Happy Thanksgiving!!!

My Little Helper

Saturday I thought it would be really yummy to make chilli....and as I was cooking I turned around and Owen had pushed the chair up to "help"....

...little did I know he was only trying to get to the Halloween candy behind the crock pot....DENIED!!!!

Halloween

Mike and Owen had an awesome Trick or Treat!!! Mike was a vampire and Owen was a chicken =) Grandma came over to pass out candy so that we could take the boys. Owen was so happy just to be riding in the wagon that he could have cared less where we went....it was tons of fun!

DisneyWorld Vacation

The entire (yes, all 24 of us!) Gilligan family traveled to Disney World for a wonderful 5 day vacation! This was the first time both boys took a plane ride and they were awesome!! We had a blast! We stayed at the Polynesian Resort and both boys had a great time riding all of the rides at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Hollywood Studios!!! They also were able to meet some real "characters" along the way!! It was a wonderfully magical time and we can't wait to go back!!!

Family, Friends, and Pumpkins!

So, my sister, Kristi and I took Mike, Owen, her son, Corey and Mike's "BFF" Andy to Rennick's Market for an afternoon of pumpkin picking, cookie eating, mazes, and playgrounds! The kids had a blast and I am soooo ready for FALL!!! (I have not had a chance to download my pics, so these are courtesy of Kristi's camera....)

Papa Gilligan (1927-2008)

When Charles "Chuck" M. Gilligan, 81, of Columbus, died Saturday Aug. 23, the world lost some of its humor. This Irish gentleman was known for flirting, telling jokes and having a broad smile. He lived life to its fullest. He was born in Toronto, Ohio and was the oldest of two children of George and Mary Gilligan. He graduated from Toronto High School in 1945 and served briefly in the Navy at the end of World War II. He moved to Columbus to take accounting classes. On April 1, 1952, he began working as bookkeeper for Reis Bros. trucking company, where he was employed until mid-February 2008. He now joins his beloved wife of 38 years, Virginia, who proceeded him in death, to continue their love and companionship and to watch over the family they love.

He is survived by his five sons (and spouses/companion), Michael (Liz) of Plano, Texas; Patrick (David Bishop) of Columbus; Gregory of Richmond, Va.; Daniel (Lesli) of Pickerington; and Mark (Barbara) of Pickerington; eight grandchildren, Shaun (Mandi), Erin and Colin Gilligan and Katie (Chris) Scheurer, all of Texas; Matthew, Ashleigh, Michael and Owen Gilligan, all of Pickerington; three great-grandchildren, Benjamin, Emma and Virginia Scheurer, all of Texas; a sister, Rosemary Onia of Crown Point, Ind., four sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and 17 nephews and nieces; and special friend Betty Campton of Grove City.

The family will receive friends at the Maeder-Quint-Tiberi Funeral Home, 1068 S. High St., on Thursday Aug. 28, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave. on Friday Aug. 29, followed by interment at Holy Trinity Cemetery in Somerset. The family requests that donations be made to the Mother Angeline McCrory Manor, 5199 E. Broad St., Columbus, 43213, or to the American Cancer Society for ovarian research, 870 Michigan Ave., Columbus, 43215.

First Day of School

Oh My! Where has the time gone? Summer is over and another year of school has started! Mike is starting second grade at Tussing (here in Pickerington). I could not be prouder of Mike. He is a great kid with an amazing attitude (just like his mom, I hope!)

Some pics before we left:

Some pics at school:

Cousins from California

My mom's cousins are in town from California, so we ventured to her house for dinner and conversation =)

Alex, Mom, Patti


Front Row: Mike, Me, Grandma holding Owen, Dan
Back Row: Leerie, Leerie's girlfriend Sandra, Bill's girlfriend Jean, and Bill


Missing from the photo??? Kristi and Corey! Corey took a nasty fall down the stairs right before the party started and hurt his arm pretty bad. He ended up going all the way to Children's Hospital and had to have surgery on Tuesday to have pins put in his arm. He is now home and sporting a red cast (his favorite color even!)

Renovations

This weekend was spent repainting the entire downstairs to a single (neutral) color. We are getting new flooring on the 1st floor soon, so it was a great time paint.

So, here's the living room...

Before:

After:

The kitchen....

Before:

After:

The Family Room....

Before:
After:

Reliving the Past....and Making New Memories!

Tonight, I was so excited because my best friend from high school, Darlene, her husband, Dennis and their two kids, Austin and Brooke came over tonight for dinner.

Michael had such a fun time with Austin-they sure became fast friends! Austin even tried to "kidnap" Mike to go and sleep over!

I had a great time with Brooke. She is a very sweet and beautiful 4 year old, who can sing Pat Benetar and Foghat with the best of them! (Darlene likes to play Guitar Hero!)

Owen loved Brooke, too....he followed her around everywhere-and she was sooo good with him!

It was so wonderful to catch up with Darlene and Dennis. Once again we left the night wondering why we don't do this more often!!!