This Thanksgiving was a little different than in years past. Chris and I normally load up and go to Gatlinburg to celebrate with members of our extended family; we missed seeing everyone. However, this year with so many unknowns after Ivy’s recent arrival, when I would be going back to work, new house, etc, we decided not to rent a chalet and spend the holiday at home. Compared to recent years we had a small gathering at Mimi and Papa’s house with Grandpa, Deedee, Aunt Stacy, Uncle Mark, cousins Sara and Katie, and Mark’s parents but it was loaded with fun and lots of yummies. 

Grandpa and Deedee got to spend a few nights with us too. The girls loved having them at the house to play. Mommy and daddy enjoyed a little break while they were playing too. Leia’s enjoyed reading stories and piling stuffed animals on Grandpa but when he had sissy she needed to climb up in his lap too. Deedee got lots of hugs and cuddles from our girls and their cousins on Thanksgiving Day.

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Upon arriving to Mimi and Papa’s house the girls all immediately began playing and when we asked about pictures they all sat beside the fireplace. Each of the big girls wanted a chance to hold baby Ivy on Ivy’s first Thanksgiving. We are lucky she is such a laid back little girl or they may not of all gotten their turn.

We rarely get family pictures at Thanksgiving but this year we declared there to be family picture time and everyone had to participate before lunch so the kids (and kid at heart) outfits were decorated at lunch.

Mommy and her girls … they would not corporate for a picture of all 3 of us at once.
 

After lunch and the yummy desserts the girls all needed to get rid of some energy. There is always plenty of free entertainment in Mimi’s yard. She came up with a great idea for the girls while the boys watched football to pick up acorns and use them to cook. The girls were busy gathering their supplies from the yard before going up tot he kitchen to prepare a feast they served to moms and grandmas. Sweet Ivy snuggled up in the warm arms of whoever had her at that moment watching (I am sure next year she will be in the middle of it all).

After the cooking festivities the girls played chase that turned into a game of red light – green light. Leia grasp the concept of playing green light-red light with her cousins this time. Of course, big cousin Sara was in charge of announcing the color of the lights and determining when everyone could go or not. Leia and Katie followed Sara’s instructions for a little while but Leia decided she was tired of following orders and turned around to declare, “no, green light” before taking off again. I think we may have two alphas in our pack.

From there we went on to play ring around the rosie (Papa joined the girls for this game). They loved everyone falling down but sometimes they thought it was funny for the adults to fall and them stay up so we had to pull them down with us; other times they would enjoy tackling us to make sure we fell all the way to the ground.

 It was a great day for everyone! We hung out the rest of the day at Mimi and Papa’s before coming home and pulling out Christmas decorations to get the house ready for Christmas.

Top 10 things I am grateful for this year:
1. Knowing Jesus Christ is my Savior and one day get to spend eternity with Him
2. Being married to a  wonderful husband who I love more and more everyday
3. Our two precious girls that fill my days the day with joy, laughter, and keep things interesting; I can’t imagine life without them
4. The best parents a girl could ask for!  They have always loved, listened, and supported me unconditionally and now love my children and hubby just as much
5. Being blessed with great in-laws that raised their son to be the man for me to share my life with, comes just to love and play with their sweet grand daughters, and has always made me feel part of the family
6. An amazing sister that is also one of my best friends (no one knows you like a sister does) and gave me an incredible brother almost 5 years ago; I love you both bunches
7. Sweet nieces and a nephew who I adore and am excited that my girls will get to grow up with cousins as playmates
8. A sister-in-law and brother-in-law that I don’t consider ‘outlaws’ and
am honored to claim as my own
9. Fabulous friends that help turn rainy days into dance in the rain kind of days
10. The ability to work.  Chris and I both have good jobs that help keep a
nice house over our heads and yummy food in our bellies  (better yet I
am able to work part-time so I can spend more time with the girls – being a mommy always was what I said I wanted to be when I grew up)
*So most of the things aren’t really things that I am grateful for but people that enrich our lives