Weekend Bits & Pieces

This is a real "family edition" blog post. This was the annual "shopping weekend" with my mom, aunts, and cousins. The second generation (my cousins and I) has been going for probably the last 25 years. Our moms, probably the last 40-45 years. There have been snowstorms, pregnancies, and calamities small and large, but no matter. Around the first weekend of December we descend upon St. Louis for shopping, dining, and mostly laughs. The past several years, everyone has spent the night with me and my brother. This will be the last shopping trip headquartered from our little Magnolia house. I drove them by the new house and they gushed-so happy for us. After our Friday night ritualistic feed at Biggie's, I took them to Ted Drewes and then through Candy Cane Lane. It was another wonderful weekend. We sure missed Aunt Debbie, but are looking forward to seeing her at Christmas.

BEFORE

DURING

AFTER
(The bar at Red Lobster on the Rock Road. No kidding.)

Mollie's girls. I love all the aunt's hands in this picture.

Nephew Jacob played "Tex Glitter" in school's holiday music program. What a star!
(And isn't my brother handsome? Such a great dad.)

My sweet girl woke with a terrible fever. Secretly, I'm just glad this happened this morning and not later in the week. Her school birthday party is Friday and real birthday party is Saturday.