Happy 2007! Below are some pics from the little gathering that I attended across the big river. Fun times full of memorable quotes such as, "Hm, horses are big, but I think Mexico is bigger..." or "Have you ever been hit in the head by the moon?" or discussions about which is gentler...mashed potatoes or starfish...all this thanks to the junior version of "Apples to Apples" at a time well past our bedtime! It was also filled with some rather hilarious gifts...such as the unique kleenex dispenser...and the knife that was given to Don due to the fact that he had lost his (as you can see, it was found before this gift was given!)...and my dad received some "loch de icer" for those "midnight" runs to the mailbox when its "30 below and the box is frozen shut" to save him from the humiliation of "lighting a match to thaw it" due to brilliant ideas suggested by my mom.

Also below are two of the highlights of the trip...Avanti's and Monicals Pizza...if you have never experienced these...well, simply put, you are missing out! I have grown up on these two restaurants and they are a perfectly good reason in and of themselves to drive the 3 hours to Peoria...but the good company we go to see is the icing on the cake. :) And seeing the recent addition to the "family" is always a sweet bonus. She's a charmer.

And one more thing...I am absolutely fascinated at how my bags are always heavier when I return to SC after being home. I scarcely have enough room to get them back. Not sure how that always happens. Ha, moving back here is going to be a trick though!