HOME WITH A THANKFUL HEART

We arrived home safely a few hours ago and it's so nice to be home again. What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had!

Can I tell you a little secret though....I wasn't looking forward to Thanksgiving this year. I know ... that sounds terrible. Sad, but true. It just seemed to sneak up on me this year. It didn't feel like it was time for Thanksgiving. And then there were a few "issues" of 'who, what, when and where'...you know...when you have a large family, those things just seem to happen. But, when all is said and done, Thanksgiving is a wonderful time for a family to be together. And somehow, things always work out for the best. We spent most of the morning and afternoon at my sister's house (Karen), and then went to our daughter's house (Kim) for dinner.

Here's just a few photos. (I took over 100!)

Mom with her "kids": Theresa, Kim, Mom, Pete, Karen, Me

George with Bree

Mom with her 3 sisters: Aunt Sherry, Mom, Aunt Barbara, and Aunt Grace

Uncle Jesse and Uncle Fred

My brother Pete and my sister Theresa. I never say "step" brother and sister. They may not be mine by blood, but they are mine by "heart". I love them so much! Their Dad was the best...I still miss him.
Bree and Jay - This was Jay's first time to meet the whole family. They all loved him, of course!
Angie (Pete's daughter), Pete, Me, Kim, and Theresa (I think Karen was in the kitchen)
Mom with all her girls - Kim, Theresa, Mom, Me, Karen


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I told the kids months ago that all George and I really want for Christmas this year is black and white photos of all the kids and grandkids, so I can hang them in our long hallway. Last night the kids spilled the beans that they were doing a photo shoot this morning and wondered if George and I wanted to be included in the shots or just have the kids. We weren't really prepared for photos, clothes-wise, but we went. We all met at 9AM and boy was it was chilly! Our daughter-in-law Jan took the photos with the help of a tripod and Jay and Eric helped her in getting everyone in place. Jan is an incredible photographer, so we were in good hands. George and I only stayed for the big family shot and then we left so the other photos will be a surprise at our family Christmas party. I'm so excited. Can't wait to see them!

While they finished, George and I went back to the hotel to check out and pick up Miss Daisy. When the kids called to say they were through, we all went to lunch together at a local barbecue restaurant. All 19 of us! That's George and I, our 4 children, 3 spouses, Bree's boyfriend Jay, and all 9 grandchildren. Amazing, loud, fun!

(click on photos to enlarge)

Left to right around the table: Zac, Dalton, Kristin, Elizabeth, Angela, Eric, Kim, Jan, Karrigan, George, Mike, Jay, Bree, George, Me, Sydney Anne, Kaley Grace, Carson, Landon...whew!

George gets the l-o-n-g bill....not bad actually.

As you can see...I have so much to be thankful for! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!