Thanksgiving 2012

I had the entire week of Thanksgiving off.  Can you say FABULOUS??  The only thing I would've liked better would be for it to be longer...and for us to see our other parents.  But you can't have everything.  We loved our time with Grandma Penny.  It was finally a visit that was long enough (but we still wanted her to stay longer!) to where we didn't feel as if it were, "Hi...bye!"  Reid, in true tradition, came down with some weird stomach virus thingee.  I'm sure it's something I tracked home from school because one of my kids this week has already had it (and I've heard of a few more)...throw up, random fever for half a day, and just general crankiness.  Fun times!  Thankfully, it was over within two days (and yes, I did take him to the doctor to make myself feel better) so he could enjoy his Grandma time :)  Reid and I missed out on dinner with Daddy, Grandma, Uncle Steve/Taunt/cousins, but thankfully he was back to normal on Thanksgiving.  We enjoyed fun times and fabulous hospitality at the Karins' house. 

Chef Steven, preparing the turkeys to fry:

 Taunt with the two youngest boys, Henry and Wyatt

 French Daddies, Penny, and Harrison

Our best attempt at a family picture with a very squirmy Reid. Hoping future years will hold better photo opps...but this does pretty much resemble our lives right now.  We adults look pretty darn tired and wrinkly...but Reid thinks it's hilarious.

The Frenches' kids and Karins' kids made up their own headdresses and performance to do before the meal.  I posted it on Facebook and can't seem to access it at the moment, so here's the still shot.  Wasn't even my kid, but it made me tear up because it was all their idea, all American, and so sweet.

After dinner, Reid discovered this little cart.  He was pushed around by the girls, pushed around by Henry, and pushed around by Harrison.  What's wrong with this picture??  Shouldn't he be pushing his younger cousin around?!

They also loved playing on Uncle Steve.  Harrison used him as a drum and Reid thought it was hilarious.

The youngest French boys and Grandma Penny :)

The next day, Jason, Grandma Penny, Reid, and I enjoyed a nice walk and played in the park.  Reid did actually play on the playground for awhile, but then decided he liked a little girl's soccer ball, "Reid's ball!  Reid's ball!" The family had a spare and was very sweet to immediately offer that we borrow it.

Back at home, I had to get a photo opp with Grandma Penny and Reid, who (of course) had to include one of his beloved pumpkins.  Not sure what we'll be looking for on walks soon with all the pumpkins disappearing because he counts them and yells every time he sees one.

That evening, the other Frenches (minus Aimee and Harrison, who didn't feel well) came over for dinner and fun.  I have a priceless video of Jason playing football with Hayden.  Reid insisted on joining in (Henry loved the ball pit indoors) and Hayden was trying his best to teach Reid how to catch.  Apparently, it's too long to post on Blogger.  But here's a cute one of  Henry and Reid doing a puzzle together...

We are so very thankful for everyone God has placed in our lives.  Reid has five fabulous grandparents, five wonderful aunts/uncles, and five fun cousins.  Jason and I have one crazy, trying, hilarious kiddo for whom we are very thankful for each day.  We are thankful for all of our service men/women who fight to keep our country free.  But most importantly, we are thankful for His Son.  The verse that always seems to come to my mind, especially this time of year, is 1 Chronicles 16:34. "Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His lovingkindness is everlasting."