Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving in Mississippi, where my parents and grandparents live. Damaris, Baby Lawson and I drove in Tuesday day and Lawson and Ryan followed Tuesday night. Matt and Amanda came in on Wednesday. We were all excited about this holiday because our Aunt Sharon (my mom's sister) and our cousins were coming in from California and Texas to celebrate with us. Bryan, Jamie and Sophia live in Texas and Brendan and Anna and Brett live in California. My dad had to drive to Huntsville to pick up my aunt and brought a surprise with him. My mom's brother, Uncle Mike! Mom, Grandma and Grandpa were so excited!!!!! It had been several years since my mom had seen Mike, so it was wonderful to catch up and take lots of pictures and just have a wonderful time with family. We missed the ones who were not able to come but they were in our thoughts.

Lawson loved this chair/pillow combo.

Wednesday was pie making day as well as tamale making day. We always have to buck tradition and have something different for the holidays. Thankfully on Wednesday night we had a ham and Damaris' delicious chicken pies. Damaris and Ryan's friends, Lee and Sarah with their two boys, Hez and Silas, were also there for dinner, so we had a houseful.

Aunt Sharon and Dad making tamales. (I made a few, but it was more fun eating them than making them.)

Silas, burying Lucy under toys.



Thanksgiving brought the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and a wonderful breakfast from Mom and Dad. Then we watched football and prepared for an early Thanksgiving dinner of my Aunt Angie's award winning roasted pepper and three cheese tamales, as well as my dad's chile verde and chile colorado tamales. (Dad is a great cook!) We also had enchiladas, rice, refried beans, white cheese dip and homemade tortillas. And pie. Lots of pie. Mom and Grandma outdid themselves with coconut cream pies, pumpkin pies, banana cream pies, pecan pies and Matt's favorite, strawberry cream pie. Everything was delicious. Afterwards, we sat around and talked and laughed and watched football and it was wonderful. I wish all our family was closer than they are. Then we could have these types of get togethers on a weekly and monthly basis, instead of yearly or longer. But we were grateful for the time we had.

Enjoying the feast! Or should I say "Fiesta!"

I love this picture of Brendan and Lawson!

Enjoying a Thanksgiving popsicle.

Lawson, Taryn and Bryan

The Grandkids and Great-Grandkids

Those who married into the family and have been adopted by the family!

Jamie, Lawson, Ryan, Matt, Amanda, and Anna

On Friday, the girls (Damaris, Amanda, Taryn, Jamie and Anna) went to Tupelo (where Elvis was born) to shop and look for great deals while the grandparents hung out with the babies. Brendan, Brett and Bryan went to the Ole Miss game, Lawson slept (he was sick) and Matt played the Wii. He became an expert and subsequently kept beating me at tennis. There were a lot of people out and we did our best to stimulate the economy. Damaris got Ryan a flat screen TV which is so cool! Jamie bought a computer and I bought a hat for Baby Lawson. What can I say? My shopping was already done. The best time was eating lunch with Jamie and Anna, because we don't get to see them that often and it's wonderful to connect with our cousins' wives. They are wonderful.

Somewhere in this crazy week, Lawson and Sophia made Granny (my grandma) a gingerbread house, where Lawson proceeded to eat more candy than he put on the house.

Saturday brought relaxation and of course, football. Florida played FSU and Auburn played Alabama. Damaris was sad that Auburn lost, but we were excited that Florida stomped FSU. And we love Tim Tebow all the more.

It was a wonderful Thanksgiving and we are so blessed to have a wonderful, loving family. Hopefully, one day, we will all be closer and these gatherings can be more frequent.