Christmas

In order to de-stress my Christmas season this year, I'm starting my holiday shopping now, with the goal of having everything packed and mailed to the U.S. by the end of October. My first area of shopping will be Polish pottery. What I need from all of you is to email me at our Yahoo address if you would like some and a general idea of what type of piece (bowl, platter, pitcher, mugs, lasagna pan, etc). If I don't hear from you within the next few days, I'll take that as a subtle hint, "No, thank you, Debbie, I don't care for Polish pottery."

If you do know what you'd like for Christmas, please don't be bashful; email me some ideas because I'd really, really like to get you something that you want. I know a lot of us are being more thoughtful about how we spend our money and many are trying to de-clutter our homes so I want to respect that.

Despite the fact that I am beginning my holiday preparations, my quirky rule about no Christmas carols allowed in my aural presence before Thanksgiving is still in effect!

Pre-wedding Hot Dog Roast

Thursday evening, Don and Eileen hosted a wienie roast at a local park. They supplied all the food and drink and opened the event to all Burkes, Mallinsons, Marchands, and Manglasses that had arrived already for the wedding. We even caught a quick glimpse of the bride and groom as they frantically raced from event to event. Above, Rose and Ann catch up because they haven't seen each other since...Tim's promotion to colonel?

Tim, Debbi, Eileen, and Don- I think three of them are looking at pictures on Debbi's camera. Look at Tim's hot runner's legs!

Lou (Lisa's father), Tom, and Doug roast their wienies, so to speak.

Chris and Shane, who rode down from NJ with Martha and Kevin. The physical similarities were amazing!

Doug instructs Ethan in the intricacies of assembling his first s'more.

Kelly, Bridget, Katy, and Michael roast marshmallows.

Fuddruckers- mmmmm!

While we were on vacation in the States, we each had a turn choosing a restaurant. Michael chose IHOP, Katy chose Papa John's Pizza, and Kyle picked Texas Roadhouse. I don't remember where Tim wanted to eat (Boston Market?). Fuddruckers is always my choice. The Wednesday before the wedding we invited everyone who had arrived so far to meet us at Asheville's one and only Fuddruckers.

Tom and Rose had just arrived after the two-day drive from Florida.

Ann also arrived this day while Debbi, Doug, and the boys had arrived on Sunday (?). Inbound much later were Chris, Maureen, and the girls, as well as Kevin, Martha, and Shane. I think Bev and Jeanette came in the next day. Don and Sue drove down on Friday.

Doug ordered the one pound burger because he thought Tim was getting one, too. Evidently the sentence, "You should get one" uttered by Tim was interpreted by Doug to mean, "I'm getting one so you should, too." Doug was not pleased but he finished it with gusto!

Don and Eileen, who luckily was able to convince Don that a cabin was much preferable over a tent for a weekend of wedding festivities.

Katy and Grandma Ann.

Does the Squabbling Never End?!

Even at a wedding those Burke kids don't know how to behave! Bev and Martha are ganging up on Chris and Tim looks like he's crying. Way to set an example for the younger generation.

Upon closer inspection (click photo to enlarge), Tim has apparently lost his mind and Bev is copping a feel! Your parents must be so proud!

Note: In case it's too subtle, this is a JOKE.

Random Irresistable Wedding Cuteness

I have so many wedding photos that I just don't know where to start. Plus, our internet connection sucks so it's agonizingly slow to upload pictures. I thought these three were cute- the wedding cake topper, the tiny baby bunny that was being cared for at the wedding site, and the four loveliest (and palest!) children on the planet.

Yum! Yum!

It's that time of the year again, time for the annual embassy blueberry picking trip. Last year's haul lasted us only through May so this time, I wanted to get enough to keep us in pancakes and muffins for a full 12 months (blueberry muffins are Kyle's carb of choice for fueling him during the cross-country season).

This is just a tiny portion of the 30 pounds we took home (well, minus the pound I ate on the drive home-- not a good idea as I found out later).

Kyle doesn't believe in wasting time on the picking step.

First Day of School

I'm a little late posting this since school started three weeks ago but here it is, my 23rd first-day-of-school photo. Only six more to go. Only one more with Kyle, sniff, sniff.

Who is this??

Click to enlarge and then tell me who is in this picture. Go ahead, click, I'll wait.

Good, you're back. Now, is that Ryan or Kyle?! The back of the head and the pose are pure Ryan but.......it was Kyle who went to Chimney Rock that day.

Continuing today's theme of odd views of Kyle's head, check out the next post.

???

Who removed Kyle's head and then dropped it onto Katy?? How weird is that???