I have to go back and post about my Thanksgiving! In the rush of the holidays and all that was going on with my family, I failed to show some pictures of our wonderful Thanksgiving meal with my husband's family!
We decided two years ago to alternate holidays between my family and his. Jemma wants to be in her bed on Christmas and we want that too. It was just too much to drive to Tennessee and visit two families in a week, get back and have any down time before school and work started back. It was a hard decision to make, but it is best for our family for now!
This year was Thanksgiving at my mother-in-law's. She loves Thanksgiving and every year she makes the turkey (who is always named George!) and the italian dressing from my husband's grandmother. It is made with italian sausage, mushrooms, oregano, poultry seasoning, and breadcrumbs with a few other things thrown in! Oh my goodness, but is it ever so yummy! She sets a beautiful table and is always so proud to use the Waterford Crystal collection that we started for her on her first trip to Ireland. It is so beautiful! I hope to collect it myself one day! I love it that much!!!!
We got there on Tuesday night and my SIL and her boyfriend came on Wednesday. My BIL and his family decided to go to the beach this year so it was a smaller group, but wonderful all the same!
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| This year was the big year when Jemma really wanted to help Nana with the turkey and all the cooking. My SIL, Vicki, came up with the great idea to get them matching aprons! How cute are these??? |
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| The girls are ready and everyone is excited! |
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| Check out Jemma's face... it is all fine and dandy to talk about helping with the turkey and another to rub butter on a slimy turkey! She doesn't really like to get her hands dirty so this didn't last too long! At least she looked super cute in her apron!! |
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| Gorgeous Waterford crystal from Ireland |
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| Horrible lighting, but would you look at the cuteness of this shirt! The same lady who did the aprons made this shirt. It is a turkey applique with ribbons folded over and stitched for the feathers. It is the cutest thing and it is pretty big so she can wear it for several years! |
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Ready for the feast!
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| George... oh George... how good you were this year! |
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| The BHW carving the turkey |
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| This was our Christmas too so we exchanged gifts that night. Some short person was ready to open gifts! |
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| I used photoshop to add a prayer that my SIL fell in love with to a picture of the cross from Ireland. I think she liked it! |
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| My MIL loved this coat in Ireland but didn't get it because she didn't want to have to pack it and lug it back home, so we bought it, hid it and surprised her with it for Christmas! |
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All four Barbie sisters singing Christmas carols. I take that back... singing one Christmas carol. Only one song...
It is cool though. They each have their own voice and can sing alone or with the others. It would just be nice if they had a couple of songs to sing! |
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| Aunt Vickie got her roller skates! She was so excited! She put them on, stood up and both feet flew out from under her and she landed right on her tail without ever actually moving! She was a bit timid from then on, but determined to do it as long as she could hold on to her dad! |
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| Practicing the next day. She found her groove by hanging on to his back pockets. He would walk around the patio dragging her behind, stop, hitch up his pants, and keep on going! He is a good daddy! |
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| The next night we went to the Bristol Speedway to see the lights. If you haven't done this and you live anywhere near east Tennessee, I highly recommend it! The lights are absolutely incredible! |
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| Waiting to get in... |
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Still waiting...
I promise this is not child neglect without her seatbelt on! It took us about an hour of creeping along until we got in! |
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| Finally!!!!! |
The next day Jemma played in Nana's front yard before we left and I just sat and took some pictures of her with the lovely light.
One last hug before saying good bye and heading home. It was a wonderful Thanksgiving!
