I'm So Far Behind, I Thought I Was in First Place

It's December already--Right?!!! Yeah, I thought so! About the time we got back from the Mountains with our Jacksonville friends, I made the mistake of thinking that I pretty much had it together. I had made plans for Thanksgiving, had purchased a couple of Christmas gifts, and--now that we were back home for a while, I would really go into high gear, and get everything done! WRONG! I began having some throat issues--then, sinus issues--and, before I knew it, I had a whopper case of bronchitis and a sinus infection. I kept pushing myself, but in a lot lower gear! The Doctor put me on an antibiotic and a steroid on Tuesday(before Thanksgiving), so I was sure I'd be "over it"by the time the family got together on Sunday(after Thanksgiving). To make a long story short--it didn't work that way! I am now on my second round of steroids, and still not completely well!
Nevertheless-- we DID manage to have a nice Thanksgiving! Amy and her family were in NYC on Thanksgiving Day, and Beth and her family were at David's parent's house. Also, my sister's kids were elsewhere, too----so my sister and brother-in-law asked if we'd like to join them at their house at Lake Hartwell. We did, and had a lovely, unconventional Thanksgiving Day. We had barbeque instead of turkey-- and talked and played with our laptops like a bunch of "young people".
On Friday afternoon, we headed home to get ready for the family Thanksgiving we were planning for Sunday. Since I knew I wasn't contagious, we also stopped for a little while in Royston, GA to see Ralph's brother's newest grandbaby, Mayleigh. She is just precious!

Here is Ralph with his brother, Doug. They are 14 years apart in age--and they are just beginning to look a little like brothers!

Here's our tree. We wanted to get it up this year before Thanksgiving--since we were going to have our small group here on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. ( That didn't happen, since I was still sick, though.)

Needless to say, Sunday was a little bit of a stuggle, but I wouldn't have cancelled it for anything in the world. I absolutely love having the family here, and it didn't disappoint! We have so much to be grateful for, and all enjoy being together so much.

Since Mother lives at Kings Bridge now, she doesn't get to see the kids as often--so Sunday was a real highlight for her! And for them!

Our nephew, Matthew, was able to be here-- and so was his daughter, Amanda. She lives in Florida with her Mom, so we love it when she can be with us. She's so good with the kids, so they love her dearly!

Here's Matthew and Amy!

During the afternoon, we were able to do a little Photo Shoot of the kids. None of us had really planned it this year, but I think it worked pretty well! It's still kinda hard to get them all to smile at once and not be silly!

Ralph took a lot of pictures, so maybe we'll be able to choose one for the Christmas card!