Thanksgiving 2009

Thanksgiving means a lot of things.... first & foremost, thankfulness for the many blessings in our life...especially our family. The Hancock family has expanded from the original 8 children of Pappy & Granny Hancock to a mass annual gathering. This year we had 67 folks. Some years it's less, other times is more. Sadly, we've lost most of our seniors, though. Of the original 8 Hancock children, only 2 brothers - Uncle Dick & Uncle Thurman remain. And I think Mama is the eldest senior remaining now, and she'll be 84 soon. So we treasure the times we have together, share stories, and try to pass down a much of our family history & geneology as possible.



My brother Gary checking out the most popular table...the desserts!


I'm not sure how or when it started, but every year we go out under the oak trees in Granny's yard & take some family photos.

Gary, Carol & Courtney. (Robert was too busy sleeping to bother coming to Dade City for Thanksgiving this year. *blowing raspberries* We missed you Robert!)


David, Alishia & Levi.


Cole, me, Blake & Ian.



In addition to the family & food, Blake found some pretty flowers... And some sandhill cranes came visiting...I wonder if they were hoping for some turkey or grateful they were not turkeys!?



After the big family gathering is done we head back to Mama's place for a little Christmas fun. This is when we exchange gifts with my family. Blake's jelly was well received, and Ian & Cole are always excited to open what Aunt Carol has picked out for them. And Uncle David's gifts are always fun, too. It was nice to meet Mr. Wilbur, Mama's new-old friend, too.






Black Friday shopping & crowds...no thank you! Blake & the boys went golfing, while Mama & I went visiting.




And as usual, Blake finds something interesting & different to photograph. A pretty sunset, the mossy trees in Townsend House Cemetary, and these 'banana spiders' are harmless, but HUGE. They stay outside, but often have webs covering walkways, so we have to be watchful. They have FUZZY knees!




But as expected, all travels must come to an end. Blake got us up WAY too early - 5:00 a.m. - to start our journey home. I can't figure out exactly how it happens, but we always end up packed to the gills on the way home! I was squashed in the front, while the boys were squashed in the back...but poor Riley was really squashed in the very back. We always leave him room on his doggie-bed, but a 100lb dog just doesn't get a lot of respect when it comes to stretching out room, but he survivied the trip with minimal complaints and we are ALL blessed and thankful to be back home again...at least until we have to go back to work & school on Monday morning!

Who You Gonna Call?!?! Halloween 09

Ahh, Halloween.... the crisp, clear, fall air, the pretty leaves, and pumpkins, and cute costumes. Well, that how it is in some places. For us Halloween 2009 was wet, misty-rainy, cold, pumpkin-free, and had some just plain weird costumes. But that's okay, 'cause we had a blast anyway!!

First in our parade of characters....

Ian as Ghostbuster Peter Venkman. Don't cross the streams!!!!




And Ian matched his new friend, 'Stupid' the boxer...they were exactly the same colors!

Next, we have a character of Cole's very own creation....'The Amazing Fart Face'!!!!
Cole actually wrote a book about him, and has continued to write other stories featuring this most unusal super hero. His costume included the appropriate sound effects...watch out when Fart Face says'Pull My Finger'!




Together - quite a pair of heros??? characters??? weirdo's???....



Now we have Blake...he has leaves dangling from his hat and has to puff & blow them out of his eyes. What is he????




Blake is a Leafblower!


And me....I have snowflakes. NOOOO, despite my dear friend Donna Q's comment "I always knew you were a flake!" I am a Snowblower!



Together, we are 2 cheap & easy costumes!! (Total $ invested...$2.00. The look on people's face when they 'get' our costumes...PRICELESS!)

Rounding out our night of characters, we have nephew Alex, as Harry Potter! Wahoo! Awesome costume - Bravo, Pam, you did a fabulous job making it.




Our Church hosted it's annual JAM Fest/Trunk or Treat... which due to the weather, was moved into the gym. WOW is all I can say. We estimate 750 to 1000 folks came through our church last night. We literally ran out of candy, hotdogs & drinks. That's something that has never happened before. I think a lot of other activities were either rained out, or folks couldn't trick or treat in their neighborhood, so they ALL came to the church. That's cool! We look at it as a community outreach - and that's what we did.

Upon coming home, Cole - still going full speed on a sugar-high, decided to put on Ian's ghostbuster coveralls. I think we have a costume for next halloween, already!