I just finished reading The Shack by Wm. Paul Young.  If you only read one book this year, make it this one.  DeEdra asked me to read it so we could talk about it together and I normally read books pretty quick, but in between my American history, editing pictures and doing things around the house, it took me a little longer than normal to read it.  I will be reading it again as soon as my class is finished and I am caught up on my work around here.  So why am I blogging it?  Because the Missy Project.  In the acknowledgement it states if you have a website or blog consider sharing a bit about the book and recommend that it is read….  so here it is.  The book is about relationships; relationships that are formed through family, friends and God.  It is also about  judgement, redemption and forgiveness.  It is beautifully written and I felt myself getting answers to questions I have often wondered about…  like; where is God when tragedy happens?  I carried the book with me when I went to my parents when my Dad had is surgery this month.  More people stopped me and said how much they loved the book.  We have talked about it at work and I have a whole list of people waiting to read mine now that I have finished it.  I got mine at Wal-Mart for about 10 bucks….  this is the season for gift giving, and this book truly is a gift, one that will have many “outbound ripples”.   Read a preview at www.theshackbook.com

Thanksgiving is our family’s favorite holiday.  We love it because it is all about family and food (we love us some food and my Sweety is an amazing cook).  Here are some highlights of the day….

It all starts with the food….

and most important family….  (we miss you Trina, Mike, Angela, Leon, John Boy and Maegan)

Happy Thanksgiving from ours to yours….. 

4 separate families all at once…  and it was a piece of cake.  Even the little one of the group was fantastic (and adorable BTW) 

and were done!

Thanks guys, I had big fun.

I cannot get over how much these two look a like….  and I have to say they are gorgeous.  Dana (Mom) and Kaylee spent some time with me at the falls yesterday and I have to say that little girl can work a camera.  She is just beautiful and loves her Mommy!

Can she be any cuter??

Today we spent the part of the day getting some of the yard work done.  The leaves are really falling now and the pecan trees have been busy filling our yard with dead leaves.  Although the trees are still dropping them we decided that we needed to at least try to get a handle on it.  Even though he is growing up fast, there is still a lot of “boy” in Sean.  He helped out with the raking….  but just could not resist the leaf pile…

There’s no place like gnome…..

This one looks a bit like Jack Nicholson to me…. 

Hope your weekend is great!

Last weekend I took pictures of Tommy and Amanda who are getting married in March.  They were so cute, they spent the day before driving around downtown finding the places that they wanted their pictures taken.  Here are just a few….

BTW, well done Tommy..

and great shoes Amanda

I think this is my favorite

We made our way around downtown and Tommy even did his good deed for the day and helped a lady load a dresser while we were taking pictures….  what a sweety and what a sweet couple.  Congratulations you guys!

I am going to start this blog with an explanation. I know all too well that Texas is very proud of its high school football and although I live in Henrietta, I must also show my support for the Rider Raiders….   Why?  Because of Cole Vitolo.  I have been friends with Coles parents going on 15 years now and have watched him and his sister grow up.  (You will remember Alex from an earlier blog)  I was thrilled to be able to watch Cole play in his last 2 home games ever at Rider High.  He is a senior this year and will be headed off to college soon.  I know you hear some people say negative things about the “younger generation”, but Cole and his friends are great kids who would make any parent proud.     Here are some pictures from the Rider/Little Elm game….

This is Cole #59 he plays center

I love this picture… 

School spirit….

Ok, every time they score a touch down , these kids do push ups.  After the first score I watched them count out the 7 push ups.  It took me a few more TD’s to realize that they did push ups for every point earned…  by the end of the first quarter I am pretty sure they wanted their team to take a break.

Another run towards the end zone….

ROHO

The final score of the game

These are from the Old High/Rider game.  I love how the kids get together prior to running through the banner.  They make this big circle and it is almost intoxicating to watch them chant and rock side to side… 

No game is complete without cheerleaders

at half time the Dads got to “perform” with their daughters…  don’t let them kid ya, the Dads had a blast

Doesn’t she look like her Daddy?

I will close by saying that the kids at this school, (not just the athletes) love their coach..

It does have a nice ring to it…..  Way to go Cole and Rider Raiders, I hope you make it all the way to win State!!!!

Just because I love him…. 

This was Gages first Holloween, and since he is only 3 months old there was no real trick or treating.  That did not stop him from being the cutest frog ever…

Of course his Mommy is planning ahead, Christmas is just around the corner…

He was in such a good mood today we took a few more just for fun.  The first two are my favorites…

Ashleigh took a few also,

He is such a happy baby, we can’t wait to see again.