Labor Day Outtakes & the Build up to "the photo"

LOL.

I did have the presence of mind to check things out

BEFORE heading to the party.

Shocking I know,

 but I hardly use my remote and if

you'll remember from past posts I had a

really hard time finding the remote let alone 

figuring stuff out.

THEREFORE, 

found remote - check.

read the directions - check.

gave said directions to Tom for interpretation - check.

Tom figured out the settings - check.

tried to use remote - check.

a new battery was needed and shockingly Tom had one.

Check.

I'm good with the tripod - check.

 Then it became a timing issue because of the light.

Then there was the issue of how far did my remote go.

So Cami and her pal Isabella helped me out.

Well then mostly Cami.

 So here is the series of "how far does that remote go."

Cami looks amused.

 I'm having a good time.

Because of the light or lack thereof as well as skills

I decided to break  tradition with the photo at the fence to

photo on the steps.

Then there was another remote check.

 Gathering peeps celebrating was like herding squirrels.

 Getting everyone to pay attention was like herding squirrels.

Trying to be subtle about using the remote.

 Gave up subtle because everyone was getting impatient.

and shazam- there's all the squirrels paying attention.

Of course the kids were nowhere to be found for this photo

and when the kids finally appeared the crowd had long dispersed

and had zero interest in lining up again

SOOOOOO.....

 SO kid photos were done separate.

And then there's always that one.

Zachery (the one in the middle)

 late to the party.

All in all a good time was had by all.

Carried away with stickers

Bella Blvd. stickers do rock.

And I used them all.

 Well most of them anyway..

 As  you may or may not know from a previous post I

was whining about my lack of mojo

in addition to my thoughts and fears on hosting

the Murphy Traditional Thanksgiving.

So I borrowed one of Shimelle's favorite designs and went from there.

In addition, I didn't lay anything out - I just went for it.

I love how it turned out - simple and sweet.

It was alot of fun cooking and planning and it had a bit of stress going on.

okay alot of stress going on.

But it was fun to do - 20 people showed up

and out of them 6 kidlets who

ended up at their own table that worked out perfectly.

Since I was running about like a maniac all day - this is the only photo I got.

And it has to do. 

Imperfect photo - scrap that baby anyway and tell your story.

My man carving up that 25lb turkey.

And of course we dined on all the prerequisite sides and desserts.

The weather was lovely and all 20 were seated on the lanai family style.

(outside people - and yes I'm bragging about it)

And that is what the Murphy Tradition is about.

You have to come to Thanksgiving dinner - no excuses ever

and if you have friends or acquaintances that

have nowhere to go - you bring them.

Or else.

It's how they rolled for generations.

And this year me and Tom (not the turkey) were extremely

pleased to open our home.