Chicken Fried Tofu, Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Gravy, Green Bean Casserole, Macaroni and Cheese, 7 layer Salad, Pineapple Yams, Cranberry Sauce, Rolls, Brownies and Cranberry Pie. (Pumpkin Pie was a loser this year.)