http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/12/5-steps-to-making-new-years-resolutions-happen/

The 12 DOG DAYS of Christmas; written by Karen & Greg and performed by Daniel for Nina

I have been an awful "blogger" this last month... so I offer an apology to anyone out there who is actually try to stay up to date with our family via this site.  I think I'll post a lot of photos and see if I can tell about our last month through pictures.
http://karensphotosfrom2009.shutterfly.com/#editPictures:albumId=3043

We had Thankgiving at our house ON Thanksgiving Day,Greg FRIED up his first TURKEY!  He also smoked another turkey since we had a house-full.  I loved having so many people here.  It was awesome!  Our neighbors, the Lander family (Adam,Laura,Braden,Camden & Payton), joined us along with Andy, Lindsey & Lennox Turcotte, and Grammy & Grampy Turcotte. 

That afternoon, after my crew of guests had thoroughly helped in the cleaning up (which I thought was very generous!), all of us but the neighbors drove down to San Antonion to stay with Lindsey's folks, as well as her brother Gavin and his family. 

That night, we all watched the A&M VS. UT game... and revived after our "depression" by Black Friday shopping at MIDNIGHT at Old Navy.  Well, 5 of us went out that is... It was pretty fun, but I don't think Greg's going to make it a regular tradition.

That next day, Greg and I took our kids to the River Walk in San Antonio, and we had absolutely PERFECT weather for a day outdoors - 70 degrees or so from dawn till dusk. 

We met up with the relatives for lunch at Casa Rio and although the wait for the food was long, it was deeeeeelicious and a good time of fellowship!

Update on us:  November is upon us and I am so glad it is!  I LOVE NOVEMBER!!!  While I enjoy SaraKay's birthday being in Oct., I don't like Halloweeny stuff very much.  It gets Daniel all hyped up because it's so stinkin' commercial.  Our kids did trick or treat this year in our new neighborhood, but we didn't make a big deal out of it.  It was innocent, done early, and enjoyable.  And while we attended our church's fall festival, the highlight of that event was volunteering alongside all our small group members, stuffing and packaging the hot dogs that were served free to guests.   We even took a neighbor kid along with us.

I'm always thankful when November 1st arrives and this year I'm looking forward to hosting our entire TEXAS family here at our new home for THANKSGIVING.  I cannot FIND a tote of my Thanksgiving goodies to put up, but oh well.  Oh shucks. Maybe next year.... we'll be frying up a turkey this year.  Relatives are bringing sides and desserts.  Grammy's going to make PUMPKIN PIE whoopie pies this year - yay!  I feel a new tradition coming on for the Turcotte family with that dessert!


Greg, the kids, sister-in-law Adele and 15 yr. old Stephanie went to Dewberry Farms this past Saturday.  Adele sent me a link for a GROUPON for it.  We're all a little sniffly now, but it was a fun outing with the extended family here in Houston.  Here's some pics of it:

The four of us had an awesome time this weekend with new friends from Cypress Bible Church too. Dawn and Bill invited us over to bbq Saturday night (no pics, sorry) and then we had lunch together as small group families after service and class on SUNDAY.  Here are a few more pics.  Don't we look lovely with Potbelly Sandwiches and root beer bottles making their appearance in every photo?  LOL