A wonderful week!

Ah, the week of my birthday, Thanksgiving, family time, movie time, food, and friendship.

And I only had to teach on Monday – at Rock Bridge and three private students.  My sister Juli and Elise both flew in to St. Louis Monday afternoon.  Joe picked them up on his way home from work and took them as far as Ballwin.  Emily and the kids then brought them to Columbia that evening and we tucked everyone into bed all around the house.  It was nice to have a houseful again.  

 

 Noah got to help grandpa make cinnamon rolls Monday night (not gluten-free, sadly.  But Steve did make me some pumpkin muffins with streusel topping for my birthday breakfast)

Tuesday, my birthday, was spent visiting the Amish shops.  We spent way too much in the bulk baking supplies store.   

 

 Lucy, Quinn, and Noah enjoyed the swing outside the Amish quilt shop.

Everyone was present for my birthday dinner of pork steaks, baked potatoes, broccoli, fresh pineapple, and pumpkin cheesecake.   

 

 We watched “Edge of Tomorrow” (loved it) after Emily and the kids left for St. Louis. 

Wednesday, aside from running a few errands, baking pies and preparing other foods for Thursday and driving up to Lonnie Rays for lunch, 

 we just relaxed and watched TWO movies – the original “Walter Mitty” (very funny) with Danny Kaye and “Maleficent” (surprisingly good). 

Thursday was one of our more quiet Thanksgiving meals.  

 

 Emily and her family were in Alexandria, Virginia with Joe’s family.  Steven and Tamara ate with her family (her sister was in town).  And poor Sarah had to work ALL DAY. So, sitting around our festive table were just Steve, me, my sister Juli, Elise, Melanie, and Lizzie Crippen.  

 

 

I made the same amount of food that I usually do so we really have a lot of leftovers.  Every storage container was filled to the top and both refrigerators were packed to the roof.  We got to watch the parade and the first part of the dog show before  eating.  We watched "White Christmas" and "Home Alone" after.  And had phone or face time conversations with lots of out-of-town family.  

Friday, poor Sarah had to work all day AGAIN and Steven and Tamara had a state football championship game to attend (Battle High won state in Division 5 football) so it was just Juli, Elise, Steve, and me that drove to St. Louis to attend the temple and enjoy some festive St. Charles holiday celebrations.  We visited shops, ate dinner, and mingled with Santas and musicians in period costume as well as hundreds of other tourists.  This was just St. Charles - Part 1.  Part 2 will be on December 26th and will include Southerlands, and Merrills, and Lambsons, Jr. and Sarah, and Melanie.   

Even though Emily and family were gone, we stayed at their home over night on Friday since Elise had a very early flight back to Syracuse.  Juli's flight wasn't until 5:30 in the evening so we spent our day at the St. Louis zoo.  Weather was just perfect (in the 60's) so most of the animals were out enjoying the sunshine.  

 

 (map is upside down, Steve)

Juli's "must see" were the giraffes

I guess I need to see elephants - I sure took a lot of photos of them!

the ostrich on the left kept picking at the one on the right...

We walked all over the zoo so Steve and I were completely worn out by the time we pulled into the garage back in Columbia.  We unpacked, ate dinner, and then collapsed in front of the last movie of the week - "The Book Thief" (a perfectly beautiful film).  

It is back to regular life today and this coming week.  I hope your week was as perfect as mine!