Happy Thanksgiving!!!

I SHOULD be writing about Christmas, but I'm running a little behind. So here's our Thanksgiving day festivities first. We celebrated with Brandon's family this year, and hosted dinner in our new home for all 29 of us! We feel so blessed to have a home with a large gathering area for so much family. We had a great day of food, games, movies and visiting.

Every Thanksgiving we spend with Brandon's family, they sing their traditional Thanksgiving song. I don't think I'll ever learn the words to that song as we only sing it once every 2 years! Oh, well! We have our own song in my family!

Sarah & Jacob ready to feast!

Jonah, Eli, Samuel, & Naomi eating at the kids' table.

Brandon with Nathan & Brett with William. We FINALLY got coordinating genders with these last babies!

Nathan enjoying a little snuggle time with Uncle Justin. Gear up, Justin, there's lots of this coming your way because . . .

"My Aunt Amy is having a baby! I CAN NOT BELIEVE IT!!!" is the sign Jacob posted after Justin and Amy told us their wonderful news!

Nathan & Papa

Papa was enjoying a little snuggle time with Nathan. I hope Nathan comes to realize how blessed he is to have the influence of such a wonderful grandfather in his life. After all, Nathan was named after this sweet man.

Visiting Santa

We made our annual trip to sit on Santa's lap and take a picture recently. Mommy made it into the picture because Jonah was a little too nervous to approach Santa on his own. Jonah asked Santa for toys -- very appropriate. Sarah asked for an American Girl Doll -- hopefully a generic brand will suffice. Jacob asked for roller blades, a scooter, and a Nerf gun. "I know we only get 1 gift from Santa, so I thought I'd just tell Santa everything I wanted and then he could choose." Ahh, very wise. Mommy was blindsided when Santa asked her what SHE wanted! I just stared at him thinking, "I don't know what I want! I have everything I've ever needed!" How blessed we have been this year!

Christmas Clothes from Grandma!

I love getting that hoped for call from Grandma, "I'm at Gymboree. What sizes are your kids in now?" Whenever that call comes, we know the kids will look their best for the holidays! Grandma didn't buy Brandon Christmas clothes, of course, but he matched and somebody needed to hold Nathan. So, Grandma, here's 4 cute kids thanks to you!

Girls' Day at The Nutcracker

I called my friends, Angela and Betsy, to join me with their 5 year old girls at The Nutcracker this year. The girls were fascinated with the ballet, although it got a little long for them. Sarah was very concerned about the dancers' modesty, commenting that the girls weren't dressed very modestly since we could see their shoulders. "But at least their chests are covered up!" she decided. Whew! That IS a good thing. It was a fun day with the girls, followed by a lunch at Jason's Deli! Yum!

Sarah, Addy & Abby at the ballet

Sarah and Mommy at the ballet