Thanksgiving 2013

I have so much to be Thankful this year.  Randy and our incredible children top my list.  This picture just makes me swell up with pride.  This is my family.  How lucky am I?  The fact we all are in good health physically and mentally is also something I'm very thankful for.  My life revolves around these 4 boys and I am grateful every day for them.  I have a very beautiful life.  The days leading up to Thanksgiving and the days following Thanksgiving were full of family and craziness.

Rusty, Collette and Owen came to town almost a week before Thanksgiving.  Randy and I had a great dining experience with them at one of our favorite restaurants in Salt Lake, Pallet.  We had tickets to see John Legend later that night and couldn't convince them to join us.  I'm not sure they could have found tickets even if they wanted to go.  It was a sold out event and with good reason.  He is an incredible talent and never disappoints. 

Randy was feeling it!  Definitely a night to remember.

The following day, Hank and Max both had basketball games and with so much family around for the holiday, they had quite the cheering section.  

My kids love putting on a show for their fans.  It's so incredible to have so much support.  Another thing I am very thankful for.

Randy and Rusty's duck hunting adventure may be the most random event of Thanksgiving.  I'm so glad they had a chance to have some brotherly bonding time.  They don't get enough of that.

The last day of school for the kids before the break always includes the annual Snow Springs Turkey Trot.  Hank, unfortunately wasn't feeling well enough to run this year but Max did an awesome job.  I love watching my kids run!  May be I'll have a future cross country star one day.  

After the race, I got to help in Max's class with their Thanksgiving Feast. 

Not surprising..I had hardly any takers to be pilgrims.  Everyone wanted to be Indians.  

Max found a seat right next to the other Max in his class and enjoyed every last bite of his feast.  He's such a cute little Indian!

Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without pie night at Granny Griffin's the day before.  She never ceases to amaze me with her crazy shenanigans.  This woman is one in a million.

She had the boys act out a little skit.  Hank was a lawn mower Grandpa Griff was trying to start. 

The Griffin's were Indians and the Birds were Pilgrims in this skit.

I'm always entertained and amazed at her house.  She somehow fit what seemed like 40 people in her little house, entertained us all for hours, and home-made every single pie served that night.  

Our Thanksgiving feast was hosted by Jeri this year.  Scott made this little kid table right before we arrived and Sam was totally digging it!

Those teeth!!

Such a little punk!

Just as we sat down, I tested Hank's blood sugar as I always do before we eat.  506 was not the number I was hoping to see minutes before he was planning on inhaling a mound of carb laden foods.  I think diabetes needs to take a break on holidays.  That brings me to another thing I'm very thankful for...insulin!  It saves my boys life on a daily basis.  After my mini crisis management, we enjoyed a delicious meal.  I feel like everyone really stepped up their game this year.  I loved visiting with everyone for hours.  Our kids were so well behaved and I really had a pleasant afternoon.

Grandma Jeri somehow managed to find time in the middle of all her food preparation, clean up and hosting to read a few stories to Lennon and Sam.  I am so thankful to have Jeri in my life and so thankful she is cancer free.  She is such an incredible woman and such an incredible grandma to my kids.

No one had a burning desire to hit the Black Friday madness so we opted for a trip to Hang Time instead.  The kids had a blast.  I love watching Sam, Owen, and Lennon play together.  

I had to capture a few images of the "binkey brigade".

It was so nice to spend some quality time with Owen.  He is such a sweet, polite, and funny kid.  He really loves Max.  They spent hours playing upstairs with the toys.  There were many late nights spent at our house.  Lots of deep conversation, lots of laughter, and lots of bonding took place over the course of the week.  We loved having Rick and Anna stay at our house.  Somehow in the midst of all the chaos I missed snapping a picture of the two of them.  By the end of the week, taking pictures was the last thing on my mind.  My bed was the first thing on my mind and still is days later!  Ahhh, my bed...I am most definitely thankful for that!