A Happy Thanksgiving

It was a wonderful weekend. Jason was off work from about mid-day on Wednesday until this morning. It was so nice to have him home. Tax season is just around the corner and I am cherishing these last few weeks before he is busy working most weekends and evenings.

On Thursday we had nowhere to be until supper time so we took advantage of the time and decorated for Christmas. We aren't finished yet but the tree is done and of course that's the biggie! We are using an artificial tree for the second year and Jason is really wanting real next year. He loves to cut his own. I loved going through the ornament box and seeing the girls' little handprint ornaments and nativities they have made. Of course we had the Christmas music going while we decorated. Betsie was convinced that the tree was hot and she was afraid to touch it at first...unfortunately she has gotten wiser in the last few days. So far, so good though.

Mary Evelyn hanging the stockings

The tree all finished

That evening we headed over to Jason's brother's house. He and his wife Charity fixed a delicious meal for us and all I had to take was a salad. My children were incredibly picky, which drove me nuts, but they were still pretty sweet and had a great time!

Jason and his mom



My father-in-law, Marc


Betsie with Uncle Paul


Rachel, Aunt Charity, and Betsie



After we got the kids in bed that night I had some work to do. My mom was still in charge of turkey and dressing, but I needed to get some deviled eggs and sweet potatoes together. So I worked on that Thursday night and Friday morning. I also made a vegetable dish and some pumpkin dip to be served with gingersnaps. We got to Mom and Dad's house by 11:30 and stayed all day.



I really enjoyed my time with my family. The food was great and we laughed so hard I thought my sister would go into labor. (Her baby wll be born in a week!) The kids had a great time playing with their dolls and a little backyard football. There was of course some football on the TV as well. It was really nice. Plus Betsie managed a 2 hour nap even with nearly twenty people in the house!

Betsie says yummy!


Uncle Paul gave Mary Evelyn that hat the night before and she wore it all weekend...she says it's her farming and fishing hat!



We even had a little culture. I bet you all didn't know what an accomplished violinist Jason was! (Cause he's NOT!) He was attempting "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" on my niece's violin but it was a bunch of screeches in reality. LOL! My Uncle John looks like he's listening to something really classical but don't be fooled. My niece Alyssa however played for us and sang us a few lovely songs!
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On Saturday I did a little shopping and went to lunch with my sister-in-law Liz and my Aunt Mary. Liz says it's a new tradition. We'll see! It was nice to get out with them, so maybe! But for now we are back to work and school for a few weeks.
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I hope you all had a great weekend as well!
Jennifer