WORKING HARD

In addition to Anthony's job in the restaurant of our hotel, he is also selling merchandise with his (girl)friend Regan at the SunKings games. They are hustlers and have managed to sell more in 3 home games than they sold they whole 1st half of last season.


I am really enjoying being the parent of a teenager. There is so much enthusiasm and willingness to learn about the "adult" world. Anthony looks forward to the days he is working and is excited to calculate how much will go in his savings by the end of his shift. Work is freedom to him... (I'm sure the fact that he gets to work with Regan makes things even more fun!) I quickly learned the importance of explaining the "life skills" we have all learned along the way when Anthony came home with his first paycheck, extremely upset because the government took taxes out. There was practically tears in his eyes while he tried to plead to me that he was just a kid and it wasn't fair! He had worked hard for his money!! I had to break it down simple... the food we eat? The meats? Medicine? It is all regulated by the government for our safety. To keep us safe it takes employees to monitor things, testing to be done...etc. It didn't make it any easier. He still feels like he is being ripped off, but he is beginning to understand the concept. We both had so much pride when he was able to deposit his first paycheck in the bank. He has also learned responsibility and how to use his humor with co-workers and difficult customers. The only downfall? He has now become the biggest cheapskate, since seeing with his own eyes how quickly his funds can go down!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"We can always find something to be thankful for, no matter what may be the burden of our wants, or the special subject of our petitions."

Traditionally this is a day when family and friends get together to enjoy each others company and a BIG delicious meal. For us this year it will be a little different. Kipp is in Texas and they have a game today, he had his Thanksgiving dinner yesterday. Anthony is working at the restaurant in the hotel where we live, and I will be hitting the buffet and getting a good laugh out of having Anthony wait on me!

I woke up today reminiscing about previous Thanksgivings and places that I've spent them. I remember the joy of cooking for 40 people as well as being the guest in Austria with a family that didn't (obviously) celebrate Thanksgiving, but was aware of our tradition and cooked up a big feast for the "crazy Americans." No matter where I've been, these things always remain consistent... Gratitude, reflection and lavish feasts. It's important to remember the people that are in our lives and how much they mean to us. Thanksgiving day also epitomizes the holiday mood of people.

THANKSGIVING FACTS:

**80% of the people where we are currently living are Native American, of the Yakima tribe. I have learned that until recently, people believed Thanksgiving Day to be a celebration of pilgrims, offering food to Indians. It however is a day marked as a gesture of thanks and gratitude to Lord almighty for his blessings. It is also a celebration to mark the respect towards Indians for teaching the pilgrims how to cook. Pilgrims could not have survived without the help of the native Indians.

** On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a fresh proclamation calling for the observance of the fourth Tuesday of November as a national holiday. Later, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November (to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy)in the year 1939. After a storm of protest, Roosevelt changed the holiday again in 1941 to the fourth Thursday in November, where it stands today.

THANKSGIVING JOKES: (Lauren, these are for you!)

Q: Why did the police arrest the turkey?
A: They suspected it of fowl play.

Q: Why did the Indian chief wear so many feathers?
A: To keep his wig warm.

Q: Why did they let the turkey join the band?
A: Because he had the drumsticks

Q: What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?
A: He had an arrow escape.


HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

YAKIMA SUN KINGS

Kipp's team holds the title of the past 5 championships. If they continue to play as well as they have for their first 4 games (all wins!) then they will be well on their way to a 6th. Here are some photos of Kipp's coaching debut!

GOLFING
The reason the pro tells you to keep your head down is so you can't see him laughing. ~Phyllis Diller

Anthony driving golf balls in Washington! Can you believe he is 10th grade now???? AND he has his permit!! So serious!

CAPRICE BIANCA
(American Idol- Katherine Mcphee with our purple fold- over clutch)

Our handbag line is doing well!!... Please check out our blog, you can click the link on the right
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Then... Kipp got a job with the Yakima Sun Kings... so we are in Washington state for the season!! It's beautiful where we live... much colder than Florida but lots of wineries! Here is Kipp and Anthony stomping grapes and one of the vineyards.

Kipp Moved out of his Wisconsin house... and we moved into our Tampa house

Hi Everyone!! I stopped writing on our blog because people that I have never met were viewing it... it kind of creeped me out! But after having some time to think about it, as well as needing a place to post what we have been up to for family and friends, I have decided to start it up again. I really enjoyed logging on and giving updates. It was fun to have a "diary" to look back on and remember certain days. Anyway! So I don't bore you... here are the major updates since I last posted!

We got Married!!