Santa Claus

It's snowing big wet flakes of snow today. So we thought we'd retreat inside to a nice winter lodge. Well sorta- we went to the Bass Pro Shop. In addition to all the normal fun, they did a great job of bringing us the magic of Christmas. The girls visited with Santa without the long lines and stress of the mall. Lauren is really pondering her wish list. But we all know what's on her heart...... a kitten.

Erin told us over and over in her most boisterous 3 year old self that she was NOT going to sit on Santa's lap. But that's just what she did. Popped up there like it was her plan all along. I think it was the candy cane. Tops on her list this year is a puppy. Santa told them he liked to get the parent's permission before leaving a furry friend. Deb is actually on the lookout for one~ whichever one she finds first. And she'll know she's found it but she just hasn't found it yet.

Jackson enjoyed playing at the shooting arcade. And stayed as far away from the Santa scene as possible. You "don't want sometone to think you are a dork."

Thanksgiving

Myers house has much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. We celebrated in grand style on a beautiful balmy November day. Daniel and Jackson joined about 25 men of the church in some spirited football. This is an annual tradition that this year drew enough men for 4 teams.

Jackson and Daniel joined Milt and his 2 sons and his son in law to form a team.

After we feasted on an amazing traditional dinner. Erin presented herself as pilgram girl. She was so pleased. Grandma Vernie made this costume for her daughter Judy nearly 60 years ago. It was discovered last winter when they were clearing out Vernie's house to move her to an assisted living center in KC.

Pilgram girl sided up to her beloved Uncle Johnny. Uncle Johnny out did himself to create a superb meal for about 20 people.

The Team Party

The Mustangs gathered together last night to celebrate their season and their three years together. We feasted on pizza, listened to team presentations and then the boys played a rousing game of dodgeball. As is our tradition each player was honored for their contribution to the team. Each player in turn stood on a chair (when we started the tradition they were itty bitty and we needed to be able to see them!) and then the coaches have the opportunity to share each boys strengths and talents as well as an occasional funny story.

This is Jack's official team picture. We watched the official team video highlighting the season and the players. Jack was recognized as one of the six "original horseman" who have been with the team since they were a little bitty flag football team. The coaches told Jack that he had served his role on the team with excellence, and had greatly improved his game by playing with a more competitive edge. And then Bill couldn't refuse to mention oh yea this kid through a "near perfect game for me this summer." Jack says "oh he tells everyone about that."

We also returned our league equipment including the helmet. Every little horse shoe was carefully removed and then the helmet scrubbed of sticky stuff. Transferring their accomplishments from this season to another venue. Kinda like what we hope the boys do with all the lessons they've learned through the season on the football field.

Most of these guys have been together as a team for 3 years. Many of them also play baseball together. Go to the same school. Six go to the same church. Most live within walking distance to the football field where we both practice and play. And all but three go to the same school. And we hope that most will end up playing together on Friday nights some day. Playing football on Friday nights is the ultimate goal for these guys.

S-A-TUR-DAY Night

Our city has a great indoor pool. Well normally it's great. But last night the heater broke in the big room that houses the pool. The water was warm but the air wasn't. This fact certainly doesn't bother 13 year old boys. And it didn't bother their mother who was neck deep in the hot tub trying to melt.

A fact of my life is that I live with boys. I'm surrounded. Even occasional forays with my nieces doesn't change the fact that there is a lot of testosterone in Myers house. My husband, my son, and a rotating cast of 3 surrogate sons. So when it came time to purchase a toy for the Church's' toy drive I picked a baby doll. Deb and I went to US Toy and found this beautiful African American baby doll. They had dolls of every nationality and heritage. She was the prettiest. Then I get her home and find that, gasp, she's a boy.

Her little tag read African American Boy. But I loved her, gender identity questions and all. I bought him/her some little bottles and made he/she a little crochet blanket. The boys have had a lot of fun with my sweet little black baby doll. I found her all over the house. She was in my bed when I pulled down the covers one night. One day she was in the bathroom and someone had tied a string around her plastic bag so it looked like she was suicidal. This morning my little gender neutral baby sat on the alter at church. This afternoon she was delivered with her little goods to a local agency that will help her find a little girl to love for Christmas.

