Hello from Kansas.  I promised Aunt Sue I would update the blog and have been behind.  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving at Joe and Debbie's in St. John.  Everyone was there with the exception of a few.  They did a turkey that was so delicious - I couldn't stop from eating it as Joe was carving it up. Cathey made the stuffing and it was really good - from Grandma's recipe so I asked for the recipe and failed to write it down so I imagine I'll be better prepared at Christmas.  Sandy made the pies and the coconut cream was to die for - reminded me of my mom's coconut cream pie that she used to make for my dad.  All the young kids had fun playing on Joe's pool table, playing video games with JR and Joshua and just being kids.  Debbie's dogs, Roxie and Oliver were a hit with Kaitlyn and Ellie.  Ellie could have carried them around all night.  Rosie came with us and it took her and Roxie awhile to reacquaint (Roxie is Rosie's mother and Oliver is Rosie's brother).  Oliver and Rosie played like siblings throughout the evening.  Grandma Felin is doing really good - Ellie was so excited to see her.  I think Ellie asked me everyday for a month when we were going to see Grandma Felin.  Of course, both girls came home with a treat from Grandma's.   Kaitlyn is talking a lot more now and loves to do whatever Ellie is doing so she had a hard time keeping up with the big kids.  Uncle Gary is so good with the kids - as we were leaving, Uncle Gary was carrying Ellie and she asked him to take her to the car.  Kaitlyn is still afraid of Uncle Joe....Ellie was too at her age. 

Besides dinner at the Hearn's we did a lot of driving and lots of shopping on Black Friday.  We shopped from 730pm Thanksgiving night until about 730am the next morning.  The stores seem to open earlier and earlier and it seems as though people are not able to enjoy the day with their family as they are so worried about getting their place in line at the stores. I hope they change things up next year but I don't foresee that happening.  We got a lot of great deals and we finished up our shopping this past weekend.  The house is all decorated and John is finishing lights tonight.  I was sick with a few different ailments last week so we didn't get much done at all until recently. 

John got back from a trip to Germany for Hallmark.  He brought back a few goodies and gets to go to Detroit this Thursday.  I do a Detroit work trip every year and winter is definitely not the time to go.   As promised....here are some pictures.  Better start wrapping presents.  We are buying Christmas presents for 7 foster kids this year - it has been a good experience, especially for Ellie.  Happy Holidays!

Kaitlyn with headphones on the kitchen bar



 Ellie and Kaitlyn's Gingerbread house

 Ellie can clean a chicken leg - just like her daddy

 Ellie and Rosie on our way to St. John

 Ellie and Kaitlyn decorating their little tree

 Kaitlyn and Chloe playing pool with Uncle Gary

 Kendi and Grandma

 Scary Uncle Joe in his bar

 The 3 greatest Aunts in the world

 Sandy, Debbie, Grandma, Cathey

 The Great Grandkids and Grandma

Ryan, Ellie, Kaitlyn, Chloe, Fain

 The Moore's with Grandma

Ellie with Oliver, Rosie's Brother 

 Jarrod, Sandy, Cassandra

 Karen and Ryan with Grandma - Carson was sick

The Hearn's

JR, Debbie, Joe, Martesia, Sabrina, Briana, Joshua, Thad and Joshua's girlfriend 

 The Johnson's

Gary, Cathey, Fain, Chloe (Bill's daughter), Kendi and Clint