Thanksgiving in the Robert Poling house....

was rather unorthodox this year. You see, Genny was diagnosed with swine flu the day before Thanksgiving. So Thanksgiving Day consisted of taking care of our very sick Genny as she barfed and watched the Macy's parade and several episodes of Dora the Explorer.

The highlight was when she consented to eat some plain pasta and drink some sprite and watch funny cat videos on YouTube. (this was while Robert was eating a lovely Thanksgiving meal with Audrey at his mom's house.... )

Here's Genny's favorite cat video right now. It's fun.


Audrey didn't get sick until Saturday. She's better now.

There was snow. Since our assignment was to include something funny that someone said, I've put this picture in here. Genny got up Monday morning to snow and yelled at me (accusingly) "MOMMY, WHAT HAPPENED?"

We're ready for Christmas!

Thanksgiving Post

We had a blast this year! Cute quote of the year was Carly, as we were leaving Mimi and Jeff's and she said, "Jeff is your step-dad?" I said, "Yes." She said, "Well, you sure got a nice step-dad." And he is! He fixed Carly's bike tires AND took her to see a movie.
I have a funny memory to share. You know that, "Where am I?" look that I have on my face so often? Well, it's because I don't know where I am. Or, very often, I am in a parking lot and I cannot find my car. So I can tell this story without feeling guilty.
One year, Granny Merrick was at our yearly Thanksgiving (or was it Christmas?) celebration at the ranch. And she was at the age where she was beginning to become a bit confused (hello, me on a daily basis.) And she asked Mom, "So, what do you teach?" Mom replied, "Fourth grade." She didn't hear mom, and asked her to clarify. And so it went over, and over again, until Mom was shouting, "FOURTH GRADE," while holding up four fingers in an attempt to communicate through sign language. Finally, we all saw the lightbulb go off, and Granny Merrick said, "Oh, you teach FIRST AID." We all nodded and grinned.

Our First Turkey

Since Parrish's Grandma is going through Chemo right now, we offered to host Thanksgiving at our house this year. Which ended up being a group of 20 people! It was lots of fun, lots of work, and I now have a huge appreciation for every host and hostess in my life! We bought a 20 pound turkey a few weeks ago...we named him Bob. Bob the Bird.

Fun Day in Benbrook

We had a fun time on Thanksgiving day. We ate early, decorated our own table cover, watched ball games, laughed at the funny kids, and enjoyed the 70 degree weather. Quote for the day was from Conrad, as he held his half eaten cookie, asked Molly, "Can I have a cookie?" He ate probably a dozen all together. I thought that was just fine, as I had about that many too. Thanks, family, for a wonderful day.

Thanksgiving at Linda's

We had so much to be thankful for this year. Good food prepared by Mimi was at the top of my list! Mom skipped the turkey this year and made a yummy roast. Carly, Conrad, and Shelby had lots of fun chasing each other around and exploring the neighborhood. Haley slept most of the day as long as she was being held.

Over the past few years, it has become a Thanksgiving tradition for the Morris, Pfaff, and Rowland families to take a group photo for Mimi's Christmas card. Every year, we take at least 10 photos, and every year, not one of them has everyone looking at the camera. This year was no different! Here's my favorite:

At least Bryon and I are looking at the camera! Oh well...we can always try again next year!

Poling Family Reunion 2009!

I thought that since this is the Poling Family Blog, maybe we should post a photo of us at the reunion. See, I might not be the sharpest crayola in the box, but I can connect a few dots given, say, 2 weeks to think about it.
You might be a Poling if:
1. Crap Swap is not only a common word in your vocab, but is also one that has a positive connotation.
2. you said, "I can't believe it's raining. Is it still raining? Wow, the rain!"
3. you participate in country entertainment (guns, beer, ATVs, kites)
4. you are handy at fixing ceiling fans in high pressure situations (you with me Mer?)
5. your closest brush at fame was your image projected on a big sheet in Walt's living room
6. you took at least 500 photos in front of the new Poling Ranch sign
7. one of said photos was your Facebook profile picture
8. you got all dressed up in your swimming gear to eat breakfast with the family
9. your family reunion shirt theme is beer and guns.
10. you are talented, fantastic, and brilliant (or you are married to someone talented, fantastic, and brilliant.) :)

Can ya'll think of any others?

Annual Report

I think we should continue last year's Happy/Crappy challenge from Meredith. We are starting some wonderful family traditions and this was one of my favorites. Who goes first?

What's missing?

I think we need 3 more ladies to add to this fine looking family picture!! What do you think?? This was taken at their cousin's wedding in Edinburg, TX March 28th.
Gary did a great job officiating the ceremony!

If you haven't seen yet...

If you haven't seen our update yet... check it out!

www.happyandersons.blogspot.com

- Carson and Julianne

Looking for Good Home

Remember this buffet? I brought it to Kerrville 22 years ago. It belonged to Laura Lee and JM Poling, then to Mother and Daddy. I was planning to strip it down to the oak, but meanwhile, I got pregnant with Landon and haven't had time since. Let's see, he's 21 now.....

Anyway, I had the matching table rebuilt to a smaller size, but I would like to keep it. I am just out of space for this piece. I could pass along 2 of the chairs that match.

It's so retro, and kinda cute. Anyone have the perfect spot for it? We'll deliver! Well, maybe!