Thankfull Days

It's been a few weeks since Thanksgiving. Forgive me since they've been busy weeks.

As had become tradition we host Thanksgiving for the extended family. This year we had 14 people sleeping in the house at one point (3 BR, 2 bath). Close quarters, but it's all family.

Tom's brother, sister-in-law and their 2 daughters arrived Tuesday afternoon. Erin and Jeffrey were waiting at the window for them to arrive for several hours it seemed. They see their cousins a few times a year, and always play nicely together. Even if Jeffrey ends up the odd man out sometimes.



Grandma and Grandpa W. arrived later Tuesday night. The kids got to play with them for a few minutes before bedtime.


Wednesday was a day of some errands in the morning. Then the parents took off for a local winery leaving the kids with Grandma and Grandpa. We discovered a chocolate wine that was just divine!!

Thursday morning Noni, Grandpa, Oma and Uncle Jon arrived. How exciting!!!! We all had a great day. We chatted a ate. Tom smoked a turkey (which was done by 1 PM when we were planning on eating at 4 PM), there was ham, candied sweet potatoes, stuffing, mashed taters....all the fixings. We also had a plethora of pie. Can't ever have too much pie :)


As an extended family we all enjoy games. Clearly late to the party, but we all discovered Apples to Apples over the weekend. There were laughs, guffaws and all out silliness. So much fun!!!

While the adults played, the kids had their own party . . . in Erin's bedroom. Three cousins (Erin, Rylie, and Jeffery) spent the week camped out on Erin's floor. They all had so much fun chatting. Reading stories. Playing games. I'm not sure how much sleep was had, but fun with cousins is precious.

Friday morning, a few of us ventured out to black Friday fun. Jon and I hit up Toys-R-Us. Tom, Jeff and Robyn headed to Best Buy. They returned with mommy's Christmas gift...a new HD TV!!!!! So Friday afternoon we got some time to relax and watch a movie on the new TV.
Erin and Rylie spent the afternoon playing with Oma. What a special relationship Erin has with her Oma. Not every little girl has a 93-year old best friend. After dinner Friday, Noni et al had to head back to DC. The kids were very sad to see them go.

Saturday was another quiet day around the house before we headed out to dinner at a local Japanese restaurant. The kids call it the "fire place" and all had a great time. Jeffrey made sure to let Grandpa know, he really likes shrimp (which he does). When we got home we had time for a quick campfire in our fire pit on the deck.


Sunday morning Grandma and Grandpa had to head home. Daddy and Uncle Jeff planned a brew day. The mommys had some shopping to do and brought Mr. Jeffrey (feeling a little left out with the girls) along for the trip. The kids all had a great time playing.

We all had a great week with family. Though a little cramped at times, that's the way we like it. Can't wait to see you all again :)