Gratitude

My sister put all of her sentiments so eloquently...to read how I feel about my family please just go here and pretend its me talking...

Here was last week in pictures. My parents, little bro and his wife, and a cousin with her husband and daughter all came to enjoy Thanksgiving with us. I was in Heaven. There was minimal stress, amazing company, roaring fires, plenty of wassil, games, outings, delicious food, and again- a trampoline. It could not have been more enjoyable for me. Thank you so much for coming!!Martha Stewart, eat your heart out. I finally had occasion to set an adult-looking table. I was quite pleased. It just made me happy.

Hazel didn't miss out on a thing. It just wouldn't be right.

We live just-enough-in-the-country to see a lot of stars at night. Sometimes I just go outside at night to look at them. I do.

The girls made a picture storyline of the first Thanksgiving. I think my favorite part of this activity is when I was explaining ever-so-absent-minded that the pilgrims came over on the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria...until my 2nd grader delicately pointed out "wasn't that Christopher Columbus?" yikes. Looks like its back to elementary school for me.

The gang entertained me with a little Turkey Bowl on Thursday. It made me tired (and cold) just watching.

Uncles are great. We are glad to have this one close by. He's a good one, he is.

This woman has 7 kids and 16 1/2 grandchildren. I am impressed.

Aunts are a good thing too...especially really cute ones with orange shoes.

We like this Uncle too.
We visited an amazingly beautiful Christmas Tree farm and let the boys cut down a tree. They even have complimentary hot chocolate and black currant juice. We will visit that one again.

I am indeed, so so lucky.

Then one day we took everyone to the Cider Mill. Unfortunately we hit it on a day that the steam powered press was not running...but we did get cookies and fresh cider out of it.

My adorable cousin brought her little family to visit. Aren't they the most darling people ever? I love how they meshed so well with us...I loved having them!

This is probably the reason that my Christmas cards aren't done yet. But it was worth it...don't these ladies look smashing in their Thanksgiving Day aprons?

Sometimes I threaten to put my kids in a crate and send them to China. I just might. But not this week. What? I gave them a bag of cookies for the trip...

Clark took us all on a tour of his sub. I am amazed that more submariners don't go crazy. Honestly, bless the man. I think I would rather be alone with four nutso little girls. I'd show you more of these pictures...but then I'd have to kill you, and then who would read my blog?

Thank you family! for coming to visit us, and play and love me!! Come again soon!!
and Thanks Mo and Spencer for the pictures!