Celebrating Megan

This year, Megan's birthday fell in the middle of a nasty stomach virus going around. I had been sick the weekend before, felt a tiny bit better when her birthday rolled around on Tuesday, then on the day of her party, Nicholas got sick. While Todd tended the sick, I called all Megan's friends to tell them the party was canceled. She was heartbroken. It was to be her first party with friends and she was really looking forward to it.

Luckily, we were able to reschedule! Not all the girls were able to come. Some still had the darn stomach virus going around in their house, some were out of town (tis the season!) but the ones who were able to come had fun!

I had some beads set out so the girls could make some jewelry and let me tell you, those girls liked their bling!

Crafty little girls!

 Do you see Nicholas peeking in from the kitchen? That little flirt! He was very busy showing the girls the spider he caught and other such boy-stuff ;)

Megan and her new bracelet and necklace:

 Lyza and her new bracelet and necklace:

 Greer and her new bracelet and necklace:

We're all in trouble with these cuties ;)

 Opening presents:

   I love Lyza helping her in this picture. She couldn't wait for Megan to see what she got her!

 Megan and Greer with their heads together. I can't remember what they were looking at or talking about but the picture is so sweet!

 The party girls:

It was so much fun!

We Are Very Thankful!

We had another Thanksgiving celebration Sunday! We must be the most thankful people ever! (actually, we do have so very much to be thankful for ;))

We headed to my mom's Sunday to have a nice Thanksgiving lunch with her. And guess what? More presents for Megan! I think we're all done with her birthday now ;) (although I still need to blog her birthday party!)

 Oh that boy! You should have seen him flirting at Megan's party ;)

 The girls:

 Meemaw Diana and some of her grandkids:

We had such a busy weekend, but I'm very thankful for all our family :) I wouldn't spend Thanksgiving any other way than with all the people in our lives that we have to be thankful for.

More Thanksgiving!

Saturday, we celebrated Thanksgiving with Todd's family. It was so nice to see everyone! It seems like it's been forever!

As soon as we got there, Russ and Judy had a little something for the birthday girl. Can you believe she's still getting presents?? That's what happens when your brother gets sick therefore canceling your birthday party. You get lots of little parties! She's a lucky little girl ;)

 Dinner was yummy :) Afterward, most of us gathered around the table to play some Uno. Uno is one of our favorite family games. Great for all ages!

 My mother-in-law was trying to back out of my picture. That's just not going to happen! When I ordered her back in, she pretended to sleep on the table. Maybe I've figured out why Todd can be so obstinate, hmmm?? She's a hoot! He probably inherited that trait as well ;)

These cousins were a bit competitive ;) Kristen's trying to figure out which of her "attack" cards to throw Chris's way ;)

 Pretty, little Uno player:

 While we were laughing it up in the dining room, these guys were getting Megan's new doll out of it's wrapper. These days it takes multiple people and some pretty serious tools to open toys!

 More competition ;)

 Cute!

 Look at that concentration! If only he worked that patiently on his math!

 We did crafts too! Megan and Barb hard at work:

 Nicholas and Judy:

 Cute! The ornaments and the girls ;)

 Uncle Scott helping Megan with her doll ;)

 Chilling on the couch:

 We managed to get a few family pictures. Russ and Judy with some their grandkids. (I don't know why I didn't get one with Chris and Devon before they left)

 Todd's brother Scott, his wife Barb and their family, Chris and Devon.

 Watching the Despicable Me clip. Our kids LOVE that movie!

It was a very fun afternoon! We are so blessed with lots of family to share in these holidays with.

Go Bucks!

I know I'm a bit late in posting this, but Go Bucks!

The Excitment of the Day

In both Todd's family and mine, our kids are the youngest by far. There aren't any cousins to play with. So what is there to DO when we go to Kentucky?? (besides being the center of attention ;))

We go see the cows! The kids think they are so funny. They love walking out there!

Megan was the first to want to go outside. There was a very short lull in the semi-constant downpour so my dad happily took her out for a walk :) 

 More cow-watchers joined us ;)

 Brandon got such a kick out of mooing at the cows. They mooed back!

For whatever reason, the cows took off running. I think my uncle called them. He was at the bottom of the hill compared to where we were. Cows don't run unless there's a reason (like food!) but still it cracked us all up when Kristen said, "Mom, take a picture! I didn't know cows could run!" City girl to the core ;)

Megan wanted to bring one home. She tried to convince my dad that we have room in our backyard for one. I've posted before about her love of all animals, but I don't think even she would want to clean up after a cow ;) It's not pretty, let me tell you!

Thankful

Every Thanksgiving, we travel to Kentucky and meet up with my dad's side of the family. Even though it's stressful traveling on Thanksgiving, it's a tradition we look forward to each year. Especially the kids. They literally count the days! It's so good to see them all and catch up on what's been going on with them.

There's also plenty of food. And desert ;) This year, my pumpkin bread was gluten-free. It was delicious! I made two loaves and not one bite was left. Now I have to make more ;)

Before we all leave, I make everyone pose for pictures! I've loved looking back on these and noticing how our family has changed over the years and how the kids have grown. My dad groans whenever I whip out my camera, but I noticed this year he didn't. I think he gets it now. These are precious memories. PRECIOUS!

Our family with Nanny (my grandmother).

All the great-grandkids, Nanny, Aunt Emily, and my dad.

 My dad with his mother and sister:

 My dad, Nanny, and my nephews Bud and J.D.:

 Nanny, Aunt Emily, Sammy (Emily's son) and his daughter (my second cousin??) Emily:

 Getting some Nanny-snuggles ;)

 Kristen and my dad, otherwise known as Papaw ;)

 We had a new-comer this year:

 Jon joined us for our yearly tradition :)

Todd was entertaining the troops while I was snapping all these. You can see he's the life of the party!

 I wish I remembered what in the world Kristen was talking about. Crazy girl!

 Todd has some game on his phone and these kids love it! Even the big ones!

Just the great-grandkids with Nanny:

 Me and my girl right before she left:

 

 Excuse the crazy hair. It rained all stinkin' day. I tend to get very....fluffy ;)

Speaking of rain, this was the drive home:

Can you believe that fog?? In the last picture, there are smoke stacks from a factory. They look like they're floating! It made the drive home very long. And noisy. And stressful. I got home with a splitting head-ache. But it was worth it. And I'm thankful.

It is good to give thanks to the Lord

And to sing praises to Your name, O Most High;

To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning

And your faithfulness at night.

Psalm 92:1-2