Catch up, Macy's and Nutella Banana Wontons

Well, Christmas came AND went. What was I doing? I'll tell you what I wasn't doing...blogging. No good excuses. Really. Kids, family, shopping for presents, cleaning the house, working. You know, what all of the OTHER bloggers were doing AND blogging. I do have pics to prove I wasn't just sitting on my thumb. I know you want the proof so you can go on with your lives. Your lives are on hold and all because I haven't blogged. Well, I am here to set ya'll free.
I recovered all of my dining room chairs and Milo loves them.
I added a nice pad as well and Viola! I had already painted the dining table and chairs BLACK before Halloween. Apparently, I hadn't hung the framed print at photo time.

My 47th birthday came (Praise God!) and went without a hitch! My sweet nephew, McKennon was in Florida on a Duke Divinity School recruiting trip and came to Indialantic to see us! We all went out to the Yellow Dog Cafe on the Indian River for a FABULOUS dinner and dessert! Love my birthday...every year of it!

"I mentioned the Bisque"

Look at those handsome men!!!

Sam's best buddy, Jacob Liberman had his Bar Mitzvah and I photographed for part of it! What a party those Liberman's put on! We are so proud of Jacob! What an accomplishment, Mr. Man!

Charles, Jacob and Sam

Curt missed his opportunity for full coverage

Lisa and I at the reception! Love Ya!!

Sam was in his first Middle School Play

Will and Sam performed for Celebrate Brevard! fundraiser. That was fun! Great food!

Then we traveled to Tallahassee for the South East Regional Yo-Yo contest. Will placed 2nd in the 5A Division and Sam demonstrated his acrobatic pizza tossing. I ate at Panera and drank some coffee. I also ate some ice cream...and a moonpie. Have I told you I love Moonpies? They look like yo-yo's and I felt obligated. Did it for the kids. Sacrifice.

I loved this sculpture at the contest site. The Pelican was metal and the nest was re-bar. So creative!

So we traveled back to Indialantic on Sunday and packed to leave for New York City the next day because we were going to be in the MACY'S THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE on Thanksgiving day with the United States Pizza Team! Wow! We had an amazing trip. I have wanted to be in that parade for my entire life. I was just walking with the team while they showed all the skill :) But I had perfected my wave in the Arkansas County Fair Parade in the 80's, people. Windshield wiper wave...slowly back and forth, back and forth. Here's the blurry photo and then I'll move right on...

No blue sequins or '80's hair for the Macy's Parade...thank God for that.

The team practiced in Central Park in preparation for marching in formation along the parade route. No simple task, but we had absolutely GORGEOUS weather!

Then the street was cleared in front of Macy's and the team practiced on the star for the cameras!

More practice the day before Thanksgiving on a tennis court in Central Park...
and then we were ready for the BIG DAY!

There we are! Long shot pic! There I am in the lower right hand corner with my arm up waving to the camera that I didn't know was there while the team spun their hearts out with Throw Dough! We had a great crowd response and had the most amazing day!!
I will write a post only on the parade and include our trip to the Big Apple Circus...

After flying back on Friday, my friend Ann asked me to photograph her family for Christmas card. Her daughter, Tori was in from college and would be leaving the next day. I was so happy to do it! What a fun family!

There was the Barnes and Noble West Shore night and the improv troupe, Scared Scriptless, performed...
Followed by the District One Act Competion...

And my work's holiday party...

Failed Christmas card photo shoot...very windy on the Indian River Lagoon!

Sam's One Act Competition for middle school

The Melbourne Light parade! Hi Tracey! Love the Toy Story Etch-a-Sketch!!

A "Going Away" party at school...Have a great time in Italy, McKenzie!

A Gingerbread House Decorating party at Cindy's!

Santa Claus ornament decorating at my house...still have some of these left...

A cookie exchange party at Ann's with her sister in law Holly!
Charlie Brown Christmas tree with "boom boom" as the stand in Linus blanket!

Cookie decorating party at my house, which actually turned into teenagers just hanging out and one helping me make Nutella Banana Wontons!!! YUM!

My dogs take advantage when it's cold. They feel they were doing Mike, Louise and Caroline a BIIIIIIG favor, I'm sure.
These are the Nutella Banana Wontons in progress...added a thin slice of marshmallow and there ya go. They were gone in a whip stitch. I hear that's really fast.
Christmas arrived and so did my sweet parents. My mom made me promise not to post pictures of them. OK, but they we were all so cute in our matching pajamas on Christmas morning! The boys loved it! So did I.
Tail enjoying his spot in front of the tree...

Sam getting his high powered sling shot at the same time Ralphie is opening his BB gun on TV!

No, we didn't have it on the entire time. OK we DID, but the volume was turned down. We are fans. There.
So, that's what I've been up to. We are now in the middle of putting up crown moulding in the house. Man, it looks good. Man, my house is in dire need. Graduation from high school is coming soon and you know what THAT means. Right...hurry and get the house projects completed before the money gets sucked into the college system.
Love and Blessings for a happy and HEALTHY New Year to all around the world.