Thanksgiving 2011

It is now the Sunday following Thanksgiving and I am just now getting around to the blog! I guess it takes me longer to recover these days :)
We had a fabulous family time and certainly all have much to be thankful for, every day. This year a beautiful baby girl was added to our number. So happy to have baby Makenzie here to celebrate with us!

Such a beautiful babe!

Guess it would be hard for her not to be with parents like this! Sure do love them all!

Seems like not long ago their mommies were babes in arms. Now they have girls of their own to enjoy together. I hope Madelyn and Makenzie are close like their mommies. They are just about the same difference apart in age and share the same initials too! M.K.M.

These two will join parenthood next! We can't wait as they've kept us in suspense with the baby's gender and name! It will be worth the wait come the end of January 2012. What a fun time of life for everyone!

We learned (officially) that David & Holly are expecting in May 2012. Could not be any happier for them and know they will continue to make us proud as they become parents themselves!

Meg and Ryan are the ole pros at parenting and still both in one piece - ha!

Collin was around and about but not quite feeling 100%. I did manage to get this picture of him later in the evening. Love this boy who is so full of life!

Very grateful that Ed & Sheryle have been willing to make the trip to MI to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. Sheryle is my second hand in the kitchen!

I managed to get these shots of Nick and Trevor but somehow Joe escaped me so I'm adding a family shot I took of them with Mom this past summer when we were all together on Cape Cod. These boys have all turned into fine young men. Proud of them and thankful, too, that they made the drive to be with us!

Dick provides the comic relief and the meal would not come together at the end without Barb's able assistance!

Couldn't remember the last time we saw this handsome dude. Hard to believe he is in his senior year of college! He is one great kid!

Kelly looked BEAUTIFUL and I kicked myself for not getting a picture of her dolled up and then in her scrubs before she got away. She is our nurse and left early to go care for the needs of others. I know she went with a good attitude and more than likely made someone thankful when she flashed her beautiful smile that always shines so brightly. Proud of her accomplishments!

Gran Fran is hanging in there! I wouldn't say she's going strong but she's going. Thankful for the good health she's enjoyed for over nine decades!

And last, but not least, this holiday would simply not happen without the help of my life mate! Thanksgiving is his favorite holiday because he truly enjoys being together with all the family. He enjoys the turkey dinner with all its fixings and watching the Lions game, we all know that. But I see what goes on behind the scenes. He works very hard to make things easier for me - before, during, and after. Like I said, I could not do it without him! I like this picture, reminding me that there is a time to work and a time to rest! :)

SHOWERED!

A special day has come and gone with memories and pictures to last a lifetime. Your first baby shower is certainly a milestone, the prelude to the biggest, greatest, most exciting adventure a married couple experiences - parenthood. We are so excited for Michael and Andi and know full well they will be wonderful, loving parents. Megan, Madelyn, and I were delighted to share in the Neumann family shower at a cozy restaurant with a cute name, Gracie's Place, in the quaint town of Williamston, not far from Holt, MI where Andi grew up.

Mommy & Daddy soon-to-be...

Sweet preg-o Andi

Mike & Andi were so happy to have Madelyn there with all her energy and sociability, this girl knows how to work the crowd!

She was so patient waiting to have a cupcake until after lunch. You can see the delight on her face when "Uncle Dude" let her be the first to dig in.

These sweet gals are delightful to be around, there is so much love between them and beautiful smiles like this all.the.time! Love them!

 A beautiful keepsake Noah's Ark for the nursery from Aunt Erika.

 No gift was too big for Madelyn to handle! She truly was a BIG help!

Me, my boy, and his lovely wife! I thought it was cute he wore blue & pink.

Not the most comfortable front and center opening gifts, this one brought a big smile to his face!
I wonder if Go Green will be baby McG's first words?!

Baby monitor from Andi's Oma who wasn't able to attend.

Andi's sweet father, Marty, kept it quiet but I thought it was so sweet... he brought a bouquet of flowers with him for Andi. Brother Nick came too and it was pretty sweet to see him visiting with all the ladies.

Cousins!

Cousin Madelyn & Auntie Meg

Tuckered out on the way home.

Next up, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, then BABY!!!  So excited to meet this precious babe!