Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
Sent from my iPhone
in Times Square and then on to see the TREE!
After a stop by some shops we headed to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes. They were WONDERFUL! Everyone should see a show like that before you die. From the organ music at the beginning to the Living Nativity Scene at the end it was an event to see. From the show we made our way back to the hotel to rest.
After our purchases were made in a crazy side room
we headed to Little Italy for a snack. It was right past too many steps in Soho that I realized quickly we needed a cab. I see a family exiting a cab walk to secure it for us and a lady tries to steal my cab....I know can you believe that. I felt like my southern accent made them think I was made of honey, but it didn't take me too long to say REALLY? and get my cab back. I don't know if it was the bitter cold, tired feet, or jet lag, but NYC got to me and I had to bite back. With that confession out of the way we headed back to the hotel to drop off our bags and take a short nap...After waking we decided to take a stroll up Fifth Avenue and shop for Megan's prom dress and of course for ourselves. Up until this point I have failed to mention that the windchill bounced between 8 degrees and 17 degrees while we were there. It was bitterly cold. After a brief stop in Burger Heaven to regain our strength and partake in the ABSOLUTE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE EVER....we headed to FAO Schwartz for candy and then to UnderArmor for another layer of warmth. Then we headed to Central Park to check off another event off our list of things to do! Yes we went ice skating! I am not an athletic person...oh don't get me wrong...I would Love to say I was...but I am not. I try to keep up but the older I get the more I realize exactly how many things I can do to injure myself, break bones, tear up my knees...You need your knees to sit, stand, and walk.
So let it be said I skated on the ice...but it was really close to the rail. After a few cute pics and 45 minutes of absolute memory making we headed to the hotel. It was worth the cab cost to take a toasty ride to the hotel. 
FDNY in action as well as seeing a foreigner accost an innocent bystander in Macy's over food and a place to sit. After talking to my Uncle Lamar that lives in NYC we made plans to meet and see the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. I was in awe of how they moved. It was a late night with Uncle Lamar and I worried Julie and Meagan, but it was a nice evening. We flew out of NYC with a little less snow on the ground and a little more luggage, but it was one of the best vacations I have ever had.
Next stop...Ellie's visit
I hosted Thanksgiving for the second year in a row. The Pollards and the Carters came together for a slightly smaller gathering than last year. Every other year Brett and Kathy and Rayanne's Family aren't able to make it for other family obligations. This was our small year. Serving only 13. I 
The night before Thanksgiving Cullen and I got into the discussion of what was correct paper plates of china. Well, it is conversations like these that can really divide a family or make you realize exactly how differently two people were raised.
I am the youngest grandchild on both sides of my family. Cullen is the oldest. So as I see it everyone was grown by the time I came along. Meaning that nice dishes were in no danger of getting broken. For Cullen there were lots of children around running and playing...lots could get broken.
For as long as I can remember at all holiday dinners on each side of my family we used China, even my dad's side and he isn't the China type of person, but it was just how our families did dining. Not once while holiday dining with Cullen's extended family have we used china. I accredit this to the size of Cullen's family. Most of our guest can easily sit at two tables. At a gathering at Cullen's family homes people abound.
However in our married life Cullen comments each year how crazy it is we go to all the trouble to get out the China some years bringing mom's as well and having to wash each dish afterward, and wash the table linens. Crazy or not it is now one of our family traditions. So until our family outgrows my 16 place settings and I can no longer borrow mom's 12 place setting we will be using china and silver and my newly monogrammed napkins. 
Last stop...Christmas in the Delta
Cullen's sister Faren is very much a delta resident. I have stated time and time again how I don't know how anyone lives in the delta, but those that do love it... And I am happy for them.
Saturday, December 12 we went to the delta to celebrate Christmas with Faren and her boyfriend Dave. It was a very last minute trip. Cullen called me on Friday at 2:30 and said we were to go. So we went 6 hours round trip. Faren did what I normally do for holidays she provided the place and let her mom provide the meal. My mom likes Ms. Debi is an A+ caterer...The meal was driven the presents were brought and the Christmas plates were used. (when Faren gets married I'll monogram her some napkins ;)
I was only able to snap one or two pictures. Sometimes I just don't think about using my camera.
Nat as Rizzo and Me as the Great Pumpkin
I give "Lil Too White and Nelly" the award for Best Costume. Mary Beth and Kay stayed in character all night. Yes that is a piece of a car hanging from a necklace....
