Thanksgiving

I feel like it's so easy to skip over thanksgiving this year - and head straight into Christmas. Maybe it's becasue we aren't traveling for any holidays this year, so I'm especially excited about decorating our whole house (for the first time) for Christmas.

While watching an episode of Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Johnny Cash (guest staring) sang this song, which I'd never heard before. I really enjoyed it and hope you do to! It will end up as a Facebook status soon, I'm sure.

We've come to the time in the season
When family and friends gather near
To offer a prayer of Thanksgiving
For blessings we've known through the year
To join hands and thank the creator
And now when Thanksgiving is due
This year when I count my blessings
I'm thanking the Lord He made you

I'm grateful for the laughter of children
The sun and the wind and the rain
The color of blue in your sweet eyes
The sight of a high ball and train
The moon rise over a prairie
Old love that you've made new
This year when I count my blessings
I'm thanking the Lord He made you

And when the time comes to be going
It won't be in sorrow and tear
I'll kiss you goodbye and I'll go on my way
Grateful for all of the years
I thank for all that you gave me
For teaching me what love can do
Thanksgiving day for the rest of my life
I'm thanking the Lord He made you

St. Patrick's Day

We hosted a church St. Paddy's day party at our house on the lucky day. Here are a few shots. 

cute picture of Amy bearing gifts of green cupcakes

all of the kids had to sing for their cupcakes

some of the group inside

I painted their nails

I made corned beef and cabbage, with carrots and potatoes, green apple sauce, and green lemenade. We also had hot dogs, green mac-n-cheese, and green deviled eggs. I, of course, had my primed selection of Irish music playing throughout the area. We had about 12 adults and 10 children (all under the age of 10) in our house. It was a big crazy at times, but fun!

Photos from Europe

Here are a few photos that highlight our experience in Europe over Christmas and New Years. 

Star Wars pancakes for breakfast. 

Putting the Angel on top of the tree. 

Christkindlemarkt

Hohenschwangau Castle, Fussen, Bavaria.

Picturesque view - with a church in the very center.

Dave and I in front of Neuschwanstein Castle. 

Courtyard of Neuschwanstein.

John and I stringing popcorn.

Night sledding.

The Eiffel Tower at night in the fog.

Creme brulee!

Dave and I in front of Notre Dame, Paris. 

Interior of Notre Dame.

Dave in front of the Louvre pyramid. 

My two Thinkers.

In front of the gates of the Sun King's palace - Versailles.

Lunch - baguette, salami, cheese. We brought our own supplies.

Dave, at the Cluny Museum (Medieval Museum)
amongst the original heads of the 28 Kings of Judah from Notre Dame. 

Illuminated Songs.

The Lady and the Unicorn Tapestry.

Medieval Fighting guide. 

Dave and I in the elevator of our hotel going out for New Year's Eve.

Rue Cler post-festivities. 

Merry Christmas!

While I don't have the funds to send all my friends Christmas cards, please accept this e-card.