Even Darius Was Relaxing at the Pool

Prelude:  After all the Danielle and Melanie drama, I needed a relaxing story.  So I went back to the pool.  This dio was still up because I knew I wanted to do one more story before dismantling it.  At the time I shot the pictures, the sun was perfect.  I had a good ol' time.  After finishing the pictures, I went ahead and dismantled the dio.  Then I went to the computer to edit and post.  DRAMA ensued when I realized all that time I didn't have the camera card in the camera, so I had NOTHING!  So much for a relaxing story.  My old camera would never let me shoot without a camera card.  This new camera just lets you go on your merry way, just shooting up a storm.  My first, second and third thoughts were, "I'm not doing it over".  But Darius was in swim trunks.  They really should see that.  So I redid the dio and shot pictures, again.   The sun was no longer perfect.

 My son, Tyler and his friend Dillon, are playing ball in the pool.  

China and her daughter, Taylor are there just enjoying the water.

Of course my daughter, Alicia, is harassing her brother every chance she gets.

Darius has a couple of days off, so he and Nikki came with Kendra to the pool.  She really wanted to get out of the house.

China's sister, Sylvia and her baby, Sophie are hanging out, too.

 

Jason and Lynn have just arrived with baby Layla.

"So how's the water?"  (Sylvia)

"Cold, but it feels good."  (China)

"Mommy, I'm thirsty."  (Taylor)

"Hand me the water, and I will give you some."  (China)

"Did you forget the juice?" (Taylor)

There is whining in the background.  Baby Sophie is looking for some attention.

"Honey, her swim lessons start in two months.  I was thinking we should bring her to the pool at least once a week to get her used to the water."  (Lynn) 

"What's wrong little mama?  You should be sleep by now.  Is it too hot?  Come on."  (Sylvia)

"MOM WATCH THIS."  (Tyler)

"Stop yelling.  I'm watching."  (me - Vanessa)

Alicia is quickly making her way to the ladder.  I jump into action to catch up with her.

"And where are you going, missy?"  (me-Vanessa)

"Are you sure you are ready for all that baby and toddler action, sis?"  (Darius)

"I am more than ready."  (Kendra)

 

"And when are you going to be ready?"  (Darius)

"Ready for what?!" Nikki

"Babies and toddlers."  (Darius)

"We already agreed that kids would not fit into our lifestyle." (Nikki)

"Well a guy can change his mind, can't he?"  (Darius)

"No.  A woman can change her mind, but a man does not have that right."  (Nikki)

The boys are taking a break from the pool.

"Mom, can Dillon and I play Xbox when we get home."  (Tyler)

"Dillon's mom made it perfectly clear that he is to come straight home after swimming."  (me-Vanessa)

"Can't you call her?"  (Tyler)

"DARIUS!"  (Nikki)

"Well, I'm waiting for an answer."  (Darius)

"These shoes cost $300 and they are not waterproof."  (Nikki)

"Wrong answer."  (Darius)

"Okay, okay.  I will reconsider our agreement.  Now put me down."  (Nikki)

"Do you really want me to put you down?"  (Darius)

"Yes, because I don't trust you around that water."  (Nikki)

"You can be so silly sometimes."  (Nikki)

"I just know how to negotiate and get what I want."  (Darius)

"Darling, that was not negotiating, that was blackmail."  (Nikki)

"It's the same difference.  We are just using different terms."  (Darius)

Jason and Layla are getting acclimated to the water.

"Honey, is it cold?"  (Lynn)

"Come in with us, and see."  (Jason)

"No, I can't get my hair wet.  I won't have time to do it before work tomorrow."  (Lynn)

"Your hair keeps you from doing so many fun things."  (Jason)

"I don't expect you to understand."  (Lynn)

Happy Thanksgiving from Morristown

Happy Thanksgiving from everyone in Morristown.  We hope you had a safe, healthy, and happy holiday!

Well many of the ladies here were up all night cooking their dinner.  Let's check in on a couple of the families. 

The Taylors had a wonderful dinner with Antoinette's two sisters and Darren (the little brother), China and Taylor, their daughter.

The youngest sister favors Antoinette, but sports a head full of red hair that seems to be from her great, great grandfather.

The oldest sister rearranged her schedule to make sure she could attend.

What is Thanksgiving without a children's table?

Antoinette's menu:  Turkey, collard greens, baked macaroni and cheese, homemade cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied yams, dressing and cornbread.

(At the last minute I was finally inspired to make Thanksgiving dinner. The cornbread was already done, and I made the cranberry sauce a week ago.  Everything else I made yesterday and today.  They almost had a vegetarian meal.  The meats were next to the last thing I made. I threw the green vegetables together last.

"Honey we need to say grace before you carve the turkey."

Everyone gathers around the table, holding hands, as Tony blesses the meal.

Meanwhile......a couple doors down, Danielle has just set her table.

 

"Rod, dear, I really think we need to get on with dinner."

Danielle is serving country ham, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, whipped yams, dressing, biscuits, cornbread, and canned cranberry sauce. (You can't have Thanksgiving without canned cranberry sauce showing up somewhere.)  Looks like she forgot to put out the special vegetarian dish she made for Paulette.

I am most proud of my ham.  I made it right after I made the turkey, and I was exhausted by this point. I wasn't going to make the pineapples, but I pushed through.  The collards were my next biggest triumph. I had no idea how I was going to make them.  I took a nap.  Woke up and made it happen.

I nade the cranberry sauce last week, and the biscuits were done a couple weeks ago.  The green beans were the absolute last thing I made right after I made the collard greens.  I was a happy camper.  I felt the same elation when I used to stay up all night and cook for real people.  All the items I made were first time attempts.  There are some things I will do differently next time.  I will make those improvements for the Christmas dinner. LOL.

The guests have been waiting patiently, but Julian is finally getting a little antsy.

Paulette has been keeping Jacob busy.  They have gotten a lot closer since she babysat the other day.

Ian came to dinner solo. 

"Mom, is it time to eat yet?"

"Yes, Julian.  It's time. Can you please help people to their seats?"

So it was a successful Thanksgiving day in Morristown. 

Impromptu Photo Shoot - The Redmonds and The Trotts

I started shooting the new video tonight, but by the time I got everyone dressed and the scenes ready, I was too tired to do the video.  Two of the families, the Redmonds and the Trotts, were dressed and looking nice, so I decided to let then do a photoshoot.

Sylvia and Sophia

This is one of the outfits I got when I bought the $2 dolls at the Doll Show last November. I think it is perfect for Sylvia.

Christopher and Sylvia

I could not get the lighting right, but it was such a sweet picture I had to share it.

China is casually dressed, but still picture perfect.

Darren and China

They all had fun at the photoshoot.  These pictures will be great memories of their time at the beach house.