Friday Fun

We skipped the early morning after Thanksgiving shopping. Kennedy came over and played with the girls all morning. They had missed their crazy energetic cousin! We had lunch together and then the girls helped Grandma and Grandpa set up for the flea market at the fairgrounds. This is always fun for the girls with several doggies and their owners stopping by early for treats. That night the we had dinner with one of our friends Penny and her daughter Rachel. Rachel is the girls' e-mail pal. After dinner we went downtown to investigate the new BOK center and the "Winterfest" happenings. They have a new outdoor ice rink that they are aparently still getting the kinks worked out of. We did not get to skate, but maybe next time! We all had fun catching up.

Branson

Saturday morning we drove to Branson. We went to Silver Dollar City and spent the day walking around, riding rides, seeing shows and shopping, but most all we ate! And drank lots of hot cocoa--thank goodness for the refillable mug. Jared loves the giant skillet dishes they make there. Gabrielle enjoyed a "mountain-size" cookie (think paper plate) and spaghetti in a seasoned bread bowl. The lights in the evening were so beautiful. We went to the first tree lighting show at 5:00 with lights synchronized to the music. After that we headed to the train ride with light displays and story (Madison's glasses fogged over on the train!) Then we saw the Christmas light parade-- very cute! I love the cold and enjoyed being there with all the Christmas spirit in the air! Sunday morning we just ate breakfast and shopped around Branson's unique shops. It even started to snow on us a little! It was a nice way to kick off the Christmas season.

That's How We Roll

I found a "copycat" recipe for the rolls exactly like they throw at Lambert's restaurant in Springfield, Missouri. I made them tonight to go with some soup. They turned out so yummy! And they wouldn't be exactly like Lambert's unless they were "throwed" so everyone had a turn throwing and catching and calling out "HOT Rolls!" Want to try them? You can find the recipe at the website recipezaar.com. It is recipe # 102734. Heads up!

Yes We Did

Our Voting Experience

The girls and I went to breakfast this morning and then ventured on to the polling place. I was glad they were out of school today because I think they will remember this day for a long, long time. I know I will. I just had a few people in front of me to vote. They checked us in at one table, then you went to the second table to get your paper ballot or wait for a touch screen machine. I did the paper ballot because it looked like it was moving faster. We were in and out in about ten minutes, which was nice. I was voter #579. Thanks to Madison who documented this historic event. On our way out it fantastic to see a plane in the sky pulling an Obama logo and banner saying VOTE FOR CHANGE! On a side note, the girls had a mock election at school among the students and the teachers. The results? Obama won with 63% of the vote among the teachers and he also won with the students by 72%.

It is Possible

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. ~Anne Lamott

Chalk it Up to Change

Well, just as a last minute reminder, the girls and I did this little project after school. I truly believe that this is about more than an election-- it is about a movement. How will it inspire you?