Thanksgiving

Some of my favorite Thanksgiving's are still from my childhood.  Aunts, uncles and cousins would all descend upon my grandparents small log home.  The cousins would often run around outside playing games like Annie, Annie Over or take walks around "the loop" or go upstairs to play battle ship or connect four.  The adults would get the meal prepped and set.  We always ate using the gold ware. There was always plenty of sparkling cider to drink; if there was alcohol, I don't remember. There was always an abundance of food.  My favorites were always the sweet potatoes, the dinner rolls and the banana cream pie... oh and the peanut butter candy that my Aunt RaeAnn made!
There were two separate tables, One for the adults and one for the kids. As a kid I always wished I could go sit at the adult table.  Having kids, of my own now, I realize how nice it probably was for the adults to have their own table and not have to scream over kids to carry on a conversation.
Card games, puzzles and lots of conversation could be counted on, after the meal was finished and the kitchen was buttoned up.  This is what I think Thanksgivings are supposed to be.  Family all crammed together with LOTS of food, sharing life together.

This year the boys and I were invited to a few different friends' homes, here in Minot.  It is amazing to me the amount of support we have received this holiday season.  We joined my friend Lawanna, her husband David, son Ares and daughter Ada for Thanksgiving.  Lawanna and I made a menu and divided the cooking in half.  We both spent some quality time, in our own kitchens, to make our beautiful spread.

I used my Grandma Bernadette's dinner roll recipe, in her handwriting.

My contribution to the meal

Our feast.

We ate our Thanksgiving meal shortly after 12:00pm.  The food was amazing.  Of course Dillan took roughly two bites of his meal and tried to run around the table the rest of the time.  Everyone else enjoyed mounds of food!  The kids spent a few hours watching movies and playing in the basement.  We three adults visited and watched a little TV as well.  I'm so thankful that we had a fun, relaxing place to go this year.

For the last few weeks, before bed I have been asking the boys to list 5 things that they are thankful for. Here are a few of the things they consistently like to talk about.
Tanner ~ Family.  Friends.  School.  Classmates.  His home.
Dillan ~ Tanner.  Mommy.  Daddy.  Me (himself).  Duckie.  Sprinkles.  Granola Bars.

The only picture I took that wasn't food related for the day... weird!

This week in photos;

We attended a went to a different church than the one we had been attending for the last year and a half.  The boys loved it said they'd like to try it again this week.  They read Luke 17:11-19 and colored in a picture. Dillan was able to tell me what he'd learned.  It was so fun to hear his excitement.  They also made these Thank You cards.  Tanner's was to me.  Dillan's was to Tanner.  They traced their hands and told four things that they are thankful for. I'm not sure who 'Sam' is that Dillan is referring to.  He said he was just saying letters! haha

Dillan's church craft.

Tanner's church craft.

Brandon loves Cowboy Candy, which is candied jalapeños.  I made a few batches up this week, so that he'll be able to enjoy some in his new place of residence.

Cowboy Candy simmering away.

Kameron and Kaleb enjoying some marble maze play with the boys.

Hanging their stockings.

The boys will be decorating he tree this year.  The upper third of the tree is pretty bare.

Dillan has been working on this little master piece above his bed for a while.  He takes some down and put some more up.

These kids ask for pancakes non-stop.  I'm lucky I always have flour, sugar, eggs, and milk in the house! Oh and sprinkles to make them look really awesome! 

Dillan is always trying to get me to take pictures of him and Duckie "snuggling".

Ralphy has made his reappearance back into our home.  They boys love finding him in the morning. They could really care less if he does or doesn't tell Santa if they've been naughty or nice.  I'm about to give up on that part of the game and just let them play hide and seek with him this time of year.

Welcoming back Ralphy!!! (Day 1)

(Day 2)

My parents sent us a Thanksgiving care package.  It was filled with lots of books, coloring pages, candy, a great coffee mug sporting the area code of my favorite state, and lots love!