On a very dreary day about a month ago, I got a call from my close friend of 17 years, Brytteva (Parker's best attempt was "Porteeva"). She said she woke up that morning with an epiphany that she needed to come out and see me. Okay, epiphany, but I say revelation! It was just what I needed - a timely visit from the person who always seems to know when I need her the most, across so many miles & years of friendship. I was so excited to have her come out from Seattle and stay with me this last week.
Every time we get together, it's the same. Lots of laughing fits, eating waaaay too much, shopping (of course!), a little gossip for good measure, reminiscing and lifting one another up in the ways we need it. The only difference now is that I have kids to add to the mix! It was an adventure trekking out to Independence & Liberty Jail with them on Monday. I told Brytteva that hanging out with Parker was a great form of birth control! However, she played a great "auntie" to him by reading him books and giving him piggy-back rides. We made stove s'mores, got pedicures, watched my new all-time fave "Love Actually"(edited - thanks CleanFlicks!) and even threw a baby shower together for another friend of mine.
I know I'm lucky to have kept in touch with friends from my childhood - and even luckier when I get them to come see me in Kansas! Thanks for the laughs - love you, girl!
We spent Turkey Day with Peter's brother Jared, his wife Heidi and their baby, Ashley. It was a blast, as always. We made a huge feast that lasted us for four days worth of meals and played lots of games. As you can see, we did not suffer in the pie department (and yes, I know those are Christmas plates). The kids got along famously and gave us lots of naps so we could hang out. We did the Black Friday thing, although due to a food hangover we didn't get around to shopping until noon. We still found a few steals :).
On Friday night we headed out to Mass Street to watch Santa get rescued (by firemen) off of the top of Weaver's department store. We had never done this before, and it was so cute that I can't believe we have missed it the last three years! The pictures above were featured in the local paper. If you look in the background you will see Peter, Parker & I. Very fun.
The last hoo-hah of the weekend was our trip to Green Forest Christmas Tree Farm to get our tree! Peter & I had never gotten a real tree before. Since it is our five year anniversary this year, I decided to copy my sister and do something we hadn't done in five years as part of the celebration. We are VERY proud of our VERY fat tree. I have loved just staring at it whenever I walk by.