Meet me in St. Louie

Last Sunday the Myers loaded into the van and traveled to St. Louis to partake in one of our favorite things. A St. Louis Blues game. And because it also involved one of the favorite things of a good friend. Namely the Montreal Canadians. We also included Nick.

We've done a good job of turning this kid into a hockey fan. But some how he got off course and his favorite team is the Canadians. We love him anyway. Even when he had more to cheer about than we did.

This photogenic moment was completely lost on 13 year old boys. The Myers are a bit crazed about our hockey. We drove 4 hours to watch the game. And then piled into the van which was piled high with pillows and blankets and drove the 4 hours home. We do this every once in a while.

Another high light of this trip was a stop at Gus's pretzels. I do believe that John would have driven the 4 hours just to get those pretzels. Notice there is no picture of Gus's pretzels. This is because I was unable to get the blaze of image that was John running into the store. And he ate 6 (six!) pretzels. He's an amazing man. Amazing enough to drive his wife to the ends of the earth to do something she loves. And to buy the good seats in honor of her birthday.

Surprise!

Surprise! We had a party to celebrate Jackson's 13th birthday. He had no idea that 8 of his buds were gathering at my sisters house to chow down on pizza and pop. Remember his birthday was like a month ago. But we couldn't figure out a good time for a party in the throws of a busy football season. He was very surprised.

My sister was brave enough to invite this herd of 12 and 13 year old boys to her house. Notice that just to Jackson's left is tiny little Lauren trying to hold her own. What do 12 and 13 year old boys like to do? Talk. All at the same time. And loudly. And fart. And then laugh. Continuously.

We had some great prizes. Sam's mateys came up with some good stories about Jackson.

Jack's been friends with most of these guys for a long time. And because he's an only child we grab one or the other just about every where we go.

But that wasn't the only birthday to be celebrated this week. I turned 44 on Wednesday. We all got together to feast on John's potato soup and Deb's chocolate cake. And it doesn't get better than that.

Yes We Can

Myers house is celebrating a new hope for America. I spent the day yesterday at the local Obama headquarters. This Hockeymom for Obama was greeted with a donkey donut and a pretty new blue Obama election shirt. That sweatshirt couldn't last long in the almost 80 degree weather.

I organized drivers who drove people to the polls. What an amazing morning. Wave after wave of people arrived to help. All sorts of people. White. Black. Young. Old. Haves. And have nots. All united. I talked to people who told me over and over "well I've never done anything like this before." We took calls from people who had obviously not voted before.

Later I canvassed with Chris an Opera singer from Oakland, California who is appearing this week at the Lyric theater. We had a targeted list of voters who had expressed an indication they would vote for Obama. Our job was to motivate and encourage them to actually go vote. It wasn't an easy job- we worked a subdivision where every street was named winter. Winterpark, winterpark blvd, wintergreen, winterfountain.

After school Jackson joined the campaign. We canvassed another neighborhood. His job was to help navigate. Read the addresses off of the clipboard, and to help locate house numbers. And he knocked on half the doors. When we returned to headquarters we were meet by councilman Alan Gray on the left, and Larry who I worked with side by side all day.

Jackson met Carol a retired third grade teacher from Long Beach, California. Carol is a veteran community organizer and lent her skills to the Missouri campaign. And just for the record Mr. Giuliani community organizers are the backbone of this great country. (you butt head)

After our lesson in election politics, we were off to his schools family literature night to celebrate books. They had food, fun and lots of books. Jackson made a wallet out of duck tape. A usable wallet. But the highlight was Chief's player Maurice Leggett. It was a little startling to see Jack standing almost shoulder to shoulder with a Chiefs player. But Jack pointed out that he wasn't as tall as a Chiefs player he was nearly as tall as a Chiefs corner back. They are normally small but lightening fast.

On Sunday we had one of those bright, warm Autumn days that makes you glad to breath.

So we loaded up the van with child'ens and turned them lose in the woods. This particular trail criss crosses a nice little creek.

Children don't have as many opportunities to just explore. Lauren screeched when she found "a lobster" in the creek.

Every Saturday is game day at Myers house. The fan club comes out in force. Erin insisted that she wanted to wear one of Jack's jerseys.

Grandma and Grandpa are awfully proud of their grandson!