Ok, somehow we go this written but forgot to post. (note: photos are in NO particular order, which is also maddening.)
Jimmy blessed us with this presence for 6 days and it was lovely. He took a true break and just hung out, saw his friend and watched football. A few workouts and good food but no homework. I have no idea what this means when he gets back to school as I'm sure he has papers due but...to each his own. Good life lessons.
Aunt Sue visited for 5 days as well and it our family dinners were so fun! Turkey with all the fixings, fondue to celebrate Kay's gotcha day, spaghetti and meatballs (Sue's favorite) not to mention A Christmas Story, in the movie theater, with Jim and Jen. BUT...the best part of the whole week was listening to the kids tell stories and relive their youth over dinner. We were all in tears laughing so hard and it was a true blessing.
We celebrated Kay's arrival day with her favorite, fondue and stories. I know we say it all the time but...she's such a complex human. Funny, fierce, creative, kind, generous, courageous, insightful and at the same time, endlessly maddening, impulsive, unorganized, messy and stubborn. We love each and every cell of her being even if sometimes we want to simultaneously hug her and strangle her.
Billy had a rare "down" week with very little homework or taekwondo. I think he was just happy to lay in bed with Maui and play video games. He did have his winter orchestra concert and its amazing to hear how well the kids play, especially when you "remember" the grade school concerts.
Tom cooked up a storm and won the Movember contest at work. Someone said he looked like Captian Kangaroo so he promptly shaved once he won. He also had a chance to go pheasant hunting with Wade and get caught up, lots of good winter recipes in the works!
Tracy had to fill in shifts at work but..given 26 years of compulsory Black Friday Target "work", its really isnt any different than past years. She also got her COVID booster.
We got Jimmy and Sue off to the airport and then, a mere, 5 days later, made the trip to Mecca (I mean Green Bay).
Tracy had tickets to see her crush (Manitowoc Minute guy Charlie Berens) and we stayed with Sue. We decided to do a full Wisconsin immersion experience - fish fry, old fashions, Lambeau and Al's for breakfast. It was truly the perfect date night (not including the 4 hour drive there and back). We also discovered that gas stations in Wisconsin are full of unexpected treats - salami dipped in cheese, cheese curds and...a candy cane full of single shot multiple flavored liquors. Yum.
Kay took advantage of us being gone by inviting friends over, drinking all our beer, leaving a mess and leaving the front door open so that Maui was discovered by a neighbor at 7am the next day wandering happily in our front yard, front door wide open. Needless to say, there are mitigation efforts being put in place the next time we go out of town and she's home alone.
All in all, a typical fun, crazy, insane, relaxed, busy and full couple of weeks.
Grateful for our lives and each other.
(In other random news, Solomon, Julies son and our nephew, was "discovered" and is now a model, he walked the Louis Vitton show in Miami. And, Cedric, other Julie son, took 5th in an international surf competition and won money!! Beyond crazy!!)
Mecca
Do you see the resemblance?
Fish fry!
After party 
Tom's newest project 
The booster was way easier than the 1st 2 doses
Watch out for deer
Tom didn't even bother getting Tracy a glass
There you go!
Another shot of Mecca
Winter orchestra concert 
Thanksgiving!!
Tracy's favorite breakfast/lunch place in GB
Looking good
Final results
More pheasants 
YUM>>>>>
Jimmy's school photo this year
Thanksgiving furlough!
FONDUE for TWO!
