Thanksgiving Thankfulness

After a 3-day no school whirlwind, we headed up to FoCo to spend Thanksgiving with my family. It was so nice to have 3 complete days there, just enjoying time together. I also have to say, it was the first extended stay where I felt like I didn't have to chase the kids around every minute, as they have grown enough to handle themselves responsibly for small spaces in time. What an amazing feeling \o/! Enough small talk though, it is time for the PICSPAM :)...


All around the kitchen table, the kiddos sat and giggled ate. Nearly one year ago was the first time we got all these kids around the table in chairs...eating, or doing something that closely resembles eating lol :). So neat to see how much these four have grown in such a short period of time. Right now, they are...5, 4, 4, and 2.














Poppa broke out his Angry Birds, and D broke out his giggles ♥.


The facial expressions say it all :D.













D was super excited to have Gulliver the Bear along for the trip. Gulliver is from his school, and gets to travel around with the kids as they take trips. We completed a little journal of Gulli's activities in FoCo and once the pictures are included, we turn it back in for show-and-tell time.














Snuggles with Ansy ♥














On Thanksgiving morning, after feeding the monkeys kids, we got them settled in for a long winter's nap Cars 2 showing, while...














...we four headed out for our own unofficial FoCo turkey trot. We decided to forgo the expense and semi-controlled chaos, and crank out a few miles around Dad and Ann's house. It was a perfect morning and so quiet jogging around the open fields/farms near their house. Did I mention I had to borrow my Dad's running shoes, since mine were the casualty for this trip? LOLOL! If you know me, you know why that is so funny :).














Look closely and you'll notice a faint dusting of spices around P's mouth and nose ♥. Guess who was constantly asking to smell spices :).














The girlz and their pistachios.














P helping Poppa and Ansy open their anniversary gift (a bit late).














Snuggles with Poppa ♥













P made it through the whole day without a nap and then crashed on Poppa's lap by 5:15 PM ♥.



















D got in some more Angry Birds giggles :).














Then it was high time for some zzzzzz's.














Morning found D helping Ansy in the kitchen. He absolutely LOVES to help cook!














P showing us her version of see food :).














Enjoying a lazy pajammy morning together.














Snuggles with Aunt K ♥



















S and P were really enjoying being together :). Lots of cuddling...so cute! Again, they are the oldest (5) and youngest (2) between Ben and me.



















More snuggle time! Pretty much they wanted to be in PJs all-day-long lol :).














K and E snuggles ♥














Gulli gets a ride from Sweetie Swede.














D journaling with Poppa.














Then it was time for an outdoor adventure at a local park.







































































Which included river-side adventures!














And tongues. Who could possibly forget the tongues with Miss P around ;).




























More S and P snuggles ♥














And spices with Ansy :)!



















Then it was time for G to make his famous guac and wings. YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY!!!!!! And yes, I did make him smile for these pics lol. He had a 'tough-guy' pose too :).














Ready, set, EAT!!!



















We hit the local bowling alley one morning when the weather was less than stellar for outdoor adventures.

P's turn!


D's turn! He did use the ramp, but he tried a few times without as well.


Double bowl with Ansy and Poppa!


Do a little dance!


Snuggles by the fire :).



















Awwwwwwww ♥














S helped Ansy make breakfast one morning too!














Thank you everyone, for making this such a wonderful time! I enjoyed celebrating my not telling 22nd b-day with you all and felt so special! We all enjoyed turkey time and some unscheduled, unhurried time with you all! And, not to be forgotten, the Mii-making that yielded a 'go bearded mommy' cheer from D :DDDDDDD!