Thankful

Wow! What a whirlwind of holiday activity! I just love Thanksgiving! I love watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in the morning while puttering in the kitchen making last minute goodies....I love the sound of a football game afterward while the smells of the kitchen begin to permeate the house...I love the snowflakes outside and the warmth of a cozy house inside........It is the start of the holiday season and I am the true traditional holiday person. I am Clark Griswold! We enjoyed a fantastic spread on Thanksgiving, prime rib and ham and all the fixins' including Grandma Nita's oyster stuffing. Top that with fabulous family and friends and it does not get any better! The day after Thanksgiving provides our new family tradition...going to the tree lighting ceremony at the Hotel Colorado. If you do not get into the Christmas Spirit after this, you are a true Grinch! New Creation Church always provides fantastic carolers for TRUE Christmas music! Everyone is offered a candle to light and hold up as they sing, to shine a light into the world. It is truly beautiful. Following is local talents...saxophonists and singers with songs that always tug at your heart. Inside the Hotel it is decorated to the nines..so much so that many kids think that it is actually Santa's house! Little windows in the hotel hallways are decorated with teddy bears in Christmas scenes...mama and papa bear with the family decorating the tree...little bears opening their Christmas treasures. (Teddy Roosevelt frequented the hotel often, hence the bear motif!!). They even have the Polar Express chugging along for kids young and old to marvel at! Nearing the end of the courtyard performance the much anticipated arrival of the One and Only Mr. Clause on the upper outside balcony makes me cheer as loud as the kids! But NOTHING can top the fireworks display! WOW! Set to the tune of Alan Jackson's "Let It Be Christmas", it proves to be the BEST firework show EVER! But it's not over yet! As tradition at the Hotel Colorado has it, the ENTIRE audience that is packed to the gills on the street belts out together "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by Bruce Springsteen, as the courtyard lights begin to light up! We are talking trees and reindeer and angels and all sorts of magical, shiny wonders! And all people, young and old, know what it feels like to be a kid! My wish to you as we begin this holiday season is just that, let's all be kids! Happy Holidays!!!!!

You bet we are thankful! Mom, Dad, BellaGrace and Grandma Tootie!

When the dishes are done, the moms have some fun! My wonderful girlfriends, Eileen and Shelli!

Our Lil' turkey!

Acting goofy on the way to Hotel Colorado with good buddy Wyatt.

Shining a light for the world.

Our little Bella Bear, enjoying the festivites!

Doing their part to help light up the world!

"Let it be Christmas, everywhere, let heavenly music fill the air, let every heart sing, let every bell ring, the story of hope and joy and peace..."(Alan Jackson's "Let It Be Christmas")

"Santa, we've be REEEEEEALLY good!!!"