"Moo-rey Christmas" . . . "Look who's in a dairy barn!" Rosie had an opportunity to visit a dairy farm Thursday during a business trip to PA with Mike Dillon. She couldn't have been more excited if she had visited Santa at the North Pole. "I really was in a real dairy barn today and it was great."

"Making music at Ohio State University" . . . Early last week, we received a surprise telephone call from Doug Hawkins. He asked if we would be up for a couple of house guests Tuesday. Cassandra had an audition for the OSU School of Music. We had a very pleasant visit with them; Cassandra treated us to a preview of her audition, performing her prepared violin pieces and showing us her vocal audition tape. Rose Anne and I agreed it would be nice to have Cassandra at OSU, allowing us to see the entire Hawkins family frequently! Cassandra was puzzled by a comment her father made after seeing the picture of the three of us, "We still look like Mutt & Jeff" . . in reference to a previous picture in 1980 of a Band Director and his Trumpet playing, Band President standing side by side! Fond memories are never forgotten!

"Caution, Fresh Paint" . . . Eddie, Seth, and Jay gave the first level a sparkling new look last week. Rose Anne picked Roman Column (off white) as the primary color throughout. The living room accent color is Koi Pond, an earthy green; Biltmore Buff, a soft yellow, is used throughout the dining room; flowing into a rich brown, Burnished Brandy, complimenting the new tile backsplash, and extending around the bay window and bulkhead; which leads to a softer green, Lemon Grass, on the west wall of the family room. "Two years of looking at the same neutral color throughout was long enough!" Once again a Musgrave Construction crew did a very nice job and replied as they completed the project . . . "What's next?"

"Joy resounds in the hearts of those who believe in the miracle of Christmas! "

"Rudolph . . . . the 5K Run" The Rudolph Run 5K is facilitated by the Columbus Running Co. Charity Fund, a non-profit organization operated by the Columbus Running Co. owners and members of the local running community. "Lead the way!" The unique race precedes the annual Westerville Christmas Parade with the Sertoma Club. Seventy runners, in Santa hats, started at the Chase Park Complex, continued to Schrock Road, left on State Street through Uptown Westerville, finishing at St. Paul's Catholic Church on County Line Road. The streets are lined with spectators cheering the festive attired runners and anticipating the Christmas Parade that followed. As I passed one family with a little girl, I waved, and shouted "Merry Christmas! Ho! Ho! Ho!" She turned to her Mom & Dad and inquired . . . "Was that Santa?"

Thanks,Wes, Jennifer, and Hank; Cara, Jim, Alexis, and Riley, for visiting us! Thank you, Dear Lord, for the countless Blessings! Happy Thanksgiving to all!

"Wow" . . .what a fun, festive project! Hank, Riley, and Alexis had a good time with Nana and Jennifer! Every design is unique . . . can you see Henry's reindeer foot?

"Holiday fun" . . . . Creative Jennifer has a fun project for Riley and Alexis to do while Hank gets to watch! Personalized, puff paint Christmas tee-shirts! Henry has his own shirt too!

"Thanksgiving games . . . . Riley, Alexis, and Nana enjoy some after Thanksgiving fun! Hank and Cara want to join in the fun, also!

A quiet Thanksgiving evening at Nana & Popo's . . . and Maddie's house too . . .

Okay Henry, it's time to settle down with a good book . . How about "Dream of the Echoes" THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF NOTRE DAME! by Brandon Crouch & Frank Corrigan. It's never too soon to learn about the IRISH, Hank. Here, let Nana read to you . . . .

"Henry's First Thanksgiving" . . . . . . and he gets prunes??????? Mom, Dad, Nana, and Popo have a tasty turkey dinner! Oh, well . . wait 'til next year!

Daddy says . . "Yeah, Hank . . .you won!"
Henry was waiting to get his "running" picture with Mommy, Nana, and Popo . . too!

November 24, 2011: Happy Thanksgiving! Jennifer, Rose Anne and I started Thanksgiving morning by participating in the Flying Feather 4 miler run/walk with 4000 other runners and walkers . . all eager to burn some calories to make room for their Thanksgiving feasts! It was a chilly 39 degree morning for the run through Glacier Ridge Metro Park in Dublin! A bottle of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais-Villages Red, a finishers medal, and food and beverages awaited each runner as they completed the race. Jennifer finished with a better than goal pace of 8:27, and Ted and Rose Anne both finished strong with the last mile being the quickest for both. Even the Turkey had a hard time keeping up with the "spring chickens"

We're ready to go, Nana!

Now I'm too tired! "The Boys!"