Visting family for the weekend

 We were thankful to get to go see Jay's family this weekend...it's been too long!  It is always a treat for us to go even if it is for quick trips.  Friday night we hung out at the house and ate BBQ.  Saturday morning we went to Martha's Menu which is one of our fav places to go eat while we are there.  The food is good and cheap although I wouldn't ever choose this...ugh!

 We had to squeeze in our Nonnie time while we could!!

Jay's mom had been telling us that she and her sister had bought and dedicated a downtown bench to their dad, Jay's granddad.  It is one of Pinto's favorite things so we went to see it!

We walked around at a local auction and then went to Bourrom's for lunch, another favorite.  It is an old (still functional) pharmacy with places to eat too.  They have GREAT food and their milkshakes are the BEST!

We stopped by Jay's mom shop which I am not sure if I have ever blogged about.  It is a 2 in 1 store actually and is the cutest!  She has done so well with it and I am so proud of her!  The first part of the store is called the Square Nest and it has everything from jewelry, purses, pottery, candles, sports stuff, etc.  

 

The other part of the store is called Sparkle and it is a pageant, prom and formal shop.  It has some GORGEOUS dresses and jewelry for rent in case you are in need of one!

 

 Saturday afternoon we went over to Jay's grandparents house to hang out and to eat dinner before we headed back.  We love to see them they are some of our favorite people!  Jay's grandmother Lucy is doing something really neat in her spare time that I had to share.  She is using plastic grocery bags and making mats for the homeless and she showed us how they are doing it...so cool!  Here are the steps...

And here is the finished product a 36X72 mat made out of 720 plastic bags!  Isn't this so beautiful?!

 Jay's granddad Pinto asked if he could give Brayden his pocketknife. Of course we said YES knowing Brayden would love it!  It brought tears to my eyes!!!  Brayden couldn't have wiped the smile off his face if he had wanted to...he was GLOWING!

 We love our Pop-Pop!

We had a great time!  All three fell asleep on the way home! Always sad to say goodbye!

 

Thanksgiving at Nonnie's

 After we left Grace's house we headed over to Corinth to see Jay's family for Thanksgiving.  Pop-Pop went to North Carolina to see his mom and daughters so we missed him.  We got there Thanksgiving Eve and the girls enjoyed some makeovers with Aunt Jessie.  They were in hog heaven!

 

While the girls were doing makeup and masks, Brayden worked hours on this masterpiece...

It was nice to sit by the fire and enjoy the evening!

Karis was SOOO proud to wear Aunt Jessie's hair extensions.  She kept looking at herself in the mirror ha!

Lucy wore Aunt Jessie's nightgown that she wore when she was little...

Snuggles with Nonnie :)

Thanksgiving morning we watched the parade and then headed over to Grandmother and Pinto's house for the big lunch.  The kids helped find/crack pecans in the yard.

Thankful to see Pinto up walking around.  He wants to be out in the yard working so bad but just isn't able to. :(

The weather was absolutely perfect so we took a walk around the neighborhood.

This is a little church around the corner from Grandmother's house that Nonnie went to VBS at when she was little.

I love Grandmother's house which is also the the house that Nonnie and Aunt Judy grew up in.  They take such good care of it and there isn't a speck of dirt or dust in that whole house.  It is so cute and cozy!

An hour before lunch was even ready, Lucy was in her seat ready to eat ha!

Grandmother is the best cook I know, hands down.  I want to be like her when I grow up!
 The food was SOOOOO good!

 The best meal I have had all year!

Obviously some kiddos (and their dad ahem!) were worn out!

While I did some Christmas shopping in Nonnie's shop, Jay took the kids to the park.   I love her shop it is so cute and they have great stuff in there.  This is just about a 1/4 of it.

We checked out some ads for deals on Black Friday and of course the kids threw in their Christmas wish list.

Jay asked them what they were thankful for and this was their response...so funny.

I love these two like they are my grandparents!

We got home on Wednesday at about 8:30 and I turned around and went to Target when it opened at 9 to see what kind of deals there were.  There wasn't anything I had to have and haven't been Black Friday (or Thursday) shopping in years I just wanted to get out in it for a while.  I did end up getting some kids' Christmas presents and stocking stuffers but that was about all.  It was fun though.  I got home around midnight.

It was a great Thanksgiving.  I was reminded once again how much I have to be thankful for and how much I take for granted so often.  I am also aware of where those gifts came from and for that, I am most thankful!