Give Thanks

Time to catch up with Thanksgiving pictures! Just looking through these pictures (limited as they are), it's so obvious to me how true the wreath is. So much to be thankful for, particularly faith family and friends. As long as I can remember, my dad's side of the family has gotten together. In fact, this gathering predates me. I look forward to it every year. As far as family gatherings go, this is our Christmas. Such a fun and loving group, I wouldn't trade one Thanksgiving for the world. My grandmother has put so much effort and love into planning it year after year and has built a tradition and legacy that is WAY bigger than this blog, so I won't even try. I should've taken a lot more pictures, but I missed a lot of the fun (turkey tree, chinese auction, poker challenge, etc.). This year we gathered in Highlands, NC. The roads were windy (a bit too windy for John on the way home, but let's not focus on that). The views were breathtaking (again, should've taken pictures). The fun was crazy.

Eve and Buck. You can't tell how steep the driveway is, but it was steep enough for John to know walking all the way down meant walking all the way back up, which he didn't find to be such a great idea. Also, it was FREEZING!

We all pitched in for the meal. Ellie too!

Eve washed the dishes...and did a mighty fine job.

This is my cousin Jay's wife, Cara. We love that she joined the family...even more so at dinner time.

Buck fried a Turkey. Once you've had one fried, you'll never stick one in the oven again!

Trevor, Ryan, Julie, Kasey, and Brian. Thanks for smiling, Kasey!

G.G. finally got to meet Ellie. They really hit it off. She loves Ponyboy, and so far as I know, G.G. is where ponyboy comes from.

There's a story here. My uncle John always carves the turkey. Unfortunately, shortly before Thanksgiving he carved his finger instead, landed himself in the hospital, and got out just before Thanksgiving. Unfortunately he didn't get to make the trip. He was sorely missed, but Jay was ready to take on the task. I think watching this while our kids were running around was the "holy cow!" moment I had realizing that at one point we were those kids running around and Uncle John was a young dad carving the turkey (Jay isn't a dad, but you get the point)...weird!

I'm so glad I captured this. We were getting ready to head to downtown Highlands to go shopping. G.G. sat down with John to start him on a craft and show him how to make an origami box. Two huge things (although there are many) that make Grandma who she is in my eyes are the time she spends sharing crafts with kids and her origami. She and John had a special one-on-one time doing both, which was very cool. I think they both enjoyed it a lot.

My cousin, Kyle, is a Marine in Afghanistan right now. We made a video of 3-word tributes to him. Some serious, some funny. The lovely PBR goblet was won in the Chinese auction (actually Buck coerced John into taking it from someone).

On the last day there, we took a freezing hike about .1 miles into the woods. Needless to say, it was followed by hot chocolate. Thankfully Mom was willing to keep Ellie back at the house.

There was an island in site with no path leading to it or clear way to reach it. John decided he wanted to go to it, and proceeded to forge his own path. Trevor was equally adventurous and helped John find a way. Two boys, freezing cold water and a log to cross...I think we all know where this is going.

Going to the island, of course! I was so proud of John. He set his mind on it, and he did it. He didn't freak out crossing the log, which was covered in branches. He didn't even freak out that he didn't really know Trevor. He just did it. I'm proud of Trevor, too, for stepping up and managing to get John across the log...dry!

Yay!

John wrote his name in the sand and named the island "John's Island".
On the way back they both almost fell in and John emerged with wet shoes and one wet leg up to the knee, but he didn't even care. He was so pround!

Nap time was a little crazy...trying to get everyone to sleep in the same room. Finally Eve crashed like this. Shades on and hairbrush by her side. This is my diva in the making.

In the end, we are all so thankful for so many things, but we must always pause to remember to whom we give thanks. Clearly, our blessings abound and we must give credit where credit is due. God is a great God!