Thanksgiving Day 2008

On Thanksgiving Day 2008 we awoke around our usual early time, I made french toast for breakfast, and then we started working on getting ready to head to Daddy's for Thanksgiving Lunch. While John when up to take his shower, I stayed downstairs with the kids and worked on cleaning up the kitchen and then cooking the corn and the butter beans while the kids played. Once they were started John returned from getting ready and I headed up to get ready also. After I showered and was dressed, we gave the kids an early snack and then put on their outfits. Once everyone was dressed and everything was loaded int he car, we headed outside for a quick picture and then loaded up in the van and truck. When we arrived, we unloaded and made our way in to visit with Daddy, Katrina, Christian, and Nis. Slowly the rest of the family filtered in. John and the kids played outside while us girls and Daddy worked on the final touches for the meal. At around 11:45 we called all the kids in and served their plates. This was the first year we tried letting them eat first and in the dining room so they had the experience also. It was very cute to see all the little kids sitting at the big table. Once they were done, we cleaned up from them and started with round two of the adults eating. Everything was very good and when I was

finished I traded off with John to stay in the living room with the kids. The kids were having a grand time playing with toys, including twister. After staying in a little while, we all filtered back outside to play while the other adults finished eating. While we were outside we got a few cute pictures on the stairs and then the kids ran around for a while. It was such a nice day to play outside. After things were cleaned up enough on the inside, we called the kids in and sang Happy Birthday to Jennifer. Since the little ones were really tired, John took them home and I stayed with Emily. After the cake and cards, Jennifer then played early Santa to all of us. There were various holiday related items that she wanted us to have during the season, so she let us open them then. I was most excited about my reindeer antlers and nose for my car.

After we opened gifts, we finished cleaning up some more until it was time for me to take Emily home.