Thanksgiving 2012

 Thanksgiving 2012 was  special because we traveled to San Fransisco to join Mikes family for the holiday.    We spent a week with Bonnie and Jim and had Thanksgiving Dinner at Cathryn and Jon Coons lovely home in Orinda.  It  was a beautiful day with sunshine and 60 plus  degrees.  We sat on their wonderful patio and then had a great dinner with everyone doing their special  part.  I am sorry I did not get a group picture but above are the Nolans...Bonnie, Harry Jackson(a Nolan by default)  Fran and Michael.  Lots of toasts, memories and wishes that everyone could have joined us.  The boys are growing up so fast...Max and Will Coons and Daniel Jackson...the cousins had a great time together.

 Mike and I took several trips into the city to go to Fisherman's Wharf, China town, a Presidio tour, ate  Thi and Vietnamese restaurants and walked all over (people watching is such fun in SF).  We spent Friday in Napa valley visiting wineries.   Bonnie, Mike and I took several hikes in the area and this was very close to their house...a beautiful day with lots of sun.  This lake, Bon Tempe, is one of the lakes that provides water to Fairfax and the surrounding area.

 I had never been up to Mt Tamapias and so we took the long very very twisting road to the top and then hiked around the top...great views but the fog was rolling in so the views of the ocean and the city were limited.  Still beautiful and a big thanks to Bonnie for doing all the expert driving!

 Many of you have stayed with Bonnie and Jim and had the privilege of eating  wonderful dinners with them..  Jim is such a fantastic cook and each night was an adventure is wonderful cuisine.

 His loyal assistant makes it all come together so beautifully....what a pair!

 Great food and presentation.  Shrimp with wild rice, zucchini and onions and salad!

 WE learned a new card game...Hand and Foot...great fun.  Mike and Jim think that they are winners but Bonnie and I eased them in slowly and then slaughtered  them in the last game

 The first night we were there was Nov 20th and was my Birthday and also my brother in laws, Harry Jackson's, birthday.  We went out to dinner with the gang at a brew pub and had lots of fun

I never got a good Golden Gate Bridge picture...this is from the car.
 We got home safe and sound and want to thank all the Nolan family for a great week.  The weather was  60 to 70 degrees and sunny...a great break for us as we have snow here at home. The company was stellar and we had a chance to catch up with everyone.
I am watching Finnley today and she is sleeping so it is a chance to get this on its way.
I hope everyone had a great and thankful Thanksgiving.  Family is so important and Mike and I value ours so much.
Kathy and Michael

Happy Birthday early

We gathered together the other night for an early birthday dinner for my birthday.  Patrick, Heather and Finnley came in for dinner and then we had Birthday Pie...on the birthday board.  The board is a tradition that Timothy started when he was doing a boy scout merit badge.  We write the persons name, age and date on the bottom and serve the birthday desert.  Started in 1996 with Timothy's 13th birthday.  (a little nolan trivia for you all)
Mike and I leave tomorrow for San Francisco to spend Thanksgiving with the Nolan family.  It will be nice to have most of the Nolans together and we will be spending about a week there with Bonnie and Jim.  We should spend a few days in the city and will probably do some wineries in Napa Valley.
  I had to include a picture of Finnley ...smiling and happy.  I have enjoyed Grandma sitting this month and look forward to many more fun filled days.  I may be able to send out a blog from California but  you never know...so I thought I would send one now.  Hope everyone has a thankful and blessed Thanksgiving.
Kathy and Michael

Grandma and Grandpa sitting

 Today was the first day for me for "Grandma and Grandpa sitting" for Finnley Shannon Nolan.
I have been looking forward to the first day and it was a thrilling experience.
Finnley is almost 11 weeks old and her personalty is coming out strong.   She is smiling, cooing and kicking with joy.   It was a great day and took me back to when my boys were babies....so precious.

Mike took the first feeding this morning and bonded with Finnley.  Mike stayed home this morning and we walked him to work in the late morning in the "BOB" stroller...a Cadillac of strollers!

She is sooo  adorable.
She was watching the teddy bear mobile in the antique bassinet.  My Mom was born in 1917 and slept in the bassinet as did I, my brother David and both Patrick and Timothy.  A special time.
I really enjoyed myself and remembered why I love taking care of babies.
So thanks to Heather and Patrick for sharing their delightful daughter with us....I am sure you will all hear more about how wonderful our Finnley is in blogs to come...
Love and Hugs Kathy and Michael

 Happy Halloween!!!
Happy Birthday Riggs!!!

We celebrated Halloween and also celebrate Riggs Birthday.
He turned 10 this year!!! We decorate for both and
Patrick, Heather and Finnley came on Sunday to help us put up the structure.  This is Finnley's first Halloween as you can see from her bib!!  Her costume was a winner...."Adorable Baby"!
The weather was terrible...40's and rain, rain, rain.  The end of Sandy still hanging on in Michigan.   We usually have a big crowd to watch the trick or treat kids but only the loyal and heart ones came this year.  We also had lots fewer kids coming to the door.  It was still lots of fun

             What a great looking family!!

 The house was decorated with tree wood, lights, smoke machine, spider webs and skeletons .  The kids loved it and the ultimate comment from a little guy in costume  "your house is great!"

      The head Trick or Treater watching the candy

    This is what Finnley thinks about Dad stealing her candy!!  Watch out next year Dad.

Riggs usually gets a cupcake but this year we made a chopped up steak burger with a candle...I think he was a happy dog!   Hard to believe that he is 10!
We are out at the cabin for a short weekend and head back for a friends surprise birthday party.
The weather is rainy, cold and even some snow...but still beautiful.
Love to all   Kathy and Michael