Thanksgiving...

What a difference between Thanksgiving 2008...

and Thanksgiving 2009.
We spent a few days with Nana and Granddaddy this year, along with Uncle Greg and Aunt Jenny (and Jenny's dad, Doug). The trip down was a slight improvement over recent trips in the car, however the trip back home more than made up for it. Yo Gabba Gabba ( http://www.yogabbagabba.com) is a very good attention holder for a while, but DJ Lance and the gang can only do so much. And prayers for sanity and strength for the duration of the trip are in abundance, and also unanswered. :) As a side note, 1-35 North has seen the last of us. Worst stretch of highway I have personally ever traveled, and that includes many trips through Atlanta and DC, plus daily commutes in Dallas.

She had a very good first Thanksgiving dinner, eating a bit of green bean casserole and macaroni, but she mostly wanted the turkey (fried of course), and was not a big fan of dressing (yet).

While there we took a trip over to see Billy and Sandra's alpacas, and Riley was quite intrigued. To her they were probably big dogs. :) I wanted to bring one back but mommy usually doesn't approve of my endless list of wanted animals (tiger, cheetah cub, cow, goat, alpaca, monkey...this could take a while so let's leave it there for now.)

This has been a good few weeks for her as far as cake goes. She was able to enjoy a bit of mine and Uncle Greg's birthday cake. One thing is certain: When it comes to cake, she does not disappoint as far as the much anticipated mess everyone hopes for.

Finally, she resumed one of favorite activities: climbing the stairs.

Eventually we ended up moving Raider's carrier to block the steps. If not, the better part of our days would have been spent following her up the stairs, then carrying her back down so that she could go back up. Rinse. And repeat!


It is hard to even imagine all the changes we will see this time next year. But with another Thanksgiving behind us and another year headed toward the finish line, we are very thankful and blessed for having Riley in our lives. We are thankful for all of our family in TX and SC...and the other states too!...but we can't name them all. :) Thankful for two loving sets of grandparents and a loving Aunt and Uncle. Last but not least, very much thankful for Papa's health and recent positive prognosis as his treatments start tomorrow...oddly enough on my birthday...and will end on New Year's Eve just in time to ring in a healthy 2010.