Give THANKGIVING!

As a military fam, we consider ourselves so lucky to be around so much family!  How often does one get stationed near a family member, let alone 4 groups of family members---from both sides!  Say, "Wha...??"

My parents are in B'ham, my sister and her fam are at Auburn, my mom's whole side of the family is in FL, and now Matt's sister and her family are in NC!  Again, say, "Wha...??"  I mean, this never. happens.  And I seriously doubt it will ever happen again.  (Sorry family.)

Since we hadn't been to visit Matt's sister, Marcie, in their new home, we decided (and they happily agreed) to go to NC for Thanksgiving.  It was so much fun!  Our boys and their boy had a great time together.  Seriously, cousin time has to be the best thing in the world.
+ really good food
+ really enjoyable company
+ really neat and quick road trips

I had brought some foods for the feast, but Marcie and Tyson are pros at cooking Thanksgiving.  (Has to be one of the top 3 turkeys I've ever had.)  I guess they have been doing Thanksgiving by themselves for over 5+ years straight.

After the Day of Thanks, we were able to have shopping trips around their town, able to go and visit Duke University only an hour-ish away, and even us adults were able to go on a fun double date.  Saweet stuff.
OH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  And not to mention visiting Pre-Revoltionary sites.  Yay!  Really lots of fun. A battle happened between some unhappy settlers and the British Royal NC Governor.  Could be considered the first battle of the Revolution... but... not really.   So the boys and us adults frolicked around the field, checking out positions, reading old statues, and taking a nature walk through the woods.

North Carolina.  You rock.  And now that you have the residence of Marcie, Tyson, and Jaxson, you rock even more!

Thankful Leaves for a Thankful Tree

Okay, so here's what I created for our "thankful tree":  "thankful leaves."  

Took me a bit to figure out what I wanted to do, but considering I haven't designed anything in a really long time, I'm pretty happy with how it all turned out.  One day I'll get a really awesome design program, but until then word and power-point will just have to do!  

I also do not know if this is printing friendly, but if someone wants to try feel free.

So new tradition, here we come!   Every evening I write down what everyone is thankful for, 

last night:

Isaac, "Jesus."

Eli, "Trick-or-Treat.  Halloween at Church!"

Titus, "This." (a sucker he was eating)

Mommy, "That all the boys ate their dinner."  

and then hang it on our "thankful tree."  (I hole punch a corner to it'll hang on the branches.)

Here's what the tree looks like right now... Spanish Moss on the branches.  BOOM!  

It should be less creepy looking when I find some happy ribbon, etc.  On the wall behind I might even hang a picture frame with a "be thankful" saying.  

Okay, so what are some of your Thanksgiving/ pre-Christmas traditions?  I'm really trying to be on top of it this year.  I feel like I've been dropping the ball way too many times.  

Love to hear your thoughts!  

Much love, 

Shannon 

Pickin' a Pic for Thanks

My, what a difference a year makes. 

Here I was a little over a year ago, holding on to dear life, trying to figure out life with 3 kids--ages 4 years old and under.  

And this is us now. Balance (mostly) found, relationships between the boys better, and all of us sleeping through the night pretty consistently. 

This year we have a lot to be thankful for!

We Be...

 

... so EXCITED!!

Thanksgiving break has begun. It couldn't be more welcome. Matt's days are 10 t0 14 hours long. Always gone in the afternoon and night. We miss our Matt Dad. We be so excited to have him home for a whole week! 

(And the other baby on the left beside Titus? Cousin Luke! My sister Ashley's son.)