So thankful

It's so easy to get caught up in what isn't the way I want it to go like this morning when childcare wouldn't let C stay because i took his benadryl out of the box it came in. Instead I should be thankful that he doesn't need the Benadryl, that he doesn't have dangerous allergies, that I could still go to my appointment, that my appointment went well... 

another reason that it's good to have Thanksgiving. God knew we need a time to remember to be thankful. Here's some  pics from Thanksgiving:

We attended a library where Lumbee tribe members taught and danced. It was crowded but very interesting. I don't know that I'd ever heard their theory on the Lost Colony- that the colonists didn't die but joined the Lumbee people.

We enjoyed a nice hike to the lake behind our house.  Unfortunately we are not going to walk there again until after hunting season since a couple from our church told us people are hunting back there now.

We attended another library program where the kids heard Thanksgiving stories and made a Mayflower in a bottle.

One of the kids' favorite places to go- Smith Lake with friends. Right before Thanksgiving the kid had a great time building lots of forts.

K and T got to go with friends to a work day at Rick's Place. 

I can't find my pic of KG's new Bible. KG and I went to go get her big girl Bible since she finished her 100 Easy Lessons. She's doing terrific reading the Bible with Daddy every morning!

My parents drove up Tuesday and went with us to gymastics/ dancing on post. Then Wednesday morning I took the boys to their first dentist appointment back in Fayetteville.

Our new dentist- Fire house Dentistry- we all love it!I'm so glad  a friend recommended here!

We spent the rest of Wednesday cooking and playing games. My biggest worry was the turkey which James has always done but it turned out ok in the Big Easy!

Thursday morning Grandma, Pops Leon, and Uncle Brian came down. We had lots of food: turkey, sweet potato casserole, dressing, gravy, green beans, and lots of dessert. We did miss James and the greens he always cooks. The kids made pecan and pumpkin pies and Grandma brought angel food cake and egg custard.

After lots of eating, the kids went outside to run off some energy. Then we played lots of games...

or napped. I didn't add the photos of the nappers!

On Friday, the kids opened first Christmas presents- see their nice Christmas clothes! We went down to the Charles Dickens festival downtown Fayetteville. We took pictures with Father Christmas. I think the kids' favorite spot was Fascinate-U for warmth and playing!

We had lots of outdoor fun, basketball, baseball, frisbee, ...

And got to celebrate "Big Girl" turning Two again! A very nice Thanksgiving! So much to be thankful for!

Happy Thanksgiving/ Merry Christmas!

We were really excited to start our Christmas celebration Thanksgiving weekend for the 3rd year in a row. It's been really nice to make our Christmas last longer! Grandma, Pops Leon, and Uncle Brian came up for Thanksgiving and we celebrated Thanksgiving on Thursday and Christmas on Friday. We'd been reading Thanksgiving books for a week or so. The kids really know the Pilgrim story well now and we're starting to remember the history of Thanksgiving more. But the big thing we wanted to sink in was being thankful. We definitely have lots to be thankful for- including yummy food! Grandma brought her sweet potato casserole, apple pie, pecan pie. We made LOTS of greens. James Big Easy'd a turkey and smoke a turkey breast- so good. The boys each made a dairy free pie- James said K's pie crust looked better than mine. KG made cranberry sauce.

We're so proud of Brian's weight loss- he's lost a lot over the last few months. I'm so glad that he's making such great changes. You can tell he feels so much better and he did so much more with us! We went on several walks- including a walk to this park a mile away from our house. 

Brian even see-sawed with KG.

 Brian has given each of the kids a Build a Bear for their first year. Baby C got hers Thanksgiving weekend. Such a special gift for each of the kids! Quite a collection here! Baby C's even had a west point cheerleader outfit!

 We all enjoyed giving and receiving gifts.

 Grandma gave the kids such cute clothes!

We really enjoyed our visit! James and I thought we'd go to Lowe's to get a Christmas tree but the kids were so sad to not go to a Christmas tree farm that Saturday morning we went back to Davidson Christmas tree farm. And we were both glad we did. I love traditions and it was really nice. Beautiful day out. Baby C's first time at the tree farm. Nice Christmas music in the car. That night we watched "Why do they call it Christmas?" did some eggnog drinking and decorated the tree. Nice day!

 James even got a little workout in :)

Thanksgiving

We're sitting here watching Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving- well the kids are watching it while James and I watch the kids. Hillarious to hear them cracking up! OK- that was almost 2 weeks ago but we've had a blur of excitement celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas with my parents this past week. Here's some pics:

popcorn on the cob

Family Time about Thanksgiving

Fun turkey snack-  but where are all the pics of our turkey pancakes?

Our wonderful Thanksgiving book and our new Thanksgiving tablecloth

Papa and kids enjoying beautiful weather outside

James during our 15th anniversary celebration at Ravens Game

The good weather was a great time to put everyone to work- 35+ bags of leaves

We went Friday morning to a tree farm and decorated our tree Friday night

Christmas books are great!

James smoked 1 turkey breast & 1 chicken and deepfried 1 turkey and 2 chickens- next year- we're buying more turkey! 

Nana helped Kayleigh decorate our nutter butter snowmen

Monday we went to Mount Vernon- the kids loved seeing Alladin the camel

watching (and smelling) the chocolate making demo was fun

KG in Martha Washington's wedding dress

Papa bought the kids old fashioned chocolate bars- best hot chocolate every! 

"Hot Hot Hot Hot Chocolate. Yeah we got it!"