thanksgiving at the farm...

this year we spent thanksgiving with my family at my parents farm.  it was an extra special year with my family because my dad's entire family was there.  his brother and his family traveled all the way from florida to celebrate with us.  and his middle brother drove up from houston.  it was very special for my grandmother to have all her boys and their families all together.  however, we did miss my mom's parents.  last year both of them were seated at the thanksgiving table and this year they are in heaven.

our long weekend was spent hanging out at the farm and loving to chance to spend quality time with family.  we even convinced them all to take a family picture.  (yes, this group takes some convincing to smile for the camera.)

we also...
watched some football.  go cowboys!!  (mark and aunt laura were happy.) sorry lions! (uncle pat and timmy were not so happy.)

prepared three turkeys for the thanksgiving meal (baked, smoked, and fried) along with tons of yummy sides.  all the turkeys were delicious, but my favorite was the fried. yum!!

uncle sean (the professional chef) did some cooking as well.  he makes the BEST green bean casserole and some really good gravy too!

jack loved dessert- and there was plenty of it.  his favorite part was "helping" beat the whipped cream for the pies.  the boy loves dessert!!!

oh, one of the most exciting events of the weekend was one of my dad's cows gave birth to a calf on thanksgiving!!  my dad named her "pilgrim" but the kids and i are calling her "cranberry."  we think that is a much cuter name. ;)

most of all, i loved having a break from our routine and getting to spend lots of time with these two (and mark)...

this thanksgiving we had so much to be thankful for, but here are a few of the specifics... the chance to spend time with extended family, a table full of delicious food prepared with lots of love, laughter, friendly competition at the shoot range, cool fall weather, friends that we consider family who were able to gather with us, good dinner conversation, gram lois' homemade rolls, smiles for the camera, time to relax, and for the chance to thank god for our many blessings while praying together as a BIG family.