Bob and I had Alene (Buddys original mom) over with Jim and Susan so that Alene could visit with "our" boy. She hadn't seen him in a while and missed him so we had a very casual dinner get together and visited for the holidays.
I made a new recipe I found online for a chicken pizza with sundried tomatoes and basil leaves on a wheat crust.
Delish!




I've been wanting to give her a good picture of him for her home so I matted and framed this one for her. He's so handsome.
:)



We all headed out to Lux after for some cocktails and more visiting. It's so nice when Alene joins us ~ she's a sweetheart and she reminds us all the time how thankful she is that we adopted Buddy ~ and likewise, we are incredibly thankful that she gave us the blessing of having him.

Happy Holidays !

This is way over due (I've been trying to get through all the holiday orders for the business and finishing up the quarterly taxes, etc...ugh)

Our annual trip to the Carousel Mall in Syracuse NY (half way meeting place) to celebrate Carrie's BIRTHDAY!
Thank goodness for birthdays so that we can celebrate and have cake !
I was so excited to see them across the hall when they got there as they came looking for me. Group hug.
:)

We caught up sitting in our usual place by the carousel and windows with sunlight pouring in. Sometimes I have to catch my breath just looking across at them that they're sitting next to me in real life and not talking through email.

We wandered around looking in at the stores and catching up as we went. Eventually we made it to lunch and opened presents and had cake.

This is goofy, but original! One day Care asked me if there are days when you come home and you just need a little piece of chocolate ? Uh, YEAH !
So I made her a special chocolate tin just for her filled with Dove chocolates ~ they're the best, AND they have little sayings in the wrapper for her to ponder.
:)

I gave her a gift card to Ann Taylor Loft too so that she could pick something out while we were at the mall ~ it's one of her favorite stores.
This is an anniversary gift from Mick and I - her Wedding was this time last year too - it's 2 days after her birthday ~ it's a canvas easel with a picture of them dancing from the wedding, and Mickie's poem to her with some little embellishments.

We got her a gift certificate to the restaurant where the Wedding was too so that they can go back and enjoy a new evening there together and reminisce.
Mick got her a basket filled with doo dads for her trip to Las Vegas coming up ! Great idea.
After lunch, gifts and mmmmmmmmmm death by chocolate cake, we wandered around again looking for Christmas ideas and gifts. The mall there is great; they have SO many stores!
Here's Mick in the foot massager at Brookstone. We all tried it out ~ I loved it; it massages your whole foot and calf.

On our way out, I asked the photographer at the santa stand if we could get a snapshot of us with santa and he said Yes ! wow, ask and you shall receive.
Thanks!

The next time we see each other it will be to celebrate Mickie's birthday in early January! Counting the days already.
Happy Happy Birthday Care!
As I got back to Rochester Bob called to let me know he was going over to his mom's to put up her tree for her and asked if I wanted to join them for dinner.
Yes ! Italian!
:)
Visited, helped put the tree up


and helped Anna decorate while listening to Christmas music...very festive, very family.

Happy Holidays !

Thanksgiving day ~ over to Lillians for dinner. Everything was so festive and delicious ! It's so nice to spend time with family just hanging out and nibbling on all the tasty treats of the season. I spent most of my time playing with the kids - Ariana and Dan Dan, Danster Dan..etc. :)
Here's some of the bounty

After dinner, we relaxed in the living room to Spiderman 2.
I went back and forth with the kids between that and Charlottes Web.
Anna (Bob's mom) read to them here and there too



This is Dan Dan, Bob, Ariana and Lillian snuggled up on the couch

I was too busy playing and snacking to take pictures ...so that's the gist of them ~ Was such a great day, felt relaxed and was getting excited to see my dad the next day for a visit !
The next morning, we did some last minute cleaning while waiting for dad to arrive. I started getting the turkey ready to put in the oven ~ I didn't know it here in the picture but it's UPSIDE DOWN !
Seriously, can you tell just by looking at it here ?

:)
Well, I guess I couldn't and it got cooked upside down.
NOT to worry though, it came out splendidly. I swear by those Reynolds cooking bags - you just can't mess up and it comes out juicy every time ..mmmm !
Once dad got to our home, we took him for a walk down the new path on the Genesee riverway behind our house. We're so excited for it - it goes all the way to Charlotte beach and it's ON the water !



