Thanksgiving

Our thanksgiving was great as always.  We went to Jay's parents house about 2 hours away and spent our whole weekend there since we spend the majority of Christmas with my family.  Our time there did not disappoint but we sure did miss Kevin who went to North Carolina to visit his side of the family.  I sure wish the whole crew could be together for just one year.

We arrived Wednesday and started getting ourselves settled and getting things ready for Thanksgiving.  Nonnie took the kids to pick out some toys and here they were giving their new babies a bath with Aunt Jessie.

We enjoyed hanging out and talking to our family by the fire many days and nights.  It was just what the doctor ordered!

Karis got a makeover...

No, we didn't let her wear that out of the house.  Not a fan of toddlers and tiaras haha!  But she sure was proud can you tell?!

Jay's sister Jessica and her boyfriend Ben

Karis painted a canvas with Nonnie (who is super talented)...

We had a "real" tea party!

Brayden got to help Jay give the turkey "shots" before smoking it.  He loved this part!

Thanksgiving we went to Grandmother Lucy's house for the famous Thanksgiving lunch.  Grandmother Lucy always goes above and beyond on the meal...BEST food I ever eat all year.  She is my cooking inspiration!

Grandaddy "Pinto" (Karis randomly named him when she was little and it stuck) was showing Jay and the kids some of his stuff from when he was in WW2.  We were all glued to his stories!

Pinto said he took this off of a Japanese during the war...how cool!

This was the coolest thing.  All the men of war had to wear a dog tag so they could be identified.  But see that indention on the left side???  He said that when they were coming to check bodies, if you were dead, they would open your mouth wide and prop this in your teeth so that they would know you were dead and your identification was right there.  How crazy?!

Pinto was one handsome fellow back in the day!

Check out this Thanksgiving spread...I mean she really outdoes herself every year!  We had smoked turkey, ham, dressing, deviled eggs, corn, cranberry salad, salad, mashed potatoes....

Mac 'n cheese, black eyed peas, green beans, green bean casserole, rolls, and sweet potato casserole.

THEN we had chocolate cake, chocolate pie, pecan pie and coconut cake for dessert.  YUM!  And Grandmother is always so sweet to Brayden and I because we can't have nuts so if there is something that has nuts in it, she will make a separate one without nuts just for us.  :)

Then Uncle Haha took us riding on his bus that he drives.  The  kids were super pumped!!!

Present this year was Jay's mom and sister, Jessica, Jessica's boyfriend Ben, Jay, myself and our 3 kids, Grandmother and Pinto, Judy and Hudson and their two boys, Scott and his wife Emily and Matthew and his fiance' Katie (they are getting married in April).  We missed Kevin and Grandmother Sheehy, Didi and Evie and Kelly and Nicole and their families. 

Scott and his wife Emily

Matt and his fiance' Katie (getting married in April)

Me sweet family

Grandmother Lucy and Grandaddy Pinto

Ben wasn't sure if he would see my kids at Christmas so he went ahead and gave them their Christmas presents.  Sweet!

Brayden and Ben were buds!

Hangin' out at Nonnie's on Black Friday...no crazy late night shopping for us.  I did almost finish up my shopping though at Nonnie's store! Just a few last things for the kids and I will be done.

We left on Friday around lunch and traveled a couple of hours to see Jay's Grandmother Grace.  She has recently moved to an assisted living since Pawpaw died and seems to be doing great!  

Grace and the kids

I have so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!  But just to name a few (in no particular order).....

• A Godly husband who loves us unconditionally and respectfully
• 3 happy, healthy, beautiful children 
• Incredible extended family that takes wonderful care of us and the children
• A roof over my head and food in the refrigerator/pantry
• Money to pay bills
• My health
• Air condition/Heat
• Running water/Hot water
• Conveniences that I often take for granted
• A job where I can stay home and be with my children
• My church family
• Salvation through Jesus Christ

I could go on and on. I guess I am especially thankful for the little things in life that I often take for granted at times.  The Lord has blessed us so much and I am truly...

Thankful.