Friday

Well Thursday was the coldest morning here in many moons. It dropped to a low of 39 and by late afternoon we saw some 60's, yet the sunshine was in abundance with a breeze. We started the day much the usual with a roll out around 6'ish despite the rec being closed for the next 2 days. My internal alarm has me awake before 6 for some reason. Since I use to work shift work I'm surprised all of sudden I'm unable to sleep in. I think being back in a neighborhood where there is all kinds of vehicle traffic as well as sirens throughout the night doesn't help whereas at the cabin its so quiet, oh well.

After a cup of hot green tea and a few quiet moments to give thanks and lift up those we know who have physical needs we started the day. I had a grapefruit for breakfast while Nancy did her oatmeal and banana. I ventured outside after posting this ramble to be met by really damp cold air. With 2 shirts and a jacket on I hand watered the gardens and while in the sunlight it wasn't too bad but once I headed into the shaded portions of the yard yikes it was much colder. The windows in the house were all steamed and had water condensed on them so much so I had to take a towel and dry them. The frames are made of aluminum and each time it get really cold they condense the moisture to pools along their base.

Nancy was making a spinach dip as well as a pecan pie and a couple pitchers of sweet tea for the big get together at Bobby's later in the afternoon. We headed out around 1:30 to pick up GG and then I drove her car so it could get some travel time on the battery as it just normally sets for weeks. It's a fine driving vehicle and gets great gas mileage, anyhow we got there around 3 PM. Bob and Jill had the tables and house decorated exquisitely. The turkey smell emanated throughout the house and Annsley and Gabe were excited as well to see all of us. It wasn't long before Amy and family arrived and the girls went off on their own to play. The boys entertained one another out on the back patio/porch with cars.

It was close to 4:30 before sat down to eat a gorgeous tasty meal of; roast turkey with a gourmet gravy prepared by chef Bobby, GG made her dried stuffing as well as candied sweet taters, Betsy made her spinach casserole, Susan and Brian made smashed taters, green bean casserole an apple pie and candied pecans and Nancy made the spinach dip to munch on as well as the pecan pie to go along with Amy's 2 pumpkin pies and Errol made homemade rolls Bulgarian style they brought with them from Miami. Well needless to say we had more than enough and the plates were cleaned as the tastes were awesome. There was some fruit of the vine to accompany the munchies as well as the entrees.

We headed out around 8PM for Seminole as we were having lots of yawns due to the full bellies. Betsy and Braden left around 7 as she wanted to get to some store for a special. We noticed on the way back the stores and malls in Tampa were jammed packed with shoppers as well as the interstates looked like run hour traffic. We stopped and traded vehicles at GG's and then we headed on home. Arianne and Errol were still at Bobby's when we left and The Ross Family was fixin' to leave as well. GG fell asleep on the way home. Gabe was tuckered out with all of the excitement as he was ready for bed before we left. Ava and Annsley are like 2 peas in a pod as they play so well together and we hardly saw or heard a peep from them the whole time we were there. The boys with the addition of Jackson played quite well together along with Tess who is quite young. She is just a tiny thing but played right in there with the boys. We men watched a little football as well.

Well it was good to make this family tradition supper each year at Bob and Jill's. The food was awesome as usual and the conversations are enlightening. We had 15 adults and 6 kids this year and will add another next year with Amy's new little. We are excited and curious with anticipation to know whether it will be playing with the girls or boys. Nancy and I have so much to be thankful for as both Amy and Bobby have great spouses who are family orientated and who make the LORD a priority in their homes, LATER