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

A Thanksgiving Celebration

Every year (almost) we travel to my aunt's house in Kentucky for Thanksgiving. It's usually the only day we spend with my extended relatives on my dad's side so we really look forward to seeing everyone and catching up.

Here's our day in pictures:

Heading to Kentucky.
Megan wanted to hold on as we crossed the bridge ;)
On the farm:
Megan, Uncle Ed, and Papaw going for a walk to see the cows.
We got a kick out of Heidi wanting to go for a ride in the Mule.
Hanging out outside:
Nicholas fell asleep.
Then he snuggled Kristen and she fell asleep too!
Nana is in the purple and Megan is snuggling Uncle Ed's mother. I can't remember the name of the other lady but I think she's Ed's sister.
The Great-grandkids: our kids plus my nephew, J.D. and my cousin's daughter, Emily:
The six of us plus my dad and Nana:
Nana, Dad, and Aunt Emily:
We had a wonderful day visiting and eating (too much, of course ;)) and we look forward to seeing everyone again soon!

Thanksgiving isn't over for us, though! We still have two more wonderful dinners to share with family! Although it makes for a busy weekend for us, we feel so thankful and blessed to have so many people to share this holiday with that we wouldn't have it any other way! :)