Turkey Time

Being the first year we have ever owned a dining room table, it seemed only appropriate to have everyone up here this year!  My folks still hadn't seen our new house, the Frenches were coming for Christmas, and Penny had just visited in the Fall.  Reid was excited to see his cousins and Carter just followed everyone around, as usual.  With cold, rainy weather in the forecast, we anticipated lots of cabin fever and got out every chance we could.  We took a nice hike/walk the first day and it was even warm enough for shorts.

Jason got to use his infrared "fryer" (tastes like deep fried turkey...but without all the bad fat!) and we all giggled from the plethora of thermometers he had plugged in.  Seems like every year we buy a new one because we can't remember which one(s) worked, so he tried 'em all this time.  The outcome was delish!

Carter busied himself with whatever looked interesting.  The big boys were super loud playing something, so he made his own wine cork ear plugs, lol.

Ben showed Grammy a video he'd made on the iPad.  It never ceases to amaze me how kids nowadays totally get technology.  The first year we had iPads at my school, I had to have one of the kids show me how to make all the icons stop shaking.  Talk about being put in your place!

The other big boys enjoyed Jason's handiwork in the media room and settled in for some football on the big screen.  I am still quite impressed that Jason did it all by himself because it was a ton of work...and he did an excellent job researching, building, and putting together. 

Turkey time!!  Carter was the first one ready...sitting all by himself while we got things ready.  He wasn't a big fan of my turkey headband on himself.

The big spread looked mighty fine...and smelled even better.  It didn't take much to convince anyone to jump in.

No kids' table at a holiday would be complete without lots of carbs (pretty sure that's all they ate!), a picture of everyone's eyes going in a different direction, and a fart song. 

We adults stuffed ourselves on all the goodies, not just carbs!  It was so nice to host our first Thanksgiving in our own dining room with an adult table. 

Carter loved it when Ben asked to read to him.  Ben was so sweet and patient with him, even though Carter was trying to turn the pages randomly.

Alex had to get in on the action, too, and had his turn next.  Too bad I can't convince Reid to read to him yet...

It was very quick and probably the last time we'll be able to do it since the tub was full of arms and legs, but we did manage to get everyone in for a traditional tub picture.

It was so fun to have the Shepherd side of the family up to our new house to explore our neighborhood, enjoy family time, and eat ourselves silly.  I'm so thankful for the memories we made on our first holiday here.

We're also so thankful for our fabulous neighbors!  Don't yet have a picture of them, but I do have one of their sweet little guy, Lane.  The boys all love each other (almost like brothers!) and we adults love to hang out.  God definitely heard our prayers :)