Thanksgiving 2013

We have so much to be grateful for this year! It was truly the best thanksgiving we've had in a while, because we had lots of family with us. Susan even got to share in part of the meal before going to work! Norman had the night off, and John's cousin Teresa & Tim brought their sons Shane & Dillon too!
  They were so generous to come over with soooo much food---I really appreciate how much thought and time, money etc were put into planning for all the food and transport of it to our house. We made a few dishes too. Everything was delicious. So glad my mom got to come over after her work shift at 8pm and have some of the food, meet Tim and Teresa and spend time with the kids. I was reminded of a few slideshows I made on discs a few years ago, so I put them on--my mom was very appreciative to get to see her old childhood pics and my dads, and their pics together. I treasure those memories and photographs that I get to share with my kids. They are the one thing you can never replace once lost, no matter how much power or money you have. :)
   Here are some pictures of our Thanksgiving celebration:

 Norman making red mashed potatoes---he volunteered to make them, because he didn't want me to screw them up lol. He did a good job!

 The Johnsons :)

 Teresa prepping Sangria.

 Dillon helping out

 Purple drank?

 This is the 24 lb bird they brought!!

 Olivia & Teresa with her godchild Frankie--wearing his "First Thanksgiving" bib :)

 Funny picture to me--Dillon & Shane with the 24 lb baby, and TNT with a 9 lb baby. 

 These fruit cups wanted to hold hands all of a sudden. Then we prayed---Lucas led us with an enthusiastic "Our Father" :) My sweet boy.

 Susan got a plate of food in before leaving for work :(

 Talking about walmart lol.

 Uncle Norman staring contest?

 Change, feed, burp, pump, repeat.

 What a fun cousin- they bought Chutes & Ladders for the kids--Lucas LOVES it. In fact he beat daddy twice tonight :)

 Tim and his boys checking out their phones.

 Then we took a stroll down to the park to burn off some calories.

 The boys all played soccer. Lucas was frustrated that he had to wait his turn, but he actually does well while running and kicking the ball.

 The boys, and a tom-boy.

 Then we had a little music when we got back. It was really fun playing with Norman. It has been a while since I played and sang...I hope to get back into playing live next year when things settle down a bit.

 Olivia trying on Teresa's boots--she REALLY wants "boots like teresa has" for Xmas :)

 My favorite picture--so sweet.

 An apple pie and pumpkin pie TNT's parish group made (very good!) and Aunt Pauline's pumpkin bread recipe (so good and moist!)

 The men when to have their gentlemanly time on the balcony with cigars. Norman got a little nauseous but he's okay now lol. 

 My mom came by after work and had a plate of food and held Frankie :)

 The guys played Acquire--John's favorite strategy game we learned from Jim & Shawna our game night buddies. Norman said it's also his favorite...and subsequently won the game :) I think this picture is cute because L & O are rolling dice on their kid table.

It was a great day. I didn't even have to use my AK. :P

God bless our family!