Thanksgiving 2012

We had an extra special Thanksgiving week this year.  Typically, we do a low-key day with just the 6 of us.  Everyone was excited when we learned that Carolyn and Paul were going to host Thanksgiving dinner at their new house and that Grandmom & Pop, Gretchen, Elizabeth & Matthew plus Kathryn & Scout would be joining us!

The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins.  The trio hadn't seen Elizabeth and Matthew in a couple of years and didn't really remember them.  It took no time at all for everyone to start playing together and having a blast.  Matthew, Willa and the Trio are all the same age, so it was so much fun having 5 4-yr-olds running around.  They are at a great age where they are really starting to play with each other.  I especially love how close Elizabeth and JP are.  Even though there is a 2-yr difference between them, you would never know it.  They have so much fun playing together and I think JP adores her as much as she does him.  She even got to "sleepover" one night and that made them both so happy.

Grandmom and Pop stayed at our house the whole time which was especially nice.  The kids loved all the extra attention they received.  I was grateful that Grandmom jumped in a took charge of our Thanksgiving contibutions that included a lemon cheesecake with gingersnap crust and a yummy cream cheese olive dip.  All I had to do was gather the ingredients and supply our traditional sparking grape juice for the kids to drink.

We were able to get together several times during the week and even got to catch up with The Edgars one night which was a treat.  Thanksgiving itself was a fun day filled with yummy food and lots of family and friends.  As always, we have so much to be thankful for and this year we are especially grateful for family making the trip out West!

Tuesday night the kids put on a music show!

JP had his first cello recital!

Willa and Elizabeth on the Triangle and Xylophone:

Elizabeth sang a song:

...and Caitlin & Madison did some ballet moves for everyone!

 Thursday the kids were quick to start playing as soon as we arrived:

Matthew:

Elizabeth & JP trying to sink one some Battleships!

Chef Paul cooked two delicious turkeys on the grill:

Grandmom & Gretchen helping to preparing the food:

Scout made a new friend Gus:

 Joe worked up his appetite pushing kids higher & higher:

Our attempt at a group grandkid shot.  We had to include Scout too!

The kid's loved their little tables and their sparking grape juice!

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving kept the kiddos entertained while the kitchen was cleaned:

Lots of yummy desserts were the perfect way to end the evening!