Getting Back Into the Swing Of Things...

I have been so bad at blogging - it seems like all I ever do lately is huge recaps of what's been going on.  Well, it seems like this one will be more of the same.  Although I promise to try to keep more on top of things...

Thanksgiving was another Smith/Gray/Shepherd trip to Galinburg.  It was a ton of fun - as usual.  There was some brutal UNO games, horseback riding, hiking, eating (of course!) and family squabbles over who's turn it was to hold new baby Ethan - plus the obviously required trip to the hot tub.

Plus - dad took this wonderfully fabulous family pic of us all.  ((there was a "proper" one of course, too - but this one says it all!))

Christmas came next - with all the hustle and bustle that comes along with it.  It was a great time spent with family and friends.

Now that the holidays are over, I'm assuming life will slow down for a bit - until softball/baseball seasons start up again in the spring.


I am really ready for the weather to warm up a bit - don't really like freezing my tush off every time I go outside.  But, I have decided to attempt the read-through-the-Bible-in-a-year thing one more time.  :)  I'm hoping these cold winter months will get me into a habit of reading so it won't be so hard in the spring when things get super-busy.


I guess that's it for now.  Sometimes I wish I had some enlightening words or deep thoughts...but I guess today I'm just empty.  I think I'll take a nap...

Mindless Fact Monday ~ November 24, 2008

Thanksgiving Edition

~ The pilgrims arrived in North America in 1620. By fall of 1621, only half of the pilgrims had survived. The survivors, thankful to be alive, decided to have a Thanksgiving feast.

~ The pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford, organized the first Thanksgiving feast and invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians. These Wampanoag Indians had taught the pilgrims how to cultivate the land.

~ George Washington, and others, wanted to have an official day of Thanksgiving, and proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. Several people did not want it, including Thomas Jefferson, who thought Thanksgiving was "the most ridiculous idea I have ever heard."

~ Abe Lincoln issued a "Thanksgiving Proclamation" on October 3, 1863 and officially set aside the last Thursday in November for Thanksgiving. Previous presidents used to make an annual proclamation to specify when Thanksgiving would be held.

~ Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be the turkey instead of the bald eagle. According to Franklin, "The turkey is a much more respectable bird, and a true original native of America."

~ In any one year, 250 million turkeys are raised to be eaten. However, 45 million turkeys are eaten on Thanksgiving alone.

~ The average weight for a Thanksgiving turkey is 15 pounds.

~ The heaviest turkey ever recorded was 86 pounds.

~ Israel has the highest turkey consumption per capita.

~ The average person consumes 4,500 calories on Thanksgiving day.