Giving thanks

I'm very excited about my new niece and figure I have about five years to secure my position as Favorite Aunt. I'm beginning to scheme how this will play out already. I feel like I know Rebecca and Megan's weaknesses fairly well. I'm only worried about my competition from the Latchford Twins. I have to figure out a way to undermind them. I'm not beneath fighting dirty. I will spread lies. I will slander and bribe.

If you ask me, the timing of the birth couldn't have been better. I was already planning to spend Thanksgiving in Philadelphia with Vince and Steph, so it was a pleasant surprise to have the addition of Katherine. As far as her name goes, I'm having difficulty calling her Katherine. It's so formal. There are many possibilities as far as nicknames go: Kathy, Katie, Kate, Kay, and Vince's favorite -- Special K -- but I think I'll stick with Kat. I don't care if she hates it.

So my first order of business with Kat will be to tell her stories about things her mom did when she was little, like in second grade when she got us in trouble for making fun of Nathan Hatfield's last name or having to go to the ER for slamming her ear in a door.

Thanksgiving was great as usual. Mom hauled the good part of a grocery store with her up to Philly. She sent all the vegetarian stuffing home with Rebecca. Megan tried to take the fake mashed potatos home with her even though she had a box of potato buds sitting in her kitchen. Lazy. Rebecca pulled out about 13 rolls of photos from her organic farming tour of Europe. Megan tried to enact drawing names for Christmas gifts this year by claiming the family was growing while she is below the poverty line.

I can't wait to do it all again for Christmas.