It's a winter wonderland!

We are going on our fourth winter in Chicagoland. Every year that we've lived here, the first snow has come in the first two weeks of December. It's the moist heavy stuff ... good for shoveling, snowball fights and snowman building. Now mind you, two days ago, Saturday, it was a balmy 47 degrees and every neighbor was out in vests or sweaters putting up holiday lights. We are all grateful for that respite ... sure beats hanging lights in 30 degree weather and snow.

Jet and I got busy clearing the driveway with shovels while Charlie was at preschool today. Our snowblower made a trip to the hardware store for repairs. FYI - gas is only good for 30-45 days ... always always empty the tank at the end of the season (Unfortunately, the lawnmower will probably be making the same trip in the spring). Anyways, I promised the boys a sled ride after Charlie gets home.

We hope everyone reading this blog had a great thanksgiving. We sure did! Uncle Dave, Aunt Gina and cousins Drew and Anna made the trek from Omaha to join us for the holiday. It was a great visit. The neighbors were well aware that the Nebraska relatives were here when LITTLE RED (a Nebraska Husker Mascot) made his appearance on our front porch for the weekend. Little to describe his size is not quite accurate as you can see, He's at least 10' tall with a goofy smile on his face. And in case the neighbors didn't get enough of Little Red during the day, he lights up at night for all to see.

All I can say is that we are thankful that Nebraska won the game and nobody knifed Little Red to deflate him, put him in a compromising position (known to happen to the Xmas deer in our hood), or dressed him in drag. All was well when he went home on Saturday.

Here's a few things that we are thankful for and reflected on this Thanksgiving:

1. Aunt Penny's cancer is in remission! A big hip hip hooray!

2. Grandpa's 3 broken ribs and punctured lung are mending. He seems back to his old self.

3. Our friends - the Murphy's - in India are safe and sound. We are ready to have them back stateside.

4. Aunt Dodie is on the mend for a few surgeries.

There's more but it's all Gravy (sorry the turkey day pun) after the list above.