Please ignore the goofy grin on my face

This week I'm overwhelmed with happiness, so why not make a list of all the things that are making me smile these days? You know my love for lists, and I know your love of reading them.

- I'm excited to meet this guy:

Ryan Patrick Tanner, born 11/16/11, 8 lbs, 13 oz.

That's right! Baby Ryan finally decided to make his grand entrance into the world- only 2 days after his due date.  Patricia texted me Tuesday night at around 11:30 p.m. (9:30 her time) that she was off to the hospital. That made me so excited I couldn't sleep for another hour.  Ryan was born around 2 a.m. Denver time (4 a.m. here), and weirdly enough, I woke up around that time and couldn't fall back asleep for awhile. I think that must mean I'm Ryan's favorite aunt.  That's the only reasonable conclusion.

- Thanksgiving is next week.
Sorry, I'm going to have to repeat that once more, because if you're anything like me, you keep forgetting this and are startled when you look at the calendar.  So, here you go:

THANKSGIVING IS NEXT WEEK.  

This is the first Thanksgiving I'll spend with my family in more than 4 years.  Don't get me wrong- I love my family. It has been agony not going home to spend this holiday with them. But it usually comes down to money, or lack there of, and time off work, and the fact that I always go to Oklahoma for Christmas time.  Oh, and that whole "I lived in England for a year" thing.

However, I have still enjoyed Thanksgiving over the past 4 years. The first Nov. we lived in Philly, we drove up to Burlington, Ontario in Canada to visit my aunt.  We ate Swiss Chalet on Thanksgiving, and had a big turkey dinner on Sat. It was lovely, and it was the first time Rhett visited Canada and met some of my relatives.

After that, Rhett and I always made a small turkey dinner for two with all the sides, and watched Christmas movies and drank lots of wine. And took a long post-turkey nap with the cats. Everyone was happy, and it was awesome.

This year, there will be a wild 2-year-old to play with, and a newborn to hold, and lots of time to kick back and relax in Denver. I think this Thanksgiving might win.

- I got a new job. :) :) :)
But more on that later....

- I'm getting my hair highlighted on Saturday.
This doesn't need an explanation.  It is obviously the most exciting of all my news.

 - I get to play trains and cars and chase and just have an all-around blast with this guy soon: 

Cheesin'

Whew. Lots of good news this week and lots to look forward to.  It goes without saying that I'm thankful for all of it...but I'll say it anyways :)