I was able to go to Pittsburgh for a very quick extended weekend to visit. Marc had come down from N.Y. for the whole weekend because he had an interview on Monday. Laura had to work so she was not able to be there. Matthew and I drove down to West Virginia to pick up Kasey and meet her parents. They live in Morgantown, right across the border from Pennsylvania.
While in Pittsburgh, we played with the boys and some of us helped rake a few of the leaves in the monsterous back yard that is a never ending project. I feel sorry for Jen! Afterwards, the boys played aerobie and frisbee. Marc retrieved a few that had been on the roof for a while. He also played lots of games and legos with the boys. You are a good uncle, Marc! 
While Carson was in school, Matthew and I took Connor to the mall to buy some new shoes that turned into a funny experience. At first, it was "No like new shoes" and then with Matthew's help, we snookered him and Connor later announced "I love my new shoes" to the people at the bus stop. You are a good uncle, Matt!
We celebrated Matthew's birthday and then ended the day with Matthew's spectacular firework 
show. That is always a treat. Matthew and Kasey left later that night to go back to West Virginia.
On Sunday, we went to church and then had an early Thanksgiving dinner because none of us would be together for the holiday. Even Matthew and Kasey came back up. Jen nor I wanted to tackle the "turkey mess", so we substituted chicken, but we still had mashed potatoes, dressing, Jen's special sweet potato recipe, etc. We even had some pumpkin pie that Matthew had made.
Kevin was sick all weekend and everyone took it home with us, but we still had a great time being together!
Just when I thought I had seen it all in Pinetop, Pittsburgh got their 4th largest snow storm in history while I was there. It snowed and snowed and poor Kevin shoveled and shoveled. We knew a storm was coming, but had no idea how big it would be. Thankfully, Jen had gone shopping the day before while I stayed with the boys, so we had all of the 
necessities! After the storm, the roads were closed, many had no electricity, there was a water shortage (go figure!), power lines and trees were down in the roads, church and all schools were cancelled - even Kevin's medical school. So, we made the best of it. We got to do a lot of bonding, play lots of Valentine Bingo, eat chili, hold the baby and stay indoors except for "helping" Kevin shovel. The boys made and climbed on top of the "North Pole" and raised their flag (broom) when we finally went outside. It was a beautiful sight, but glad I don't live in it. I got to come back to Arizona where it was 70 degrees! You don't have to shovel sunshine!
