Thanksgiving 2012

I'm getting a little behind again on the old blog! I just realized that my last real post was about Halloween, which was almost a month ago!

We're busy getting into the Christmas spirit around here! And if it didn't feel like Christmastime yet, it will after this weekend! We have a weekend packed with Christmas goodness, and I can't even wait! More to come on all of that later.

I thought I'd take some time to play catch up on some November happenings. On November 16th, my mom and dad closed on their lake house at Table Rock. We are so excited about the fun ahead, and also very excited for them. It's been a while since I've seen them excited about something, so it makes me happy. It's on a quiet arm of the lake that we love so much, and I am so excited for my kids to get to grow up down there. The home itself is beautiful, too. So, on Saturday we met them down there to help get some things cleaned up and celebrate Thanksgiving. This was the first of many Thanksgivings at the lake! We did this one on paper plates, with no fridge, on an old folding table and chairs borrowed from the resort next door, but it was fun! I'm sure next year will be a little more traditional!

Heath spent most of the day weed eating. He got about half way done and wants to go back to finish.

Madelyn helped aunt Julie vacuum.

Brody brought his tool belt down so he could "help". Heath and Billy got him set up with some wood and nails.

And here are the Thanksgiving appetizers! Ha! I'm sure that it will look more appetizing next year!

We took a break to go down and sit on the dock.

Dad carving the turkey!

Mom getting everything ready for dinner!

The spread! I made the mashed potatoes and broccoli casserole ahead of time and Julie made some sweet potatoes.

Here's our centerpiece! And check out THE VIEW! Heaven on earth.

Grandma taught Brody and Madelyn about "5 little blackbirds"

And this was our best attempt at a self-timer group pic.

After dinner we cleaned up and headed back to the resort next door (where we stayed) to watch the K-State game. Unfortunately, we lost. But Notre Dame took our place at #1, so that lightened the disappointment a little bit.

We'll be back at the lake in January. My dad is renting a  U-Haul to get a few bedroom sets, a TV, a couch, and some other stuff down there so that we can start staying there. I can't wait!

On Thanksgiving Day, we stayed in our pajamas as long as we could! We woke up, had donuts for breakfast, looked at the ads and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade while the kids made a mess of the family room. Then we went to Heath's aunt and uncle's for dinner around noon. The food was good, as always, and we left ready for a nap around 3:00!

Heath almost didn't get his pink cloud...it was forgotten during the meal, so he had it for dessert!

Later that night, Heath and the kids went back to eat leftovers and Julie and I headed to Walmart at 8:00 for Black Friday shopping. I'm not a big fan of the stores opening on Thanksgiving night, and if it weren't for the crazy good deal I got on Brody's present, I would not have gone out...

I was the ONLY person waiting for one of these...I guess nobody else's kid asked for a telescope :)

Then, when I got home, I set the alarm for Heath to get up at...

I can't share where he went or what he got there because I don't want to spoil surprises!

We hope all of our friends and family had a blessed Thanksgiving!