Finding Friends All Along the Way

We had to stop and see Emily & crew and their new house on the way home! Hurricane Michael literally blew down their front door and went straight out the back door, so the entire force of that Category 5 monster was inside their four walls. They were caught up filing insurance claims for years and battling back and forth with their lawyer, but their old house was finally demolished at the beginning of the summer, and I've been amazed how quickly workers have raised their new house! It's almost ready!! And it's beautiful! Tate had his first experience playing with a roly-poly. Michael claims we have them in our part of Florida, but I've definitely never seen one. I have vivid memories of recess on the playground at Burlington Elementary in Colorado playing with my little roly-poly family. I'm glad my kids finally know the joy! 

 

They found some scrap wood and made them a little roly-poly house. Hallie & Tate were just the cutest:

Julia, Amelia, Ethan, Hallie, Caroline, Carigan, Anna Kate, Wesley & Tate in front of Emily & Brian's gorgeous new home! Praise God, they won't be homeless much longer! They are currently still living with Brian's mom. They have waited so patiently for this blessing.

After stopping in Panama City to see the Delmar crew, we made a lunch stop in Mexico Beach to see Ava & Everly. The Oliva family is vacationing there this week, and we couldn't be so close and not see them! We had to drive a little out of our way (continue further down 98 before heading for I-10), but it was worth it! Carrie suggested a little taco shop with outdoor seating, and we had a great time. All Anna Kate wants for Christmas is a trip to Tennessee to see her friends.

We got home late Saturday night, and we had an appointment with Emily Plank to have our Christmas portraits taken Sunday morning. Thankfully not too early, and since we're still doing church from home, we didn't have to rush. But I'm super proud of myself for pulling it all together. Just like the coordinating Halloween costumes, I started shopping online for coordinating Christmas duds in the midst of my quarantine boredom many many months ago. Emily took our picture along the shore of Lake Hollingsworth, but I bribed the kids with lunch of their choice (Fat Jack's for the girls and McDonald's for the boys) to let me take a few pics of them by the Christmas tree on Lake Mirror.

Anna Kate has officially outgrown little girls size dresses... So for the first time, instead of matching her sister, this year she matches me!! It was a big moment for this mama. And we had pockets! 

 

We had a little friend show up for our photo shoot on Lake Hollingsworth... this little guy was hanging out nearby the whole time. Gotta love Florida.

 

There's something so special about coming home to our lake all decked out for Christmas. We love Lakeland!

Merry Thanksmas!

Christmas always comes early with the cousins - I love this Thanksgiving night tradition! We opened presents with Home Alone playing in the background. Fittingly, Ellie found herself a nice spot smack in the center of attention.

Erin had Lauren's dad design this movie poster and we went in together to have it printed and framed.

This year's annual Thanksgiving play was replaced by a song. It pretty much sums up the week. Words and music by Anna Kate, Abby & Carigan:

Thanksgiving time is here, people come from far and near

Mashed potatoes and green beans, hopefully it's all for me

The turkey smells real good, just like it should

Doesn't smell like foot, because Grandma is our cook

Granddad's watching TV, and if he falls asleep

We'll paint his toes, that's just how it goes

 

At the Rhodes Thanksgiving, 

It's always at the beach

We play in the sand, never having plans

Carigan talks real fast, Gabe's got some stinky gas

At the Rhodes

 

Aunt Hannah's a lot of fun, taking pictures in the sun

Uncle Michael grew a beard, to be honest it's kinda weird

Now Uncle Andrew's screaming No, because his points are at zero

Aunt Erin's talking smack, but she can't take it back

 

At The Rhodes Thanksgiving, 

Taking pictures and playing games

Something something something

Tate's always forgetting Gabe's name

 

So Corey's sitting by the pool, painting with his tools

And Wesley's sitting inside, he's always chatting online

Lauren's coming this year, she's probably filled with fear

She has never been here before, she won't want to come anymore

At the Rhodes Thanksgiving, 

We chat a whole lot , and probably should not.

And Caleb brought his girl, Lauren is his girl

That's the one we talked about before

 

At the Rhodes Thanksgiving

Black Friday at the Beach! One last day to enjoy the sand & surf. Top of today's agenda was digging giant holes for no reason.

Anna Kate worn out from body surfing. She and Lauren stayed in the water for probably an hour.

Granddaddy took the littles for a night on the town (playground, McDonald's and shopping for candy), while the girls hit the outlets for some Black Friday shopping. We planned to eat at Culver's, but the dining room was closed, so we went through the drive-thru and ate outside. In keeping with 2020, the most exciting thing we bought all night was cute festive masks from Old Navy so we can be jolly for the holidays.

 

One final round of device-bonding with the littles while the grownups packed up Saturday morning. So very thankful for this time together. We needed it this year more than ever!

Even in 2020... We Give Thanks

 

We woke up to Thanksgiving Arts 'n Craps with Grandma. Carigan already had the traditional monkey bread underway.

So weird watching a Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade with no spectators. Carigan is an enthusiastic home audience though. And she got excited every time we saw the Geico commercial with Kerrigan's dad in it. Who knew Chris Cooper had a secret life filming commercials?? 

 

Michael participated in No Shave November. First time in my life I've seen him with more than just a little stubble. I'm not a fan. My face is all torn up.

Granddaddy and all nine grandkids - plus Lauren. Our photo shoot was interrupted by a lizard. Best Granddaddy ever! So thankful for all he does to keep us close.

Rhodes, Table for 17! We are missing Nathan and Angel, but understand their fear of big gatherings given the pandemic. We tested so we could be together, but it's not fool proof. Aunt Cynto is devastated because Lydia came down with COVID while visiting Spencer's family, so instead of being able to join them in Myrtle Beach, she is quarantined in Tennessee. During dinner we passed around the Velveeta Box of Thankfulness. Caleb was upset that in Aunt Angel's absence, his favorite corn pudding had been overlooked. So his contribution to the Velveeta Box of Thankfulness was corn pudding. 

The girls were thrilled that I didn't forget to pack the pilgrim bonnets. Note Anna Kate legit in the process of getting in trouble in that last shot. After Thanksgiving dinner we worked off the food daze on the beach. And Michael broke a chair.

A little Phoebe-style Thanksgiving football game.

Except for this one. He doesn't do football.

Caleb and Lauren took the kayaks out at sunset. Lauren almost immediately capsized and we tried forever to get it pulled in from the ocean... it was full of water and shockingly hard to get out of the water.

We cheered when they finally managed it! These waves are a little too intense for these little kayaks. 

Caleb managed to get his up on an end to drag it out. Impressive!!

First time in our 21 year relationship that Michael's had a beard. I don't think it will last the month. *the beard, not us* 

 

We stayed on the beach until dusk, and then headed back to the house to warm up in the pool. Tonight's poolside feature was The Greatest Showman. We've had a poolside feature every night - Frozen II, Tangled, Coco, Pollyanna. It's been really fun. Only one thing left to do on Thanksgiving... Thanksmas!