Thanksgiving at the Thacker House

Had Thanksgiving for the parents on Thursday.  Nice relaxing time with family and food.

                                                              Scott and JK

                                                         Gary and JK
                                             

                                                   JD, Savana and Gary worked on puzzles

                                                   Savana's gingerbread house

Girls Glee

This is Savana and some of her best friends.  I love the dresses!  They sparkle and swish...sooo coool!

This is the whole group.  I think all together 24 girls.  Mom and Dad made it down to my Lower Elementary school yesterday to hear the group sing a few songs for the little kids.  Seriously, it brings tears to my eyes to see Savana enjoying some of the things that I loved so much from my high school days.  Thanks to Julia Platt and John Howser, the gift of music is passed on to generation after generation.  Shelby is pushing me to get back into a singing group of some sort.  My voice is still very tight and I have trouble staying in tune.  So wierd when I never had trouble a day in my life before the surgery but Shelby firmly believes that getting back to singing will make it better.  So I will join the Community Choir next spring and see how it goes.   Now I am excited to get back in the saddle...

Plugging along...

These last couple of weeks have been busy...Just plugging along with work and kids.  I love having Lee as a driver.  Really free's my time up to handle Savana's things without having to travel between Eldon and Osage Beach to get it all done.  It is crazy to think that Thanksgiving is this week.  Having a small "just the parents" dinner here on Thursday.  JK, JD, Gary and Pat will be joining our family for a sit down feast!  Then on Friday we are heading up to KC to stay the night with Erin and Aaron.  Uncle Shelby is chomping at the bit to get a hold of Raena!  He keeps asking me how early do I want to get up on Friday and he even suggested that we leave on Thursday night.  I have him convinced now that Friday is fine.  Gives me time to get cleaned up after Thursday's cooking.  Savana and I have started our practices for the annual Christmas play at Eldon.  We are doing A Christmas Carol and Savana has the part of young Scrooges fiance, Belle.  I just have a voice over part which is just fine with me.  And I am in charge of organizing the music.  The play is scheduled for Saturday evening 12/17 and Sunday matinee on 12/18. 
Tomorrow, Savana's Girls Glee group is coming over to my Mills Elementary school to perform about 3 songs for the little kids.  I am sneaking Mom and Dad (Gary and Pat) in to watch this cool performance.  They are even going to get to see my office at one of my buildings.  Can't wait for tomorrow.  Nothing better than watching your kiddos doing the things they love!

Football season ends with the letter "E"

Tonight we attended the Fall Sports Banquet where Lee was awarded his Letter "E" and football pin.  I am so proud of his efforts this year.  He worked very hard to make the Varsity team and kept his grades up during the rigorous practice and game schedule.   It was also announced tonight that he would be a starter for next years team.  I am looking forward to his Senior year and another excellent season of football.

Last week we were thoroughly entertained by Savana's singing groups.  She made it into the Girls Glee and is also a member of the Concert Chorale.  This is the first year for the Girls Glee group and they did an amazing job!  They get to wear these gorgeous bright blue dancing dresses, sparkly and fantastic.  I will be better prepared for the next concert and be sure to get you a picture of the girls in their outfits.

We finally got a start on the new roof for the house.  I did get the hunter green shingles that I wanted, because I made sure that the contractor knew what color I would prefer.  Shelby was not convinced that green was necessary, but I knew it would compliment our green shutters on the house.  I won! LOL!

A busy weekend, full of fun, friends and family.

We hosted the School of the Osage Drama Club bonfire on Friday night.  20 kids and 2 teachers attended, they all brought food and several were dressed in costumes.  It was in the 40's but the huge fire kept everyone pretty comfortable.  They had a great time!

I found some pictures on my camera when I downloaded the Drama Club pics.  Here are a couple from the wedding a couple of weeks ago.  Savana and Daddy dancing and a sweet shot of Shelby.

This picture cracks me up!   They were dancing to the YMCA song.  Lee's arms are hilariously long!  Absolutely cracks me up....

Saturday morning was spent at the bowling alley for the Youth Bowling League.  Savana and Lee are both enjoying bowling again this year.  It is a fabulous deal.  We pay $20.00 one time and they then bowl every Saturday from 9-12.

Sunday was a get together at Kim's for October birthdays and Halloween.  We had a Ghost, Farse Vader, Smurfette, 2 race car drivers, a "born again" band member, Ketchup, Mustard, Hotdog baby, bumble bee, spider man and last but not least "scary guy" Alec.

Meet Amanda

This is Amanda, Lee's sweet girlfriend!  She hides from cameras so I grabbed a few during the bonfire on Friday night.

And the football season continues!

Our boys pulled off an amazing, sweeping win over the California Pintos last night.   So they move on to sectional play.  For the first time in many years!  Needless to say, Lee was very "pumped up" and required another full meal right after the game.  Grandpa Gary came down to watch this milestone game and went to McDonalds with us.  It was so nice to sit with my grown up kiddo, visiting with Grandpa about his new truck and swapping stories.  Wow, my first born will be leaving the nest in just a couple more years....I talk about being very ready for the kids to move out but occasionally it hits me and makes me a little sad too.  Shelby and I have always had kids in our relationship, so for the last 18 years, we have made it very clear that we are looking forward to just being a "couple".  But after you have kids, you are never just a couple!  I am pretty sure that every conversation Shelby and I have has something to do with kids.....or the money that the kids need for something....or the home repair that needs to be done to accomodate the kids....Wouldn't trade this for anything!

Now it is time to wake Savana up.  We are hosting a bonfire for her Drama Club Costume Party tonight and we need to get the wood piled up, chairs dragged out and make sure that her costume is just right!  Watch for some pictures on this one.  Could be quite entertaining!