Thanksgiving 2009

This year was definitely a different Thanksgiving. For as long as I can remember celebrating Thanksgiving, we always went to my Maw Maw and Paw Paw's house for dinner along with my extended family. I am the only child, so this was always a special time for me to see my 19 cousins. My cousin Candice and I would call each other to see what time we were going to Maw Maw's, so we would be sure to see each other. As we grew older, we would call each other to see what we were taking to eat. We lost my grandfather last December and then my grandmother this past June. I really miss celebrating this day at their house, but we all have grown up and now have our own little families too. My other grandmother was sick this year, so we missed seeing them. We went to my parents house to eat dinner and celebrate. I am so thankful I did have all four grandparents in my life for as long as I did and I still have two. Here are a few photos from our wonderful day! Hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

The table

Mimi and Ben
The sweater Ben is wearing was made by Nana.
It is so cute! There is an alligator on it.




Playing in Mimi and Papa's yard

My Mom and Dad

Jake and Mimi

Okay people, please tell me to put on some lipstick and maybe a little blush next time!

Ben and Jake riding in their Jeep. Ben is talking on the CB radio

Jake loves to drive!

Early visit with Santa!

This weekend we went to my cousin Candice's house to visit with Santa. He comes a little early every year to check in on little boys and girls. He even brings the good ones a gift. We ate some great food and visited with some of my cousins. It was so nice to see them since it doens't seem as though we get too much since my grandparents passed last year. I am the only child and it was always so nice at the holidays to see all my extended family. Thanksgiving will definitely be different this year and a little sad without Maw Maw and Paw Paw. My friend Gina took some pictures for us this weekend for our Christmas cards this year and for some other surprises, so I am not going to post those just yet. Stay tuned! and you will see them on your card this year too! It was very hard to get a good one with every one cooperating! It was crazy!!

Jake got a Bakugan set from Santa

Ben wants to know where his gift is

Santa with my cousin Russ's boys and my aunt Beverly

All of us with Santa

Mimi and Papa with the boys

Jake giving Santa a goodbye hug

I love this sweet picture of Ben giving Santa a hug

Thanksgiving Feast and performance

Last Thursday Jake's school had their Thanksgiving feast and performance. It was so cute! Lee forgot to get off for it, so Papa tagged along with Ben and I to watch the show and enjoy a feast! Jake and his class made their Indian costumes (yes, I wrote Indian) :) They sang three songs and sang one using their hands only. After the show, the kids came off the stage to meet their parents and eat with them. There was turkey, dressing, green beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, and lots of yummy desserts. I took a couple of videoes and posted one below. Jake is on the back row to the left. He is the one whose headband in almost over his eyes. Guess you don't need to see to sing! I am so thankful that I get to be home with my kids and able to see school performances like these.

Me and my little Indian

The kids made their costumes in their class

Papa and Ben enjoying the show

Jake's class

The Chattahooche Nature Center

Last weekend, it was beautiful outside. My parents called and asked if we wanted to go to the Nature Center. I have not been there in years. They have added more and it was really nice! There were several cages with different animals, nature trails, and a few exhibits inside. I took more pictures of animals, but they didn't turn out too good. Some of the boardwalk trails were closed due to all the rain and flooding we have had lately.

Jake before we headed out on the trail

Lee and Jake crossing the bridge

Mimi and Jake

This beaver was huge!

Papa, Ben, Jake and Lee

Papa and Ben having a rest

The Chattahooche River. It was really high!

Ben loved this fish exhibit.

You could push these buttons to make it light up.

We couldn't get him to leave it.

Ben looking at the possum

A turtle on a log

Papa showing Ben the snake

Making Spiders and trick or treating!

Halloween is my favorite holiday ever! It was a yucky, rainy day this year, so first off Jake and I made oreo spiders. I then also made Mummy hot dogs. They were so cute and delicious! Later in the day, we got dressed in our costumes and headed out in the drizzle to trick or treat. Jake loved getting candy this year and Ben understood it a little more this time around. I couldn't believe Ben kept his costume and hat on for as long as he did. He almost didn't want to take it off. My parents came over so we could go around with the boys trick or treating while they waited at our house for kids. My dad also carried Ben around to some houses. It got pretty cold, so we came back a little earlier, but they got tons of candy! No chocolate covered prunes this year!

Jake making his spiders

Jake with one of his spiders

spiders and mummy dogs

Ben eating his spider

Ben as a racecar driver. This was Jake's

Octomom

Buzz and Racecar Driver

Ben kissing one of Octomom's babies

Our front door

To get candy and beyond!

The whole family

Jake's loot

Ben's loot

Pumpkinhead Man made an appearance again this year