Thankful

We had a great Thanksgiving with all our family this year. We were very disappointed we couldn't travel to Kansas City to see the other side of our family. Tad's last trial started this past Monday so that pretty much eliminated any travel plans this holiday season. My sister's family came to visit and with my brother living here now it was the first Thanksgiving in several years all us kids have been together.

My mom with all her grandkids home (we had to bribe Connor w/ a candy cane)


We started the day with Tad and Brian running the Turkey Trot (5 miler). I was going to join them and our friends Jane and Cynthia but couldn't juggle the kids schedule w/ the dinner preparations. Maybe next year. Anyway when they got back we headed over to my mom's for a delicious meal. Her brother and some of his family came and so did our grandparents. It is always fun to have a houseful of family. We look forward to doing it again for Christmas at my grandparents house.
The cousins playing w/ my old Barbie McDonald house- the boys only did this b/c the girls were home..it is usually packed away.

We enjoyed another few days w/ my sister's family, let the kids exchange xmas presents and made gingerbread houses. Everyone had a good time...although I'm sure the chaos of 4 kids and candy, was more noise than Uncle Brian usually has around. He is so good to put up with our craziness.



Peyton's house-he had a mild obsession with sprinkles on the front of it.

Kylie

Kenzie

Uncle Brian and Connor- Funny story- the boys and I have been reading The Gingerbread Man stories so after Uncle Brian helped him put a graham cracker door on the front he was convinced we needed to open the house. He told the gingerbread man to come out. Here he is in the stare down.

Here are a few things I'm thankful for as this year comes to a close.
* Our family is healthy, we have had some doctor's appointments lately that all ended up with good news
* At 30 years old, both my grandparents are still living. My boys love their MeMaw and PaPaw and we have been blessed they know them. We get to see them often, not as often as we'd like but often. They love MeMaw's cookies too.
* We were able to spend 2 weeks on vacation this summer and time with each sides of our family.
* We are blessed my brother just bought a new condo and is living back in Columbus close to us.
* We got to see my sister and her family sooner than we expected.
* Tad is currently finishing his last fraud trial. We're hoping another one doesn't come his way for a while.
* One of my best friends from college just moved up here only an hour away from us and easy to drive to see. Leslie- we need to compare calendars
*Our boys are healthy, keep us laughing all the time, and seem to be the best of friends with each other.
*I've reconnected with a good friend from high school,Jill, and now we have playdates w/ our kids every week- sometimes twice.
*Tad has job security w/ the FBI and we don't have to worry about that in this struggling economy.
* We are raising our boys in a Christian household and my boys know about Jesus
*My parents live close and help us out soooo often w/ the boys...Thank you!!!
* My husband puts his family first over everything and would do anything for all 3 of us. Thank you Tad!

Now the birthday and Christmas madness begins. At least some of the shopping is done.