Thanksgiving 2011

Well, um, since it's December 27th I thought I'd get around to my Thanksgiving post.  If you're staying up on the pictures then you've probably already seen all there is to see but I'll try and add a little more story to them.  Would that be a good idea?  I thought so.

My kids (and Eric and I) are very lucky to have such active grandparents and GREAT grandparents.  They fly for hours to come visit and once they get here they are constantly in motion playing with the kids.  Kayla was super excited about her petiskirt still so she was showing Nana and Granny Carole how pretty it was.

Grandad loves his sweets but doesn't eat them very often so they are a real treat.  But I think this is a real treat - Kayla and her Great Granddad sharing a piece of cake.  So sweet.

Thanksgiving morning

She loves having "pretty lips" (chapstick or lip gloss) - and who am I to argue with such a cute face?

Tyler getting in on the football action...sort of... he really just likes to play around on the TV stand.

Going for a walk/ride with everyone while mom and dad relax inside.  :-)  Grandad and Carole have always enjoyed walking and taking the kids for a walk - I love that my kids can participate in their exercise of choice.

We watched pieces of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and they were back from their walk just in time to see Santa.  She was excited to see him but also distracted by her toys.  As usual.  :-)

Tyler has decided he really likes popcorn so while we're waiting on dinner he and Dad share a bowl.

 Mom, as usual, was very involved in the cooking/baking.  I'd start something but never had to finish anything.  Not pushy or anything - I was just too scatterbrained to pull it all together and she was being helpful.... a mother.

Our dinner!  Carole made sweet potato casserole which was delicious!  Mom and I made homemade stuffing.  We had the turkey smoked at a local BBQ joint.  Not pictured was a, also homemade, pumpkin bread pudding.  It was all delicious.  And I was so glad it was a mix of homemade and semi-homemade.  :-)

Our dinner table.  Grandpa Kris, Granny Carole, Grandad, Tyler, Dad, Nana, Mom, and Kayla.

After dinner Nana, Grandad, and Granny played Sesame Street Bingo with Kayla.

On the way out the door for the evening the Great Grandparents grabbed the kids and we snapped this cute pic.  Tyler thought it was hilarious apparently.  Such a cute picture!

Grandad and Nana relaxing on the couch for a minute the day after Thanksgiving.  So much going on during their visit that they barely had time to visit.

Trying to get a group picture using self timer.  I set it, grabbed Tyler and flung us on the couch - we all look a little surprised.  :-)

Then Eric came downstairs and took a real picture.  Four generations!  We are so lucky!

Little art project for Thanksgiving - a day late.  :-)  Making a tree using wine corks as stamps.

All in all - we had a great visit with the Great Grandparents and Grandparents.  I'm so glad that even though we are out here on the coast that people make it possible to still spend holidays with family.  Kayla really enjoys spending time with all of her relatives and showing off her talents, abilities, and abilities.  And I love seeing them spend time together (well, and sharing the holiday with them myself).  Thank you to the Great Grandparents and Grandparents for taking a full day to travel out here - I hope it was worth it for you!