One Big Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving both Andy's family and my family were able to celebrate together, in Des Moines, at our house.  My Grandma would be so proud that we prepared a meal for 18.  It doesn't come close to the 40+ she would have around her table at the holidays, but we are getting closer.

I was very excited to dust off all of my china for the occasion.  We had such a great day, and the food was delicious!! 

Hannah helped me get the house clean for all the visitors.  Is it bad that Henry says "Mom, are we having guests" anytime I take out the vacuum??  Guess that means I should probably vacuum more...

The kids played, and played, and played. 

This doll stroller has been a huge hit lately.  For both dolls and real babies!

Playing 'guns' with Henry's tools.  Anything that can possibly turn into a gun does, oh the imagination of young boys!

Playing sports outside while daddy got the turkey fryer ready. 

Frying the turkey.  An annual tradition at our house!

Getting all the food ready. 

Andy's famous yummy friend turkey with a special garnish on the side. 

We fit all the adults in one room which was nice. 

The kids table. 

Future beer pong players??  Possibly??  20 years down the road of course...

Schmidt family photo. 

Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt with the grand kids.

Salwey family photo. 

We ended the night with an exciting game of Cranium! 

We are so very blessed to have all of our family so close that we can get together for the holidays.  I'm already looking forward to the next get together at Christmas!

Thanksgiving in Shuey

Here are our pictures from Thursday in Shueyville.  The weather was so nice out we didn't even need coats on!  I'd been planning to capture our family photo for our annual Christmas card and with about fifteen tries we got a good one.  Hannah even kept the bow in her hair! 

Of course the second we hand them off to Grandma Deaner and Papa they are perfect for every picture!

What I am Thankful For

As I take time to reflect this year I can't help but to be overwhelmed with how thankful I am for family.  Andy and I are so fortunate to have such wonderful families, and because of them, we are who we are.  One big happy family that I am so thankful for. 

The past four days were wonderful.  We celebrated our Thanksgiving several times, first in Shuey with a small feast my dad prepared for our family and Danielle and Brian.  My mom is a nurse, so growing up we were used to having 'alternative' holidays.  Christmas Eve wasn't always on December 24th if mom had to work.  And Thanksgiving Day was sometimes just dad and the girls.  But we always made it work.  And really, it was all we knew.  So this Thanksgiving my mom had to work.  She lucked out and got to leave at 2pm instead of 7pm though, so we got to spend Thursday night together.  The weather was so beautiful on Thursday so we got to spend a lot of time outside, which was wonderful.

It is tradition on Friday early AM to hit up black Friday shopping.  So mom, Danielle and I got up at 3:30am and hit up Younkers, Kohls, Bed Bath and Beyond and Target.  Got some serious deals and the kids Christmas gifts about done! 

I got home just in time to shower and head to Charlotte, IA for Thanksgiving at Andy's cousin Darlene's farm with Andy's dad's side of the family.  Darlene has three kids, ages 5, 7, and 9.  And both Bennett and Camron were there as well.  So the day consisted of the boys chasing each other around with their guns and jumping on the trampoline.  Henry had a blast.  He honestly did not slow down for one second.

The kiddos eating Thanksgiving lunch. 

Henry keeping up with the big boys on the trampoline. 

Jumping so high!

He can turn it himself with his feet.  He told me he didn't need me to push him as he could do it by himself.

Swinging with Camron. 

Friday night we drove back to Des Moines to get ready for our big Thanksgiving dinner we had Saturday.  I'll post more pics from that later. 

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!