A November Full of Thanks!

Wow...well, it was a really good November!
My job is still going well and I am still (and forever) learning how to do it well/if not better. Jim's job is still rockin' and rollin' and is all good!
Here are the highlights:

1) Dog Parks Lead To Dog Happiness - okay, as our friend put it, yes...we are "THOSE" people when it comes to our dog Easton. There is an amazing place here in Knoxville called Petsafe Village, and they have an off-leash dog park that just rocks! We started taking Easton on Sundays to run and socialize with the other pups and then found out that they have a "doggie day camp" experience - where a dog can have a full day of socialization and furry fun. It's like day-care for your dog. So, since we're a pretty busy family, I said - let's give it a try 1x a week and see if he really likes it. Well...HE LOVES IT! Ever since he had to say goodbye to our beloved Lady Bear Harmon, he misses having a 4-legged play pal. The funniest thing is that all dogs have to go through a day-long "socialization evaluation" to make sure he "plays well with others". He passed with flying colors and gets to go 1x a week to frolic and play. I cannot believe that we're so in love with our dog - but you know, when you still don't have 2 legged kids of your own, you really learn to look at your pets as your kids. It's silly, I admit, but hey - we're all happy with it!

2) Thanksgiving Fabulousness - First off, the BEST thing about thanksgiving was that I got to have a little slice of my home here in Knoxville. My Dad made the trip down to Knoxville and spent the holiday with us! I think he was really impressed with our house, which made me happy and we both spent a lot of time in the kitchen together...he made me my FAVORITE - GERMAN POTATO salad, which was divine. I made an old recipe my Mom and I used to make together when I was young - chocolate "wacky" cake. It was like being transported back in time with each bite. I miss her a lot, but having him here made me feel more connected and centered in a lot of ways. We brine our turkey which turned out AMAZINGLY (see the Alton Brown recipe for your own deliciousness - at Food Network); AND my high school EASTON gave our 100 year old rivalry with Phillipsburg High School, the shine it needed - beating them in football on ESPN2. It was awesome getting to watch my high school football tradition on national television - my shrieks of joy where LOUD LOUD LOUD. I'm as crazy about EASTON Football as the Knoxvillians are about their VOLS.

3) DO NOT go to Dollywood on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Oh my God. That's all I'm going to say. TOO many humans. TOO MANY.

Well that's the wrap for now...Christmas is looking bright and amazing! Now, can we actually get a Wii before December 25th? HA!