Our timing is perfect - a few days after our arrival in the US it is Thanksgiving. We join with 17 family and friends in a huge spread of food. Everyone brings side dishes. Our assignment is mashed potatoes and to bring wine. We ensure that there is plenty of both. William is called upon to carve the turkey prepare by his sister. Papa leads us in prayer before the meal. It is a fun-filled afternoon and early evening filled with loud talking and laughter.
Over the next two weeks there are several days of family food preparations for the Christmas holiday. We start with making cannoli shells. This event is held at William's parents home. The following weekend we host the traditional ravioli-making day at our home. We have a total of 13 family and friends all pitch in to make 26 dozen ravioli - approximately half cheese and half meat. The ravioli are placed two dozen in a bag and frozen for Christmas and other future meals. During the next week William's sisters and mother hold two days of cookie baking. Hundreds and hundreds are produced to give away to friends and for the family to enjoy.
Our son Jim and daughter-in-law Sally moved to Colorado in September. Christmas is a perfect opportunity to visit with them and see their new home. We find ourselves gathered around their kitchen breakfast bar preparing food and/or talking and laughing during much of the visit. On other occasions we are taking in the beauty of the natural area around Manitou Springs including Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods. It is hard to say goodbye, but we must get back before New Year's Eve.
With another snow storm hitting Chicago our flight is cancelled and then amazingly reinstated. When we board the plane at 7:30 pm for the flight which was supposed to take off at 2:30 pm the gate crew announces that they are only accepting passengers whose final destination is Chicago. All connecting flights have been cancelled. All hotel rooms anywhere near the airport are booked. O'Hare airport is also running out of food. We are happy to be on the flight as the next potential flight for us is over 36 hours away. This is one occasion where I join the people who clap after we land.
Our niece Shelly and her fiancé Phil have planned a New Years Eve wedding in Wisconsin. We arrive the evening before to have dinner with family and to get this party started. It is wonderful to spend time my parents who have flown in from Arizona as well as other family members who have literally arrived from the east coast, west coast and many places in between. The wedding and our room is at the Pfister, a beautiful old hotel in Downtown Milwaukee. Shelly is a beautiful bride and Phil a handsome groom. The ceremony is even more special as my sister-in-law (Shelly's mom) is a minister and performs the wedding ceremony. Everything is first class.
Our niece Shelly and her fiancé Phil have planned a New Years Eve wedding in Wisconsin. We arrive the evening before to have dinner with family and to get this party started. It is wonderful to spend time my parents who have flown in from Arizona as well as other family members who have literally arrived from the east coast, west coast and many places in between. The wedding and our room is at the Pfister, a beautiful old hotel in Downtown Milwaukee. Shelly is a beautiful bride and Phil a handsome groom. The ceremony is even more special as my sister-in-law (Shelly's mom) is a minister and performs the wedding ceremony. Everything is first class.
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