Demolition derby

The second part of our Thanksgiving weekend was filled with clearing out the basement so that we could rip up the carpet, an activity that the girls were very excited to help out with. 

After a donation run to Goodwill this morning, the girls finally got their wish of pulling up the carpet. I hope it was all they dreamed it would be. 

And with tomorrow's carpet installation, which includes the upstairs area behind the girls' bedrooms, the last vestiges of repairs from our summertime roof/storm disaster will finally be over. Woo hoo!

Thanksgiving silliness

Our friends the Maloneys were kind enough to take us in again this year for Thanksgiving. And hijinks ensued. 

Matthew and Amalia

Claire Bear

The after-dinner show.

Colleen and Lily (note that the men were trying to watch the Cowboys-'Skins game behind them). 

The fourth finale or so. 

Amalia getting into the act. 

Amy J's birthday

The girls helped Amy celebrate her birthday before she and I headed up to New York City for the weekend. 

Sweet, sweet Blue

We had to put our sweet Blue dog down tonight. (Or rather, Andy had to since I'm sitting in a hotel room in Atlanta.) What a good boy he was. And I'd like to think he had a good life.

And to remember him by, here's a picture of Blue in his younger days howling along with Lily's crying--which they both did often.

Parentpalooza

Andy and I recently attended a 50th birthday party for a colleague of mine (shown above--see how much older he looks than us?). 

I thought it would be nice to use the occasion to show a few pictures of Andy and me, since we so rarely make an appearance on the blog. 

Maureen, one of our graphic designers, is clearly saying something hilarious. 

Emily, on the left, is my right-hand woman at work.

Arts and crafts

I've no idea what Miss Monique is saying here. 

Pointed toes!

Working the barre.

We finally broke out one of Lily's birthday presents. 

Think shaving cream and food coloring. 

It was a team effort.