They are in the mail...

Quick family update regarding out Family Christmas Pages - they are in the mail! Note of explanation: last year, instead of exchanging gifts as couples, we decided to send a 2-page "scrapbook" type recap of the year. They are put into sheet protectors and kept in a binder that Cristin provided for us last year.

This year I got to do the color copying, collating and mailing. I loved it for two reasons:

1) I got to see everyones pages first
and
2) I didn't have to actually have my pages ready until
everyone else's had been received :)

One sweet lady at the copy center asked me about the pages, asked to look at them and then came back to ask more logistical questions... perhaps next year there will be another family doing something similar!

The picture is purposefully vague - just enough to get you excited but not enough to ruin it for anyone!

McJanesgiving '07

by Mont, Kristy and just a little Lisa!

Lisa's horror at learning of the "Tree of Life" in the men's showers at the MTC; will never be able to read 1 Nephi again.

McJanesgiving '07 economic impact: Butane prices spike; analysts point to Maggiano's endless creme brulee policy. Recyclable aluminum prices plummet -- supply from Montgomery County, MD triples.

Zola and Bitty Baby? Pure magic.

Maybe it's time TOG got the short nertz stack.

Rhett's restaurant/guest arrival algorithm worked great. Next year's challenge: downstairs shower times for 19 guests.

Really: from 5 to 6 am on Thursday morning, nobody was awake and nothing was being eaten.

The beautiful, thoughtful place cards from Emily, the next Martha Stewart.

Seriously: which one of you girls will marry Drew?

Who can name the 10 airports needed to get everyone there and back.

WinterSuites comes through again -- the guest suite on the ground level was perfect.

McJanesgiving '07 -- the only thing lacking was more time together.

If you ever run out of rolls you can always use York Peppermint Patties to sop up any leftover gravy.

Thank goodness for Cara's two birthday cookie cakes -- we were down to our last 7 pans of dessert items.

Thank goodness we didn't end up with 17 cookie cakes that all said "Happy 7th Birthday".

Magnetic pull of Red Cliffs Mall causes Alicia's GPS to go haywire, nearly becoming the "Drew's suitcase" of McJanesgiving '07

Highlight: the excursion to the Maryland Museum of Art and Rugs. Oh wait -- we never left the house.

How many Monts does it take to screw in a light bulb: Mont shows off his one home handyman skill.

Refuting decades of infant studies, Zola prefers inanimate Bitty Baby over constant human interaction.

No matter where you want to go in the DC area, you can get there by turning right at the Bethesda Barnes & Noble.

One thing missing from all the holiday merriment: no TOG Dance.

Past years: rousing McNeil brothers decathlon. This year: a couple of half-hearted ping pong games and three viewings of the Freaks and Geeks and The Office DVDs.

Note for McJanesgiving '08: the turkey and yams aren't still in the downstairs mini-fridge, let's hope.

Wintersuites math: any Janes + any McNeil + any Lunt/Robb-McGrath/Antonitis = big-time fun.

Yikes, a quick "ketchup" is in order!
The last 6 weeks from A to Z
In alphabetical and not chronological order...


Alicia came home for Thanksgiving - But her visit was too short.

Bob, the mailman, complaining of back strain refuses to deliver
anymore college applications, brochures, or
"Cara, we want you to apply to _________" letters to our home.
Recyclers rejoice.

Hosted Book Group.
(Read the Golden Compass, ah, the controversy...)

Christmas decorations are already up - because we hosted a Cookie Exchange. Craig is in Christmas Heaven - Lisa not so much?!

Cara turns 17!

Quick trip to the Drewes - I'm not sure if I was any help with the new baby,
but I had a great time being there...

Drew and Eliot arrived for Turkey-day sporting new haircuts, both are as entertaining as ever.

Enchanted, the movie.

Friends

Thanksgiving was all about good friends, good food and good fun.

We finally got to see photographic proof than Dave and Jana spent
time in Greece. We are hoping to hire him as our personal tour guide some day!
Finally someone who enjoys talking to Craig about ancient history :)

Heavenly

Ice Cream
Not quite USU, but Penn State and Meyer Dairy do a pretty good job!

Jana's morning runs were an example to us all!

Kim's salad took top honors in the
"We should probably eat something healthy at least once this week"
category.

The Lunt's


"May the Farce be with you" rehearsals take over Emily's life.

We love the McNeils

Nertz

Overeating

Pie

Emily's name cards get her named Queen of Crafts.

Rhett reviewed Cara's papers and gave them his professorial okay.

Sightseeing on the mall (possibly just an excuse to find ourselves near Les Halles)

Tracey and Eliot return to the scene of the crime!
(Engagement '06)

Thanksgiving Top Ten - to follow...




Unbelievably Very Wonderful Vacation-like Week

Xtra Yummy

Zola, Bitty Baby wants to know when
you are going to come back to play.