THANKSgiving

This year we had an especially fun Thanksgiving week. We were lucky enough to have Grandpa Gene and Grandma Tammy here for the whole week and we had lots of fun.

The week started off with Emma's Thanksgiving Feast at school. Grandma and I helped her dress as an indian for the feast. She was so excited to wear her costume and thought it was so cool. But we had a few teary sessions, as she worried that she would be the only one dressed up. I finally talked her into wearing her costume to the bus stop, and then if the other four first graders at the bus stop did not dress up she could just take her costume off and wear her clothes underneath. We walked out to the bus stop with her hiding behind me the entire way. . . and waited . . . oh, the relief when she saw two pilgrims and another indian walking down the street!


One day we enlisted the grandparents to help with yard work. We raked a bunch of leaves, cleaned out all of our gutters and trimmed the front hedges. They are pretty great to always come and do projects with us on their vacation. Grandpa even cleaned up a snake that I inadvertently cut in half while I was trimming the hedges. I am so glad he didn't tell me until I was done!


We spent one day out at Yorktown. It was really fascinating, the strategies that were used in battle were amazing. The kids even loved touring the battlefields -- they ran around, picked flowers, and had little picnics.


On Thanksgiving morning we went up to the University of Richmond Turkey Trot. Grandpa Gene is a big runner and decided to sign-up for the 10K on Thanksgiving morning. Then we found out they had a free kids run. The kids were so excited they even got to wear their own numbers. Ben had gone to the Turkey Bowl with the ward, so I got to run with the kids. When we got to the starting line our cute neighbors were there with their kids too.


Grandma Tammy took Nate in the stroller to get some pictures at the finish line. It was a great race -- not too crowded and enough support from our neighbors and Grandma and Grandpa that the kids could all run at their own pace. After the kids race we got to cheer Grandpa on. It was exhilarating to watch him cross the finish line. What a fun way to start the day.

When we got home we finished preparing our feast. I can't imagine what I would have done without Tammy. She was amazing -- dinner turned out fabulously. We also invited the missionaries (Elder Wright and Elder Bronson) over for dinner.


I am so thankful for my family. What a wonderful blessing to have such an amazing husband and kids, and such supportive and loving extended family. Happy Thanksgiving!