Things as they are... and they are good

The truth is, I'm tired. All day, every day, tired.

On Thanksgiving Day, I was thankful for many, many things - too many to name - but most of all, I was thankful to be celebrating my 10th week of pregnancy. A momentous occasion no doubt, and I took full advantage of "eating for two". Tired, yes. Sick, no. I feel fantastic physically (most of the time), just tired.

Still, this long weekend has been wonderful. It's been unhurried and fulfilling. We've had the good fortune of Riley being with us for all of it - a rarity! - and Sophie is quite possibly the luckiest little girl on the face of the earth to have him as her big brother.

There was lots of dancing, the highlight of which was watching them dance like "Michael Jackson".

From am's picasa

We Skyped.

From am's picasa

Put up the tree.

From am's picasa

And Sophie has rearranged the decorations within her reach many, many times.*

From am's picasa

We played.

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

And we spent lots of time together.

From am's picasa

Yes, I'm tired. But all of this has been so worth it.

*A note on this dress. Some members of my family will recognize it as the dress Grandma Betty made for me to wear in Aunt Kaye's wedding when I was 5 years old. It has been hanging in Sophie's closet and she simply loves to wear it. As I put it on her, I understand why. Not only is it impeccably made, but it feels like with every stitch and every cut, Grandma infused it with love. Knowing Grandma, she probably did.

Suprise Party

Last weekend, the Cornett family gathered at Old Friends Farm for a surprise birthday party for Roy's granddad, Bob. I wondered how in the world I could take so many pictures and not get one of the man of honor? Pretty simple, really. At 80, Bob continues to be the most passionate, the most energetic, and the most full of life person I have ever met. And he rarely stays in the same place long enough to capture the moment.

Still, there were plenty of moments.

Sophie and Aubrey playing in the leaves
and then having a very important conversation with their Pa. There was something about watching this exchange that made me think that this man is going to have to keep his wits about him over the next 10-20 years. These girls could take him for all he's worth.

I don't know how it happens, but anytime we go anywhere, there is a golf cart. And there are rides. And the kids learn how to turn them on at a very early age. Fortunately, the adults have learned to remove the keys when not in use.
There was the feeding of horses.
And throwing of rocks. (yes, I should've stopped them immediately... and I did shortly after I took this picture, but they were so darn cute.)
And we got some great group shots. Here are all of the Great-grandkids. It was current until two days later when Barrett Cornett Bertram was born.
And we got a nearly-complete family photo. It's so rare and such a treat. Despite missing three members of the family, this one is a keeper.

Dance Party

Most nights, we have dance class. Sophie puts on her red-inflatable-birthday-Chuck E. Cheese- crown and instructs us accordingly. This is generally late in the evenings when Roy and I are sufficiently exhausted from the day's activities, so fortunately it mostly involves sitting down and only the occasional pirouette.

From am's picasa

I love seeing her in this role - teacher, make believe. creativity. It's a wonderful thing!

So last night she announced that she wanted to dance. She grabbed Madeline, gave me a teddy bear, and I chose "If I had $1,000,000" on iTunes - always a family favorite - and that led to a good, old fashioned Barenaked Ladies dance party.

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

Happy Halloween!

Roy stayed home and handed out candy while Sophie and I ventured out into the neighborhood.We walked around for about an hour or so (little legs travel slow) and when I said, "one more house," Sophie replied, "Yeah, I want to go home and sit on the couch and eat my candy."
This was the first year we ventured off our street for Trick or Treating and boy, I gotta say - I love this Holiday. Neighbors on their front porches, kids commenting on costumes and being polite to a 3-year old Cinderella, and the bustle of activity.

Just now, Sophie popped an M&M in her mouth and said, "This was a great Halloween, Mommy." Yep, it sure was.

Punkins

I'm not great about rituals. We don't dye Easter Eggs or make Christmas Cookies. But this year, we couldn't let Halloween go by without carving Pumpkins. We all had so much fun that I have vowed to create more moments like these.

Dearest Josh joined us for the event and that made us all happy.

From am's picasa

There was great concentration.

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

(anyone else nervous about how Josh chose to carve....?)

Sophie lasted a little while and then my vest became some sort of costume.

From am's picasa

Still, she told me how she wanted her pumpkin carved: eye shaped eyes... a nose shaped nose... and she let me give it a typical jack-o-lantern mouth.

From am's picasa

Josh finished second and in typical mind blowingly amazing fashion.

From am's picasa

Roy really nailed it!

From am's picasa

And Riley did a great job with Cyclops - and he learned some valuable lessons about carving... thank goodness for toothpicks!

From am's picasa

From am's picasa

Now to start shopping for cookie cutters!

Best in Show!

I don't blog about work. It's a conscious decision. I love my job. I love my coworkers. And I really don't want to get fired. I'm breaking my silence, however, for a very important announcement.

My team has won the Lexington Public Library's Pimp my Bookcart Competition!

There were 7 entries, including two buses, a Where the Wild Things Are jungle (which got second place - Go Beaumont!!), a zombie survival cart, a yellow submarine, and a full "Game of life" Board. But our Shep took the blue ribbon.I, along with 3 other ladies representing the Business Office and Human Resources took the "green" theme to heart, making this Hungarian Sheep Dog ("Shep Herding Books")from cardboard, a milk jug and 2 liter, paper towel roll, bubble wrap, and lots and lots and lots of shredded newspaper. The rules of the competition require the cart be functional as a book cart (Shep's left side is open - I didn't get a picture) and be restored to its original condition following the competition.

Shep will be entered into the national competition next week, so wish us luck!

Pears

At this year's Bluegrass Festival, someone suggested that the Cornett family get together when we're not putting on a party for 20,000 of our closest friends, or celebrating in the chaos of a major holiday. Roy's aunt Linda took this to heart and since June, we have had 2 - count them TWO - unrelated-to-anything Cornett gatherings.

I wish I had pictures of the first. In August, there was a "fight to the death wiffleball game". An incredible amount of Family was able to make it, to the point where each team had 12 players and there was a large handful who sat out.

This party was much smaller, and indoors. The activities included setting up battles on cousin Paul's Lord of the Rings Risk Board.
Laughing and playing and laughing and playing.

And watching the UK Football Game.

We adults were also there, but nearly as cute to photograph. We played Cranium. Ran downstairs to Mallory's apartment every time Sophie and Aiden got a little too quiet. And we talked and laughed and talked and laughed.

And aunt Barb told me that the pear tree in their yard that borders Grandma and Granddad's house is overflowing with pears. Today we went to fill our basket.(we had to take off her wet skirt.)

So I'm going to make pear sauce. Have sandwiches and salads with pear. And make this cake which I think looks fantastic. Oh what a lovely surprise - a family pear tree!