We just talked to our oldest daughter, Shannon, and she's on her way home from Port Angeles, with several friends, to join us today. Kelly and Michelle are bringing their kids, and I could hear the two toddlers in the background asking, "When are we leaving? Let's go, let's go! Are we going to ride the ferry?" Kathleen's sweetheart, Jory Shimandle will be here, and Francesca is waiting to hear if Michael Hall, her beloved, can come up from Kent today, too.

The pumpkin and apple crumb pies were baked last night, and now Phil's in the kitchen stirring up more sweet things. I think he may be starting an upside down cake. Looks like cranberries and mandarin oranges are in his mixing bowl. Cassandra and Wayne won't be here this year, but she called and wanted to know if I would be making almond shortbread again... Why, of course!