Gobble 'til you Wobble

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

As is tradition, we spent the day of thanks with Mike's extended family here in Massachusetts. The day started long before sunrise though as the annual Crusaders Cross Country Alumni race was moved to a painful time of 7:45 am. There was a great turn out and Mike ran very well, coming in second. Then it was time to head out to the Britners' house for food, family, wii and LOTS of dogs. As a family of large dog lovers we couldn't complain when everyone wanted to bring their "little" one along but 2 goldens, a lab and two large shepherds later, the kitchen became a little crowded. We had a nice time visiting family and stuffing ourselves silly. Always nice to have an excuse to eat and relax.

I hope everyone's Thanksgiving was as wonderful, relaxing and full of family as ours was. We are so thankful for the friends and family in our lives. Happy Holidays

Obsessed (apparently I am still 13)

Ok so since I haven't been doing much other than this for the past two weeks, I guess I should let everyone know that I am still alive!! I have just been bitten by the "Twilight" bug and have yet to come up for air. I had heard little bits here and there that it was a good book and had planned on picking it up at some point but apparently I was unaware of the 13 year old frenzy going on. I read the first book last weekend and literally did NOTHING else. It was so much better than I expected it to be and who wouldn't be totally in love with Edward? So I am about  half way through the second book and we bought tickets to the movie for tonight. Two hours with Edward?  Sounds like a great Sat. night :o) ok ok so I guess I am a part of the hype after all- but I sincerely loved the book(s).... so I don't really care. Thats about all- I will update you all on my movie critique soooon

.                              mmmm hot

Gus on crack

ok so maybe not really crack... maybe just catnip and a new scratching post but he was definitely a little drunk haha! This is my post for a pretty lifeless week haha- yes we are THIS awesome!

Old friends, fast legs and a runaway

This past weekend was a fun but busy one full of old friends, exciting new things, races and the outdoors. 

We were surprised but happy to get a call that my friend from childhood through college was in town and hoping to move to the Boston area. We were able to meet up for dinner with Rori and her boyfriend Denver. It was a great time with lots of memories and funny stories!! 

We had a fun day Saturday going to Becky's husband's rugby match (game?) not sure what the termage is there :o) But I was so happy to find out that one of Becky's students that I teach Science was there with his parents. I had brought Meli along for the outing and it was so fun introducing one of my favorite little guys to her. He is Deaf and Autistic and was very nervous at first but ended up loving her. She was on her best behavior which was a relief :o)

On Sunday Mike had a memorial 5k race in honor of a brother of one his friends who passed away. The majority of his running team (RTK) turned up for the event and dominated 4 out of the top 5 places. Mike took 5th running a 16:30

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Then it was off to do some hiking in the nearby state park. Meli doesn't get much time off leash (or outdoors for that matter) so this particular event was very exciting for her. She just kept running back and forth like- I'm not going to get into trouble for this???? :o) haha very cute and a fun/cold hike.

We did have a small scare when Simba decided that he needed to take off chasing some unknown creature. We could hear his bark getting fainter and fainter and didn't know what to do. It was a torturous 10 minutes or so before he made his way back, tumbling through the bushes. Needless to say the dogs were on leash the rest of the way. Wheew...

So all in all, a crazy fun weekend with lots of outdoor fun- I know Meli is still recovering... Gotta love this time of year.

Ghosts Ghouls and Dunder Mifflin Too!!

This year, our Halloween theme was the "Dunder Mifflin" couples in the Halloween episode. For those of you that don't watch "The Office" you probably wont get it... but neither did anyone else at the party. I dressed up as Angela, the always annoyed girl at the office. So if I look mad in every picture this is why. My good friend Becky played Pam, Mike was "three hole punch Jim" and Becky's husband Dave was Dwight the Sith Lord.

 Here is "Angela" and Olivia Newton John... apparently Angela thinks she is very annoying with her weights and all her singing...

smurfette made an appearance
as did my favorite cartoon character of the night QUAIL MAN from Doug
And it is never a party unless the always prepared Mammogram Man is there to keep everyone safe and cancer free
My best girls

awkward Jim and Pam
rivalry cats with mammogram man making sure we are free and clear of lumps!!
Angela and her secret lover Dwight... yep, still annoyed.
And the Dundee for best costume goes to.... The awkward couples!!

Good times at Brian's house!! We get together every year for a screaming good time of backyard fires and flaming pumpkins. I work with these people and feel lucky to have such great co workers to share my social time with.

Happy Haunting everyone!!

Fair Family Fun

The Topsfield Fair

Yet another family tradition in the fall... We take a trip up to where the Killam family roots began to experience the Topsfield fair. I believe this is one of the oldest fairs in the country, established in 1818. It has all of your typical county fair attractions- the 1600 lb. pumpkin, the creaky rides, the racing/swimming pigs and of course... the FOOD!! I think Mike ate enough calories to sustain him for the next three weeks! I really enjoyed the baby bunny nursery and all of the animals (like we need any more). Here are some pictures of us with the Autumn ambiance and enjoying our very unhealthy lunch out on the grass. All in all it was an absolutely gorgeous Fall day in New England.

yay fall!  I love all the mums :o)

Apparently Paul saw something he didn't like! haha

Mike snoozing in the sun

Mike's sister Joanne and her girlfriend Addy

pigs pigs pigs!   I want one!!

 the flower displays are amazing!  

  check out this pumpkin!!!   a sand sculpture in the middle of everything! 

Bushels of fun!

This weekend was our yearly apple picking trip. We go with Mike's parents out to a farm in Acton, MA for an afternoon of walking through apple orchards, selecting pumpkins, hay rides and apple doughnuts. It is a great way to experience New England in the Fall and something that I love to do every year. This year we had TWO dogs to tag along. Last year Meli was only about 5 months old and was just as excited this year, especially because it included my in-laws' dog Simba. So here are some photos of a beautiful New England afternoon of fall festivities. 

Meli is ready to go!!

Mike and Meli 

Paul (my father in law) and Simba getting some good ones up high!

Meli thought it was great that the "balls" were edible

Us plus one :o)