As we had done in
2000
2001
2002

Thanksgiving day, we loaded up the car IMG_0565 and checked the time IMG_0566 while waiting for Jane to emerge IMG_0567 for a stop at the Wawa where this sad sign IMG_0568 greeted us. We drove on and were willing to pay this price IMG_0569 to fill the tank IMG_0570 so that we could drive on and execute bad parking IMG_0571 at this rest stop IMG_0572 where the facilities IMG_0573 made us happier when we saw Erika IMG_0574 and after some assembly IMG_0575 took this family photo IMG_0576 for our records. WE drove on and got to Pittsburgh as these cars IMG_0577 were being pulled over. In the Gespass house IMG_0578 there was lots of food IMG_0579 as Danny IMG_0580 got ready to go off and the cookies IMG_0581 symbolized what we'd be eating and so encouraged that we take a hike IMG_0582 along this trail. Little did we realize that there would be many challenges along the way like the parallel bars IMG_0583 IMG_0584 and stretchers IMG_0585 before we could complete the course IMG_0586 and head for the swings IMG_0587 IMG_0588 IMG_0589 IMG_0590 near which was this inspirational bench IMG_0591 where we took a brief rest.

Back at the Gespass residence, food was being assembled IMG_0592 as Norma and Milt IMG_0593 Suzanne IMG_0594 Robert IMG_0595 Ben IMG_0596 Sally (up close) IMG_0597 Sally and Jane, IMG_0598 and Andy and Milt IMG_0599 got ready to attack the serving table IMG_0600 and bring food to the dining table IMG_0601 as Robert did with this plate IMG_0602 to the amusement of Suzanne IMG_0603 Danny IMG_0604 Jane and Milt IMG_0605 and himself IMG_0606 which led the others IMG_0607 to watch television.

The next morning, Suzanne IMG_0608 was barely awake but she was watching the Today Show IMG_0609 before our trip to Starbucks where we were told photography was not welcomed. I did catch this sign in the men's room IMG_0610 which was educational and then made an image IMG_0611 of the key they gave me to get in. Fern Schwartz showed up IMG_0612 and I recoreded her in that sacred location. Later we went back to the Gespass house where people gathered IMG_0613 around the lox IMG_0614 to listen to the birds IMG_0615 which caused Suzanne IMG_0616 to take another bite IMG_0617 of the chocolate cake IMG_0618 which amused Any and Debbie IMG_0619 though the people upstairs IMG_0620 were completely engaged IMG_0621 in video games. Jane and Sarah IMG_0622 talked about the turkey IMG_0623 as we organized IMG_0624 and had Sarah IMG_0625 plan our logistics IMG_0626 IMG_0627 IMG_0628 as the lox IMG_0629 stayed on the table.

The girls and I drove on and parked well IMG_0630 in order to get a P F Chang's picture IMG_0631 for that collection before heading to the movie theater IMG_0632 where the line IMG_0633 led us to the girl IMG_0634 who sold the tickets to Sarah so that we could explore the mall. At American Eagle Outfitters IMG_0635 the girls IMG_0636 were met by this person IMG_0637 who said we could do photography there. Next stop was the Gap IMG_0638 and in we went IMG_0639 before going to Bath & Body Works IMG_0640 and viewing Victoria's Secret IMG_0641 from a distance with fire engines IMG_0642 in the way. In Kaufmann's, the help posed IMG_0643 and Jane IMG_0644 was thrilled when Kara IMG_0645 rang up our sales at Dick's. In L'Express, this entire effort IMG_0646 IMG_0647 IMG_0648 IMG_0649 IMG_0650 did not yield the right shoes so we decided to take a break at Panera where these treats IMG_0651 each had a ridiculous number of calories. So, I had a sour dough roll IMG_0652 for only 105 calories as Jane IMG_0653 and Sarah IMG_0654 consumed their calories.

Dinner was back at the Gespass house IMG_0655 with Norma IMG_0656 trying to call Abercrombie and Fitch as Sarah IMG_0657 IMG_0658 Ben IMG_0659 Andy IMG_0660 and Jane IMG_0661 watching as I tried to take a self portrait IMG_0662 which amused Sarah IMG_0663 and freed the knitting bags IMG_0664 before the food IMG_0665 appeared. Next there were attempts to take my picture IMG_0666 and Ben's IMG_0667 and a picture with Jane IMG_0668 IMG_0669 IMG_0670 in the Blair Witch mode. The food came IMG_0671 and went IMG_0672 as Suzanne IMG_0673 considered a seat IMG_0674 and Norma and Jane IMG_0675 and Milt IMG_0676 and Suzanne IMG_0677 got ready for dessert. IMG_0678

The next day, Suzanne awoke IMG_0679 and read the paper with Sarah IMG_0680 IMG_0681 as Ben emerged IMG_0682 and Andy made coffee IMG_0683 while Jane slept IMG_0684 and Red Teddy IMG_0685 made a rare appearance. Andy looked about IMG_0686 as the birds sang IMG_0687 and once Jane finished packing IMG_0688 we braved the car IMG_0689 and said farewell to Debbie IMG_0690 and thanked her for being a wonderful hostess even as Red Teddy IMG_0691 IMG_0692 IMG_0693 put on his show for the mothers IMG_0694 and after much applause IMG_0695 IMG_0696 Ben's sisters IMG_0697 convinced him that it was time to bring Red Teddy IMG_0698 to pere and mere Gespass where they were watching the CSpan Book Tour IMG_0699 as Milt welcomed us IMG_0700 and we had another breakfast IMG_0701 IMG_0702 IMG_0703 complete with very photogenic apples IMG_0704 and a napkin that did not do well with flash IMG_0705 or without IMG_0706 so it seemed like we needed to make one more Pittsburgh excursion.

We drove to Whole Foods IMG_0707 where Suzanne was enthusiastic about the produce IMG_0708 as we bought yams IMG_0709 and then soup IMG_0710 and breads IMG_0711 IMG_0712 IMG_0713 IMG_0714 before checking out the prepared foods IMG_0715 IMG_0716 IMG_0717 which she IMG_0718 rang up for us. The potatoes IMG_0719 and soup IMG_0720 needed some fruit IMG_0721 and a sandwich IMG_0722 after which this person IMG_0723 showed off the truffles IMG_0724 before we looked at dairy IMG_0725 and smoked meats IMG_0726 which made me need to learn more rules IMG_0727 and then come back for the lox IMG_0728 and some produce IMG_0729 before it was suggested that maybe I shouldn't take pictures in their store. So, we loaded the groceries IMG_0730 and headed for the oldest rest stop on the turnpike IMG_0731 where she IMG_0732 confirmed my belief that it's fine to take pictures in a Starbucks. After a long ride, we saw this welcoming sign IMG_0733 that told us we were indeed there yet.