Thanksgiving

We visited Texas for Thanksgiving.  It would have been so much easier and less time consuming to have flown.  But we forged memories as we drove 24 hours, each way, as a family.  There's nothing like traveling with an 8 month old, a 2 year old and a  dog.  At least Zoe is a small dog.

 

The kids loved getting together with their cousins.  Mikie loves little kids.

Rachel couldn't get enough of her pal Sydney.

I'd have Syd over all the time if she lived closer.


My dad finally got to meet Joseph.  I love seeing the resemblance.


My dad, my son and my husband.  Boy, I love these boys.


Rachel loves Christmas decorations.  One night she even hugged the Christmas tree.


"I love you pretty flowers."


I wish I knew what Rachel was telling Aunt Melinda.  It was obviously very important.


Doug took Rachel on an adventure.  They took Zoe out for a walk and explored the surrounding area.  I was thrilled to capture this little moment as they talked and looked at the pond.



The adventure continued when we found a caterpillar.


Rachel liked looking at it as long as she was protected by her dad.


I am thankful for Thanksgiving and the excuse to visit family.  I love my family so much.  We can hardly wait for our next Texas adventure.

Thanksgiving 2010

We love the holidays.  It's the one time a year that Doug and I will get to see most of our families.  Thanksgiving was our opportunity to spend time with the Goodwin clan.  We went down to Provo the night before Thanksgiving so that we could partake of all of the next day's activities.

Unfortunately for us, Rachel was unnerved by sleeping in different surroundings.  It turned a girl who sleeps like a champion into a screaming banshee.  Doug and I took turns rocking her, singing to her and holding her in bed.  Many prayers were said.  Then a blessing.  She was asleep 15 minutes later at 11:30pm.  She slept quietly until 4:30am and began to cry again.  Doug heroicly wrestled with her in our bed for another 3 hours until he gave up and got up. She did surprisingly well the next day for getting only a small amount of sleep.  She took a small catnap in her daddy's arms but otherwise there was no napping either.

Rachel loved playing with her cousins.






Doug brought his slot car racing set to play with the kids.  Rachel loved that too.


 

 

Zoe accosted her favorite "cousin" McKenzie.


Doug and Dad worked on the setup crew along with many others.




Greg serenaded us with some beautiful Christmas music.


Laura carried the brunt of the work and slaved cooking dinner most of the day.  Mom had hurt herself earlier that week and was in some of the worst pain of her life.  For those who know Charlotte, that is saying something.  My only contribution to the food was a favorite from my family...cheese ball.  It was a big hit with McKenzie and Alexandria too.


We feasted.  We talked.  We loved being home with the family.  But, as with all good things, it had to come to an end.  Everybody scattered to their respective homes and lives.

Thanksgiving 2009

Our little gang loaded up the Trailblazer and headed away from the sunset.  And  26 short hours later we arrived in Italy, TX.  We were a little worse for the wear but eager to be with family.  It was so fun to introduce Rachel to everybody.  We had such a good time that we forgot to get the camera out and take more pictures.  Thank you, Texas Gang for the great time.

Rachel met Granddad South

She hadn't seen Grandmother South since she was 2 weeks old.

She had tons of fun meeting aunts, uncles and cousins.

We all played,

we went to the zoo,

we hung out,

and we slept.

 

And no Thanksgiving would be complete without eating more than we should have.

(not pictured)