Thanksgiving has always been one of my very favorite holidays, and this year did not disappoint! We were able to enjoy lots of time with family, away from work and school. My kids had school on both Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. Chris also worked those days. Jeremy, Shawna, and Kaylee drove to Oklahoma on Monday, and Kaylee stayed with us at our house while Jeremy and Shawna stayed with Mom and Dad.
First thing Tuesday morning, Kaylee and I got up and took the kids to school. Then, we met Russ, Lisa, and Chloe Jo at the Will Rogers Memorial here in town so I could take family photos for them.
Chloe Jo was a beautiful little model!
The weather was great for taking photos, and I was happy with how they turned out . . . I hope my "clients" feel the same, lol!
Russ and Lisa
After getting back home, Kaylee did some studying (what?!?) and I completed some work that I was doing for the kids' school PTO. Before we knew it, it was time to pick up the little girls, have lunch, rest time, then get the big kids.
I had invited everyone to our house that evening for tacos. I won't say I was stressed before everyone got there, but I was busy trying to cook, prepare the house for feeding a crowd, and watch my kids. About 15 before everyone is scheduled to arrive, I walk into our backyard to find this:
We went on to have a great family evening, even though we were missing JT!
Thankfully, I had lots of help in the kitchen that morning!
Crazy pic! We don't have far to travel, lol!
One of the most special things to me about our family time is that we almost always have a devo before we part ways. We sing, pray, have a short lesson, and just spend time with God and each other. I didn't take a photo of the full group, but I did capture this one of Brooke sitting on Chloe's lap. It was unusual, but so very sweet!
The next morning (Wednesday), Russ, Lisa, and Chloe traveled to Arkansas to be with Russ's side of the family. The rest of us had a slow morning, then Mom, Dad, Jeremy, and Shawna came over to our house for an afternoon of games and visiting.
The Mexican Train crew - Brenson, Chris, Brianna, Jeremy, and Dad
The Uno crew - Brooke, Brecklyn, Kaylee, and Chelle
One thing I've recently learned about hosting a holiday meal is that the pressure is ON when it comes to the food. I don't consider myself to be a good cook, but I can follow a recipe as well as the next guy. However, coordinating a holiday meal is about a whole lot more than following a few recipes, and I was pretty nervous about pulling it off! Chris and I got up bright and early on Thanksgiving Day to put the turkey in the roaster and get several of the other dishes started. We have a pretty extensive holiday meal menu, so the timing has to be just right with everything!
Kaylee and Chelle
Brianna, Kaylee, and Chelle
Chris and Brianna
We even had time for Kaylee to snap a family picture for us before Mom and Shawna arrived to help with the cooking. She took three shots, and I was pleasantly surprised with how good they are!
Even this one just makes me laugh!
As soon as Mom and Shawna got here to help with the meal, Mom checked on the turkey and announced that we had put it in the roaster upside-down. I had no idea it had to go in a certain way, and I was so grateful that Mom checked on it! Chris turned it over the correct way (which was no small task since it was already hot) and promptly announced that he had flipped the bird, lol!
While the bird-flipping and other cooking was going on, Dad and Jeremy were on their way to the airport to pick up JT who had flown in to spend a few days with us. We received this photo letting us know he had been safely retrieved :-).
I had some very happy children once JT arrived at our house!
Before lunch was ready (because we always eat a noon meal at holidays), we took the opportunity to get a family photo of those who were present. 💓
Chelle, Chris, JT, Shawna, Jeremy, Kaylee, Brenson, Brianna, Brooke, G-Jo, Grampy, and Brecklyn
I always think about taking a photo of the food . . . but it's always after everyone has filled their plates and have started eating. We'll just have to use our imaginations to picture a plate overflowing with amazing, hot food in all the yummiest flavors. We are so blessed!
After some downtime that afternoon, we all spent the late afternoon and evening playing more games and visiting.
I played spades for the first time in years. JT was my partner, and I'm sad to report that we got stomped. AND, it was pretty much all my fault 😔.
Meanwhile, there was a mean game of Mexican Train happening in the living room!
That evening, we had a family devo as usual, but this time I enlisted Chris to take a photo of it for me!
Chris's side of the family always has their big Thanksgiving meal on Friday instead of Thursday. I think they started doing that initially to accommodate Cassie and Joe going to Joe's side of the family on Thursday, but it's always been that was since I've been in the family. Now that Mom and Dad live in the same town as us, this means that we can make both family meals. This is a first for us!
Friday morning, my crew got up and left the house around 10:00am to go to Meme and Papa's house for the day. We left two sleeping teenagers at our house, but I think someone came and picked them up eventually :-).
Of course, we kicked off the day with a big meal. Chris and Abby were both masters in the kitchen!
Meme and Chelle
My kids all sit at their own "kids" table in the kitchen. It's simultaneously wonderful and sad that they're all big enough to sit and handle their business at dinner without needing my help constantly!
No one wanted to look for my family picture, haha!
After lunch, the kids had a ball playing with Uncle Joe in the living room.
Then, Brenson headed outside. When we're at Meme and Papa's house, that boy only wants to be outside. He doesn't care if it's cold or raining or hot or windy . . . outside is his happy place! And all the better if he gets to shoot!
And finally, Meme always sets up and decorates her Christmas tree on the Friday after Thanksgiving. I think she does this because she likes the kids to help her, and they certainly love that!
While Bren was outside, the girls were enjoying themselves inside with Meme's stuffed animals!
Brecklyn, Brooke
Meme also had a Christmas ornament craft planned for them.
Brianna, Abby, Brecklyn, Meme, and Brooke
Abby and Brianna doing nails :-)
We headed home around 7:00pm, and everyone was worn smooth out! It was a good visit, and we were very grateful for that. Once we got home, Mom, Dad, Jeremy, Shawna, JT, and Kaylee came over for our evening devo before bed.
The next morning (Saturday), Jeremy and his crew left bright and early to drive home. We spent an hour or so doing housework, then decided there was no better time to decorate our house for Christmas. Okay, maybe I decided that, but I'm lucky that Chris goes along with most of the ideas I hatch up :-).
Sometimes our holiday "breaks" seem like they are more exhausting than relaxing, but we do not take for granted how blessed we are to have so much family to share our time with. Our bodies were tired after this week, but our hearts were full!
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