Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving was fabulous, of course. We were soo fortunate to be able to spend time with family, which is one of our favorite things.

We usually stay with my parents or my husband's parents, but things worked out that this time we stayed with two of S's brothers (on different nights). My girls loved being able to play with their cousins. Very fun times!Here's the girls with two of their cousins. This night B and M taught us two new games, Buzz Word and No Peekie. The girls were robbed. We should have won!

Thanksgiving was at my parents house. Dinner was, of course, scrumptious. This is the kid's tableand the adult table. My two sisters and their families and my sister's in-laws were there, as well as my family. Crazy, but good times.That night the kids got to open a present from grandma and grandpa (pajamas to save for Christmas). Then we had to say good-bye to grandma and grandpa for a little while. They left early the next morning for Utah and the Missionary Training Center. They will be there a week and then it's off to the Philippines. They will love it and be wonderful missionaries. And they'll be home before we know it. (But I'm still a little sad).

Friday I got up at 4:46 to run to Walmart for a few specific items. Granted, I wasn't there right at 5 am when it opened, but when I did get there (at 5:10) the parking lot was JAMMED full. I kid you not--It was the craziest thing. And people in the store were a little crazy themselves. Funny! Not that I'm bitter, but I was only able to get ONE of the items on my list and it was a $5 set of cars for my sister. After checking out the line I decided she was going to sacrifice for the greater good and I left the store empty handed. I already had the two items I went there for, but it was $20 cheaper (and I had bought two). That was worth getting up early for. But not to get them made me grumpy (or the lack of sleep). However, fear not--I fared much better at Target and Fred Meyer. (The Target line was a little crazy, as well, but moved at a good pace).

Friday afternoon we went bowling with another set of cousins. T and A had never been bowling before and loved it. I haven't been bowling for a while--the new lanes have the bumpers automatically come up when it was T or A's turn. Fancy! Fancy! S, T and her cousins.I don't know why, but both T and A would have their legs spread apart and usually had both hands in the air. It was pretty funny to watch.I had a hard time adjusting the camera for the lighting at the bowling alley--The pictures mostly turned out dark.

There was also a birthday party

And an early visit from Santa (Grandpa R)It was really nice, since we (and another set of cousins) won't be back for Christmas this year.
Here's all the cousins that were home
and our girls. Ms. M wasn't the least bit afraid of Santa. Both T and A were terrified at that age. (of course, T was afraid of carpet samples at Home Depot, pumpkins, and the list goes on and on). It was a very enjoyable, busy trip. I'm glad we have Christmas coming up. This is one of my favorite times of the year and it's nice to have so much to distract me. It's hard to be sad with so much going on. Good luck Mom and Dad! We love you!