I thought I would make a list this of this year's highlights.
2. Seeing David's Grandpa at my MIL's house Wednesday night. He flew in from Phoenix to be with us for Thanksgiving. He's 93 years old, and he stays busy going to the senior's center every day and quilting. Yes...quilting. Grandma Lanphear made a Christmas quilt for every one of my kids, and Grandpa has taken over since she passed away in 2006. He's made one for our new baby due in February and gave it to me that night. Awesome.
3. Chatting and helping the rest of the ladies get the Thanksgiving meal on the table. We always have 20 pound plus turkey (and a ham this year), dressing, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, maybe a green vegetable, and at least 3 different desserts. Honestly, all I did was whisk the gravy and make scalloped corn because nearly everything else was ready by the time we arrived. This year's feast was exceptionally good. Our Rebecca got in line with the rest of the kids for desserts. She ate it so fast, she got back in line and was able to get seconds before the grownups started. Man...she's good. ;-)
4. Friday we had our first chili "cook off" between my BIL Peter and myself. It is admittedly fun to tease Peter...he can talk smack, and I can dish back out to him. Anyways, he's a pretty darn good cook. So we both made a batch of chili and cornbread, and the family gathered again at Peter and Stephanie's house to eat and vote on their favorite. My chili got 11 votes...I win!!!
5. I loved watching my kids play with their cousins. Mary, Rebecca, Christina, Sofia and Abby were holed up in Mary's room for hours, doing goodness knows what. Nick and Joshua played on the computer together and argued over the TV remote (of course). Gabriel, John, and Daniel were completely engrossed in the train set for most of the weekend, or joined the bigger boys (Adam, Andrew, George, and Joey) playing outside, or wacking each other with nerf swords. At one point, the Twister game was pulled out, and I sat on the couch laughing at their moves...it was so funny!
My MIL insistes on a picture of all the grandkids every year. And every year, the sofa gets a bit more crowded. Here's a pic of everyone...we are missing Ben (he lives in Boston with David's sister and our BIL).
Back row: Adam, Andrew, Grandpa, Joshua, Grandma, George, Mary, Abby, and Rebecca
Front row: Nick, Sofia, Joey, Daniel, Gabriel, John, Great Grandpa, and Christina
6. David and I when over to our friend Rachel's house, where we also met up with Jim. Both are old friends' of David's from high schools, but I've been dubbed "the 4th Muskeeter" since I married David. We stayed up until past midnight, talking, laughing, and drinking spiked tea (except me of course). I begged both of them to please come visit us here in Houston soon.
7. We headed back home on Saturday, stopping at a Braum's for lunch. Gabriel pitched a FIT when David tried to get him to share a double scoop ice cream cup with Christina. Well, he was having none of it, he wanted his own. I guess it was a good thing we did...Christina ate ALL of her ice cream. I was sure she wouldn't be able to finish it, but she did. And Gabriel got his cup all to himself. I can't blame him. ;-)
8. And finally, coming home and unloading the van...we always come back with 3x more stuff than we left with because the family will give us their Christmas presents for us. In addition, this time we had a used bike from my niece Abby that was just the right size for Rebecca...yeah!
Now all my chittlins have been fed pizza, bathed, and put to bed. Ahh...time for me to upack my stuff and go to bed. This momma is worn out!
I hope everyone had a great holiday, and ate themselves silly. We sure did! ;-)
