Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Just as we sent Happy Thanksgiving/We Miss You thoughts to Sarah and Steve in 2007, we are sending all of you this sentiment this year. We didn't make you a poster, but you get the idea. We have MUCH to be thankful for, including you!

Being a Phillies fan is dangerous

I imagine watching the Phillies cling desperately to a two-run lead while trailing the World Series three games to one is just about as bad for your heart as eating a pound of bacon every day for a year. When Madsen finally got that third out, I reflexively lunged out of my chair and did two somersaults, spun around on my butt like a breakdancer and landed flat on my face, where I exhaled for about 30 seconds. My heart has been steadily pounding for about an hour now, and even though our team has successfully kept hope alive for another two days, it will probably continue to pound harder than usual.

For the next 48 hours the regular "thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump," of my heart will be replaced with, "Base-ball, Phil-lies, Ut-ley." My thoughts will naturally drift to who the game seven starter will be, if it gets that far, because Cole Hamels has his head in the clouds and Cliff Lee won't be ready to go for a start since he threw like 112 pitches tonight, and putting JA Happ in there is a risk because he's Rookie of the Year, but he's still a rookie... ahhhh, I'm thinking about it right now.

The only thing that calms me down right now is watching and re-watching the above clip. Chase Utley driving a three-run homer in the first to pounce on the stupid Yankees. Chase Utley hitting his first of two home runs of the night, on a night where he tied Reggie "Mr. October" Jackson for most homers in a World Series. (That record would be five, by the way.) Yes ladies and gentlemen, Chase Utley is the only thing that can keep us calm until then... Go Phillies.

Ray turns 50!!!

Maureen timed her wedding perfectly considering Benner's dad's birthday was just a couple days before. We decided to make our visit a surprise and assemble the family together for a surprise birthday bash on Sunday. Originally it was going to take place during the Narberth music fest, but it was rained out. Thankfully McSheas always has open doors for the Benners and we had the rear portion of restaurant all to ourselves.

Many hands pitched in to make the party a success. Just moments before Ray arrived, we decorated the tables with a "royal theme" for King of Narberth, Ray Benner. The tables were covered with gold cloth, candies (jewels), balloons, candles and pictures of Ray throughout the years. There was a huge birthday cake big enough to feed the entire restaurant and some more to take home.

It's always fun to get together with the Benners. Maddie, Regan and Steven are such cool kids and we enjoy hanging out with them. Ray was a good sport and wore a gaudy crown we got him, fitting for our theme. Chris, Ray, Natalie, Janet, Aunt Marge, Grandpop, Leah, Dave, Aunt Carol, Uncle George, Steve, Grandmom, Babe, Barb, Robert, Will and my parents came too!

Ray, you're an awesome dad and father in law and you're a king everyday to us!!!!!!

Maureen + Chandler = Love!!!

I could not be happier for my dear friend Maureen and her new HUSBAND Chandler Withington! What an incredible couple this pair makes! Benner and I had the pleasure to fly home a couple weeks ago to celebrate Maureen and Chandler and be a part of their wedding. It was an honor. A little crazy....pouring rain and a couple visits to the ER for the the bridesmaids....but it all worked out beautifully in the end!

The day before the wedding Rhi attended to Maureen's pre wedding needs by getting a pedicure and lunch! But then it was all business as they checked off the final items of the to do list and got ready for the rehearsal dinner. Maureen can drive her mini like its nascar if she's running late.

The rehearsal dinner was a sweet night. Chandler shared his love for Maureen in a very emotional and moving speech. My favorite thing about Mo and Chan (!) is how well they compliment each other's personalities. Chandler is a self proclaimed "sap" and toward the end of his discourse we all heard Maureen whisper "wrap it up:)" which was a highlight of the weekend. Chandler's dad who worked for with the Billy Graham ministry talked about what God did in their lives and it was such an awesome testimony to what God can do in the life of someone with an open heart. And Maggianos is delicious.

Despite the rain and a head injury resulting in an ER trip (no, not me this time! Maureen's sister Kristin!--- who by the way is just about the most awesome maid of honor EVER! I seriously think she should consider doing it freelance for cash. Any bride would be lucky to have her.) The wedding day was perfect. The wedding photos came out beautifully I think BECAUSE of the rain and overcast skies. Maureen has NEVER LOOKED SO GORGEOUS IN HER LIFE. I kept finding myself staring at her she looked so incredible! Chandler knows he good he's got it. You can just tell by the way he looks at her! The only real disappointment of the ceremony is that the music system failed and we had to scrap our intensely rehearsed Chris Brown choreography. Sigh.

We all got a chance to boogie at the reception of course. Kristin and her dad both delivered speeches. (I heart Maureen's dad.) From this we learned that Maureen always looks for ways to support and affirm the kids that struggle more in school, that on occasion she likes lollipops for dinner and if Chandler messes up he can win her over with chocolate:)

Let's see, this is getting long so I'll wrap up a few highlights from the night: the band was great, Greg almost ate Benner's face, we got to reconnect with old faces from the past, (Julie and Danielle are preggers!!!) the cake was amazing. (I still wished I had finished Maureen's since she didnt.) And Maureen's creative crafty touches all came together in a most beautiful way. Oh and the candy bar was awesome.

We got to drop the happy couple off at their hotel and had them all to ourselves on the ride there. I'm sure they were thrilled to hang with us:)

Maureen and Chandler, we love you to pieces and are such awesome friends to us. We loved sharing your special day with you. We can't wait to see what God has in store for your lives!!! Congratulations!