We walked pretty far, caught up on this and that, and headed back excited for the turkey to be ready and waiting for us when we got back.

Dad helped carve the turkey - this is when we realized it was upside down. We started carving it and there wasn't ANY meat coming off of it ... I couldn't figure it out ..where's all the meat ???
I kept staring at it, and then realized... oh my gosh - it's upside down !
We flipped it over and sure enough - turkey breast !
It was cooked SO juicy from being underneath!



Dig in !

After dinner, we lounged in the living room and caught up on Jurassic Park on tv for the gazillionth time ... until it was time to go to Jim and Susan's Party.
We brought some mini pumpkin cheesecakes that I made and a bottle of wine. Their home was beautiful as always. They have been working so hard on remodeling and updating it over the last year. The food was presented artistically as well and was delicious. I got to visit with everyone and introduce my dad ~ he was a HIT ! Go dad !
:)
Here's Jim and Susan, taking a quick break for a picture

Group Shot !

My "too cool for this party" dad

Group shot 2

Bob Mike and Jody

Me, Tracy, and Alene (Susan's mom- and Buddy's mom that we adopted from)

me, dad, and an exhausted susan at the end of the night

Thanks guys - GREAT get together ~ Thank you for everything!
Late night, went to bed when we got home
Up on Sunday; dad relaxing with a book and Buddy's keeping him company while I cook breakfast

We headed out to the Craft Antique Company first because I heard they had Dickens characters walking around and displays to look at.

After that, we got a quick bite to eat at Charlies Frog Pond on Park Ave and then headed to the Artisan Works.
It's a HUGE warehouse filled from floor to ceiling -literally of artwork. If you look closely , to the left of dad is a sculpture of a tree guy from Lord of the Rings!

We walked around looking at all the artwork - it's a lot to take in .. and they had the roof open too, so I brought him up there. I love the murals on the sides of the building - and High Falls was one of the first places I took Dad when he started visiting me in Rochester

Long day, so we headed back home after this, and relaxed again. We heated up the turkey leftovers and then met Anna, and Bob's brother Sam at Tinseltown to see
"Bobby". We all really enjoyed it ~ excellent. Anna invited us over afterward for coffee and dessert
Thanks Anna!

Another late night - dad hit the sack as soon as we got home ... me too....zzzzzzzz
Next morning, Oatmeal for breakfast - hearty and light at the same time...dad was ready to head home. We visited a bit more until he left. The visit went really fast, but I know how nice it is to head home too. Bye dad ~ I'm thankful for you every day - and loved having you out for Thanksgiving ~ see you soon!

It was a beautiful unusually warm day, so Bob and I decided to ride our bikes on the trail that we walked on with dad for part of Sunday. We rode all the way to the beach ~ there were so many people out and enjoying the path. We're so thankful to have it so close to our house!








That's it ~ I'll be back soon with pictures from the Carousel Mall in Syracuse - Celebrated Carrie's birthday!

Sue and I got together at her home Sunday for a visit. I haven't seen her since the summer and I can't believe in only 4 months how much Nolan has grown. He can even walk with her help ! He kicks the ball there in the picture and then walks up to it to kick it again !



We had a great time catching up on this and that ~ she has a crazy neighbor situation that just isn't fair, but was fun to talk about...we had a delicious spaghetti dinner; and caught up on things.

We played with Nolan before he was put down for bed and got a picture with him too !


I can't believe all the things that are out there to entertain babies. All the whoozits and whatsits and gizmos; so much fun!

Before bed, I gave Nolan a little present that he and daddy opened together





It was a very cuddly blue spotted dog that had a lullaby music box song inside when you pulled his tail.



Thanks for having me over Sue ~ It was so wonderful to see you and spend some time together. You and Kevin are so blessed with Nolan ~ I felt so special when I held him and when he looked at me, it truly took my breath away.

Love and Hugs to you both ~ I'll be in touch !

I did another bridal show this year ~ This time at the
Canandaigua Inn on the Lake just outside Rochester. I had less space than at last years show so my frames were squished.
: (



But got a lot of visitors and a winery that was there liked my work so much that they are going to put a link to my site on their page as a photographers reference. That's very exciting.





At the end of the show, the bakery that was in the room with us handed out samples for all of us to try since she couldn't take it all back with her ! Yay cake.
:)