Decorating

The boys came over on Sunday afternoon and helped me decorate.  I wasn't sure they'd want to do it this year but they did.  Every year I think may be the last but I'm going to enjoy it as long as possible!

First they set up the North Pole Village.  So many accessory pieces.

They very carefully place every piece.

Then they moved on to the nativity set.  Again, they carefully placed each piece.  This is the set I made in ceramics in 1972.

Then we tackled the tree.

My tree is mostly ornaments from our travels and each one brings back a fun memory.  I got a few new ones on my travels this year.

This one is from Key West.  So glad we visited Key West before the hurricane.

Then our trip to Michigan.

This one from Mackinac Island.

This one is a covered bridge that I bought in Frankenmuth, MI.

This one came from Portofino, Italy.  I really couldn't find an ornament in Italy that I liked but at least it's a memory!

The tree looked beautiful when we were finished.

I decorated the front porch too.

I think I'm done decorating!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving at Karen and Ronald's, as always, is lots of fun with lots of good food!  It's such a good family time, though we sure miss those who cannot be with us.

Our cook.

The carver.

Tons of good food and this isn't nearly all of it.  Karen makes the best dressing!

Heather loving this sweet baby Duncan.

Ben and cousin Morgan.

Emma Taylor doing what she loves to do...stay on her phone!

I took lots of pictures outside.  It was a chilly but beautiful day and Karen's yard is the perfect backdrop for pictures!

Courtney and Matt have a lot to be thankful for this year with the birth of Duncan.

He's such a happy baby!  They're thankful for that too!

Kaydee's family.

Precious Luke and Darby.

Karen's family, minus Karen and Ronald!

Karen's cute grands!

Morgan and her baby Captain.

And her sweet nephew Luke.

My family, minus Sam and Bowen.

Heather and Randy.

Ben and Cameron.

My cute grands, minus Sam and Bowen who were at their other grandmother's house.

The boys have so much fun playing in the woods.  We can hardly get them inside to eat!

Luke joined the big boys this year, though we don't let him go into the woods.

I'm so thankful for a family that has such a good time together!

Alex and Robin's Wedding

Karen and I drove to the Montgomery, AL area last weekend for the wedding of our great nephew.  Alex is my nephew Geary's son and Carolyn's grandson.

It was a 3:00 wedding held at the Elms in Coosada, AL.  It's an old plantation.

It was a beautiful setting and the theme was very rustic.

We walked through the front door and to the right was a room for gifts.

Just ahead was the guest book.

The cake was in a room at the back of the house.  Lovely presentation!

Also in that room was this large picture of Alex and Robin and little cards where you could write a "key to a happy marriage."  My "key" was "the wife is always right!"

The cake was two different flavors.  I think the piece I got was Italian Cream.  It was delicious!

We walked out to the back where the wedding was held.  Thankfully it was a beautiful afternoon.  There were a couple of times we though sure it was going to rain but all went well.

Tables were set up to the side of the chairs on the right.  Each table had a different centerpiece and each one was unique.

Singer/musician at the front played pre-wedding music.

The building to the right was where the buffet would be set up and dancing after the wedding.

Here comes the bride.  Robin was a beautiful bride and looked so happy!

Alex cried, I mean seriously boo-hooed when he saw her coming down the aisle.  It was very sweet!

The wedding service was very much a worship service.  Have you ever seen foot washing at a wedding ceremony?  It was a new one to me but also very sweet and must have been very meaningful to them.

Rings were exchanged.

Alex said this was the first time he had kissed Robin!  I think he liked it!

The new Mr. and Mrs.

Carolyn was escorted out by her two grandsons, Jonathan and Steve, who is the brother of the groom.

She looked so pretty!

We did a little mingling and I snapped some pictures while we waited for the bride and groom to have all their pictures taken.  We ate a few snacks too.

Drink station.  Sweet or unsweet?

Wine bar.

Groom's coffee bar instead of a groom's cake.

Morgan and her boyfriend Tyler.

Carolyn, Max and kids (Rick, Kathy and Geary).

Kathy and her kids, Jonathan, Josh and Claudia.

Geary and Lee, parents of Alex, are divorced but have a very good relationship.  This is Lee's husband, Doug, Lee, Steve, Lee's mom, Alex, Pam (Geary's friend) and Geary.

Time for dinner.

The first dance.

Leaving amidst sparklers.

The couple honeymooned in Cancun and hopefully are safely home today.

It was a wonderful family time.  We thoroughly enjoyed it!  I should have gotten more pictures!