Gravy and Good-bye

I was fortunate enough to be able to spend several days this week caring for my newest grandson.

I offered to give him a sponge bath, and Mommy said yes!  I loved every second.  Jonathan endured this well.

I went a little nutty when I combed his hair.

I love him.

This morning I had to say good-bye so he could fly home to Dad and his brothers.  He, the oxygen, and Mom did just fine.  Me?  Not so well.

Sometimes it's never a dull moment around here.  Matt, Will and Papa helped with the turkey.

Will they be offended if I call them turkey masters?  Maybe you are noticing the turkey is missing its wings.  I used them in the stock for the gravy.  Because so many in my family smoke or deep-fat fry turkeys, this is actually the first opportunity I've had to make gravy in a decade or more.

I set the table with the silverware which at one time belonged to Great-great-Grandmother Driver.  With the help of a magnifying glass. the boys found a date of 1912 on the back.  Charlotte Boulter Driver lived until 1923.  Nana inherited it when her mother died in 1930.  Dad got it in 1983, but he gave it to me a few years before he died.

I also inherited a carving set.  Will used it to serve the turkey.  I used my wedding china and crystal today, too.  Don't tell Dad that we were all in jeans, but that's another story.  Ask me later. 

Until today I have bragged about my mother-in-law's fresh cranberry sauce.  Unfortunately, last night my former home teacher brought me some roasted cranberry sauce. It was delicious.  So was the gravy.  Matt especially liked the corn with bacon but not so much the acorn squash topped with apple stuffing.  Will mashed the potatoes.

The boys like fun drinks.

Maybe opening the bottles was more of a challenge than I expected.  Gosh, we had fun today.

Matt tried to make his goblet sing.  Not a sound.  Papa showed him how.

Still nothing.

With ease, Will demonstrated.

Matt finally got it!  Eventually, I did, too.

Then it was time for pie.  Papa's favorite is pumpkin.

Fortunately, I had a can in the pantry.

Everyone Loves Jonathan

Jonathan is a peaceful, sweet baby.  Keeping the oxygen tube in place is a little challenge, though.

Melissa is a wonderful mother, and sometimes she lets me help out.

Matt and Will joined us for burgers this afternoon.  Have I posted too many pictures of burgers lately?  We've been busy, is my rationalization.  No one complains, either.

Our conversations wander all over the place.  Sometimes serious, but usually not.

I've discovered vegetable chips.  I think they are growing on everyone else.  Will had seconds.  Thirds.  Fourths.

I needed to get dessert from the freezer.  Matt offered to hold Jonathan so I could go downstairs.  (Note:  It's not possible to take a baby tethered to an oxygen tank down the stairs.)

There are always dessert options here, but this is becoming a favorite.

Will became curious about the baby.  I won't say he held him, but he talked to Jonathan when he squawked.

Aunt Jenny met Jonathan tonight.  He's always polite, just so you know.

Dad and big brothers flew home.  I took this picture before they left.  Hopefully Melissa and Jonathan can join them soon.