Happy Birthday Grandpa Steve!!

We celebrated over the weekend... Grandpa, Mommy, and a Turkey - all in the same day!

While the adults are eating

The cousins make their own fun.

Fam'bly photos

What do folks think?  Should I Photoshop Uncle Patrick in?

More Turkey Weekend photos in the November 2012 Gallery - though not so many as usual...

Turkey Day!

Sylvie was happy to host a big crew for Thanksgiving this year - Mommy's whole side of the family made the trip, excepting Uncle Patrick - who was very much in our thoughts (and who managed to lob in a phone call!!)

A collect call from WHERE???!!!?

It would be hard to overstate how excited Syl has been to have her cousins in the house. This "snuggle on arrival" captures some of how she feels about it.

As I am still flying on one wing, so to speak, Zach took over responsibility for grilling the bird. And he didn't burn it. At all. The torch is passed. He is very satisfied with himself.

One of these is stuffed full of it. The other is a turkey.

BIG NEWS!

Aunt Amy arrived at Thanksgiving with some BIG news: The 'Bub made the best decision of his life and popped the question.  Wedding details TBD, but we're all super-excited to welcome him to the family.  Here's to Aunt Amy and soon-to-be Uncle Christian!

Happy Birthday Mommy!

We realize that there is something big going on in the rest of the country today... but here, on this blog, Mommy's birthday reigns supreme at least for tonight.

Happy birthday Melissa!

Here too rests Pax

I mentioned back in August in my doggy-obituary for our pal Pax that in his later years Pax discovered an affinity for hunting, courtesy our friend Brendan and his pal, Baxter. So much did all three of them enjoy their occasional early morning outings to the wilderness, in fact, that beyond Melissa and me I don't think anyone was so broken up by Pax's sudden passing as was Brendan.

So after we got Pax's ashes back and scattered most of them in his favorite places around the yard, we gave some of them to Brendan. Pax was such a free-spirit, and we were so consistently amazed throughout our 11 years with him by his ability to maintain (seriously!) relationships entirely independent of us, that it seemed appropriate for some of  him to rest away and independent from us.

Last week Brendan and Baxter went out pheasant hunting in a nearby nature preserve. Brendan sent this photo of the tree where Pax and Baxter always like to pause, drop a marker, and perhaps loll in the grass for a few minutes during their hunts. Some of his ashes are there now. Sentimental, I know, but I love this. And it showed me that three months on I can still get a moist eye for our departed buddy.

School photos

These are pretty cute, but i will admit to being a bit disappointed at the lack of a traditional, cheesy-background shot.

Sylvie's Spooky Fifth - Video

The Haleys

Sylvie's art at dinner tonight.

Five years ago today...

The big 4-0

Rounded the corner to 40 today, and though it definitely has more of a milestone feel than any birthday since 21, and though I am in somewhat less than top physical condition just now, I am one contented 40-year-old. Lots of reasons, but the two most important ones are sitting next to me...

Great time celebrating with the O'Learys at my favorite Italian joint.

Trick or treat!

I manned the fort this year while Melissa took our little flower fairy out for candy.  Thanks to Nicha for the in-progress photos!