Thanksgiving 2012

Our second big trip with our new van was down to Dallas to see Rick's parents and family for Thanksgiving.  Aundrea and Andrew as well as Rob came down so everyone was there but Dave, who is deployed.  We were able to skype him Thanksgiving Day and were so glad Aundrea and Andrew came.  Tracy flew up to help me and the kids drive down early.  We were there for a week.  The kids loved playing with Emily and cousin Andrew.  

Here is Rachel and Aaron playing with "Big Andrew" just to distinguish the two Andrews.

Here is Aundrea and I on Thanksgiving partaking in all the food we didn't have to make!

Here is Uncle Matt with Anson, Andrew and our cousin Ava at Thanksgiving dinner.  He was kind enough to share his room and bathroom with so many of us that week.

 We were so glad with Rick caught up with us on Wednesday so he could help wrestle the troops.

 

  Rachel was so glad to have some snuggle time with her Uncle Rob.  He's going to make a great daddy some day but in the mean time he's a great Uncle.

 We even snuck in a trip down to Houston to see Ashley's family before Rick got there.  

 We loved seeing Ashley in her home.  We are due on the same day but couldn't be more different in size.  Hmmm...who is going to go first!

It was a great road trip and we had a lot of fun with Grandma and Grandpa DeMille, Nana, Emily, Matt, 7 dogs all those who joined us for Thanksgiving dinner.  Grandma and Grandpa really wanted a grandkid photo for their Christmas cards but we had some non-cooperators.  Maybe next time!  Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Brinks, Hofer, Gilson, and Lione Homecoming

So before the great recession started Rick's work would hold a Prom every other year and invite all the attorneys and their spouses/dates to a formal event in Chicago.  We went to one of these when I was 7 months pregnant with Rachel.  It was hard to find a dress to fit then.  This year they again had an even that found me prego looking for a semi formal event.  The thing is Rick is a lawyer and so is everyone he works with.  This makes a semi-formal event FORMAL.  I looked everywhere for a dress but most stores have put their pregnancy section online.  You can't see them or try them on.  And because I knew I'd probably only wear this dress once I didn't want to spend a lot of money on it.  So after looking every where I found one online.  Mom helped me look for a dress and drape.  I ended up getting my hair and makeup done professionally as well.  I felt all dolled and pampered when we left. 

We decided to spend the night in Chicago so we didn't have to drive home late.  Diane and Dennis spent the night with the kids while we were gone.  So as in true tradition for me the commute took us 2 1/2 hours to get into Chicago and to the hotel.  We quickly checked in hurried over to the event.  We made it to the last few minutes of cocktails and then we went to dinner.  The tables were arranged for us to sit at certain ones.  We found our places and sat when I noticed an older couple sit right next to us.  Older couple in lawyer term means more seniority.  These people look like they could have retired a long time ago so very senior.  When they started they acknowledge Gerry Gilson for helping sponsor the event.  Guess who was right next to me, Gerry Gilson and his wife, Jamie!  It was a little overwhelming to be next to such an important person.  His wife is also an author of some 20+ kids books.  We had a lovely evening with them.  It was a great night out, a little scarey but it was nice to get to know the people Rick spends so much time with.