A Season of Thanks

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is the fact that it's always at our house. We never have to pack up the car and drive to someone else's house. Plus, we usually have control over what goes on the menu. This year was no different. The kitchen was crazy, croweded, and smelled AMAZING!

This is a glimpse of what our laundry room looked like. It was lined with rising rolls. Both the washer, dryer, and the counter space were lined with pans and cookie sheets.

And this is what the rools looked like once they were out of the oven. We all agreed that they were the best ones yet.

While everybody else was preparing the Thanksgiving "Lunch", I was put in charge of watching the kids while they played at the park. It was really fun for all of the cousins to get together. Especially those who were visiting from Oregon whom we rarely see.

They had a blast. It's times like these that make a person glad they live right next to a big park. They rode/ran down the hill from the wall to the edge of the basketball court, depending on whether or not they had wheels. From left to right the cousins are Cole (5), Troy (3), Mikayla (8), Trey (8), Travis (10).

Troy was the little turtle from Snow White tagging along behind the others.

This year we had a new cousin join the family: Thomas! He's my aunt Tammy's new step-son and he fits in great! The boys love him and they get along great. He had a lot of fun at the park as well with all the kids.

There was lots to do in the semi-wet sand from all of the rains the day before.

Trey, being Trey, decided to be funny and throw his shoe on top of the ramada above the playground. Yep, that's what boys do when they get too wound up. I'm not sure if we ever got it down.

Back at the house everybody was busy getting ready. Here in this picture is my cousin Ashlee making our famous Grenadine Punch. It's fantastic!

Poor baby Natalee didn't feel so well and wasn't very happy.

But she calmed down... just look at that face!

But no matter how little or how much food you have...

Or how many lightsabers are in the backyard...

Even if it's a little rainy...

Without exceptions...

Human and canine alike...

It's all about family! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!