Thanksgiving 2009

We are in the midst of a snowstorm here in VA and I decided it was finally time to get caught up on the Booker events. I'm in denial that I still have a TON of wrapping to do, lucky for me I have a wonderful husband who loves to wrap.
Thanksgiving this year was a little different than previous. Brent woke up that morning not feeling too well and slowly but surely starting breaking out in hives. This was eerily similar to our trip to Boston when we spent the weekend in the ER, wasn't looking forward to that possibility so we loaded him up on Benadryl and sent him to bed. Allison and I then headed to Jeff and Debbie's house in Woodbridge for the feast Ferlazzo-style. It really didn't feel like Thanksgiving since Brent wasn't there but I got to spend time with family and hold some babies, so it was good. <
The next day was the Booker fest. I worked on the day after Thanksgiving, I usually do and I usually don't like it, but this year every patient that I treated actually said thanks and expressed their gratitude for us being there and working. I think we were the only office open! That kind of makes it worth it...
We did our usual kid crazy Thanksgiving and it was chaos for sure. Brent and his brothers were highly entertained with the water resistant tablecloth. I think we spent about an hour chasing water beads around the table cloth. It of course became a competition in true Booker style. Andrew was Andrew when he found Gigi's hiding spot for presents. Fortunately for us they were all for Allison's birthday.
We had a lot to be thankful this year. Brent's brother Michael made it safely home from Afghanistan. We spent our first year in our new forever home. Allison continues to thrive. Brent is greatly enjoying his shorter commute to work and me too! I am thankful to work for a boss that helps me balance my profession with my family. We are eternally grateful for family that are there for us at a moments notice. And we are thankful for friends. 2009 was a bittersweet year but we have a lot to be thankful for and we are definitely looking forward to 2010.

Fall visit with Aunt Jeanne and Great Gigi

Veterans day weekend was a family-filled and fun! Allison was recovering from a breakout in hives, which later turned out to be strep throat, so we were slow moving but doing okay. Friday night Aunt Jeanne, Great Gigi and Gigi all came over to visit and then babysit so Brent and I could head out to the Capitals game. Allison kept them busy with playing restaurant, school, reading books and making art projects. That Sunday we all got together, minus Mike and Jen and their crew, for a lunch at Gigi's. We ate yummy acorn squash and all sorts of fall vegetables. This inspired me to expand my garden next year to include some squash and kale. Yummy, oh how I miss my garden.
Allison enjoys playing with her cousins so much. The weather was nice enough for us to go outside and ride scooters, bikes and blow bubbles. And of course there is climbing in Gigi's front yard tree.
We will miss Great Gigi at Christmas this year but we are very grateful to have spent this special time with her.