I'm feeling miscellaneous.

Few things reduce me to shouting in a Giant Eagle parking lot. I swear it was completely uncontrollable Monday night when I actually shouted for joy about finals *finally* being over. Don't get me wrong...typically I really enjoy studying and taking the finals and it's sad to see the semester draw to a close. This semester has just been sooo hard with being away (collectively) for a month, the cantata, the holidays and everything else that has come my way. I know it's going to be even harder when I get  to college but this semester sure was a challenge, emotionally as well as academically.

Speaking of finals, I've decided that studying is not good for my sanity. When I study I do things like this:

Ha! You think that's weird, you should see the one with dates written all over the page. I refuse to post her though, as her one eye made her look like she had been punched :) Hey, I didn't forget 605-536 BC.

I've been so busy with everything else there are so many things I haven't gotten around to posting. I just want to touch on them quickly so looking back they will not be forgotten. 

First, Thanksgiving. There *has* to be something about that somewhere on here. Don't want to forget it happened, now do we ;)

We kept it small this year with only five non-Wachter people. Aunt Dawn came in the night before and stayed for the weekend. That night I talked her into helping me make the place cards for the table (inspired by Martha Stewart, of course :P) while we watched The Cheaters. I think it was 1am before we got to bed, but they came our really cute! :)

Aunt Dawn sneaking in some Winnie holding time. 

Getting to hold baby while Aunt Dawn is here is virtually impossible :D

Every year the Thanksgiving menu changes...except for two things. New England Sausage and Cranberry Dressing and Shiitake Mushroom gravy (both recipes from Bon Appetite). We've been making them for 10+ years and probably will until the end of time.

I think cutting the turkey is one of those man things...you know like grilling and lawn mowers. Check the apron Pa borrowed from the boys...ha!

Like everyone else, year after year we made a typical dry turkey that was really only good on sandwiches. Until we started ordering from Hillside Turkey Farm, a locally owned business. They have the best (and I mean the best) turkey. Naturally raised, smoked, turkey breast. So juicy and delicious, not to mention the fact that it only takes 10 minutes of prep time.

I love the way this picture really captures the whole feel of the holidays.

After dinner, our friends/neighbors, the Rutters, stopped by for dessert. 

Of course, there was some Winnie holding involved as well. 

Mrs. Brown is a kindergarten teacher and we couldn't help but laugh when she had us all making these little M&M turkeys. She is one great teacher! They were so cute and fun to make...not to mention tasty.

The cantata was Sunday night and couldn't have gone better. After dress rehearsal on Saturday we were all unsure as to how it would be but there was a a lot of praying and went off with very few emergencies. We had 32 friends who were coming so we were so wrapped up with visiting with them we didn't take a single picture! I'm going to see if I can get a few from somebody else and, if I can, I'll post them here as well as show you a video of the whole program. For now, just know that is was amazing, blessed by God, and we all had a great time being a part of it.

Can you imagine that my little Ellie is already 4? Quick view of her birthday, which consisted of being waken by balloons, Rapunzel hair, Chuck-E-Cheese, Chick-fil-a and birthday tarts:

And while I'm on a roll posting picture, a few from the "end of finals" party...this happens to be Pa and Mom's last semester before graduation so that made it extra special :)

KK, Mom and I made these little Christmas goody bags for all the students about thirty minutes before the class and left them on their desks. 

The buffet line...there was so much food I didn't even eat dinner. Ha!

Little Hannah, the daughter of one of the students, kept us all entertained. She is such a sweetie. 

I think that brings us up to date on recent happenings. Just two more things and then I'm finished :) I made an FAQ page because I really enjoy reading them on other people's blogs. Only problem, I don't know what questions you guys ask me frequently. So go ahead and let me know what you would want to know just arriving at By the Way or what questions you want to know the answer to. 

Stay tuned because I have a very exciting Christmas giveaway coming up in only two days...

Love & Merry Christmas,

Näna