Giving Thanks & Decking The Halls!

What a weekend! Our weekend began last Tuesday afternoon with Lilly Kate's Indian PowWow and just kept on going! We woke up early Thursday morning and watched the traditional Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade! I look forward to it every year and always anticipate seeing the Rockettes and, of course, SANTA! While we were all watching the parade, I started in on making our casseroles for dinner at my grandmothers. Last year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house, so it was nice to take things at a MUCH slower pace this year. Dinner was definitely yummy and Grams did such a wonderful job!

my brother, Nathan, and Ethan.. these two are so alike, it's just scary! ;)

Family Pic - Take 1

Family Pic - Take 2

Goo Goo and her babies

Miss Sass!

After dinner we all headed over to Chris' parents for supper. I think we were all WAY too full from Gram's b/c all we managed to eat was desert! It was so nice to be able to spend the day with family though! We are so blessed with such a big family on both sides, so it gets a little stressful trying to squeeze everyone in, but it's all worth it in the end! :)

Friday we all got out and did a little Black Friday shopping! This year I have really procrastinated in buying Christmas gifts, but after our shopping on Friday... I almost halfway done! We were able to make it through Toys R Us, Target and the mall! Luckily, my chauffeur (aka - Chris) was kind enough to drop me off at the door and then drive around and wait on me, so we didn't have to fight for a parking spot! I was a super shopping that day... I had a goal and quickly found what I needed and purchased! It was so much fun! Well, minus the occasional road rage outburst from the driver! ha! I doubt he will ever again join me for Black Friday shopping!

Saturday turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous day! We decided to get out of the house and take Miss Dixie to the park! We spent about an hour just running around and having fun! It was so relaxing after such a hectic day the day before. The kid's loved it!

Saturday evening, I decided to start getting the Christmas decorations out. What a core! I seriously just do not know how we have accumulated so much Christmas stuff.. well, really just holiday stuff in general. Chris and I pulled at least 6 tubs down from the attic! And two of them were the oversized, double ones! I got about half of the decorations put up.. but still have the other half and the tree to put up next weekend! We are going to get our real tree next weekend! :) We also still have to put the outside decorations up too! I haven't quite decided if I'm going to have Chris put up lights.. we may just put lights in the bushes along the front walk?! Ethan also wants a blow up snowman.. I typically hate those things, but we'll see... I tend to give in where the kid's are concerned! ha!

some of the fall stuff to be put away

the kid's baby stockings... so sweet! i can't believe it's been two years since E's was used and FIVE since LK's was used! (*tears*)  :)

And what exactly were Chris and the kiddos doing while I decorated??? Goofing off, of course! Well, at least he was keeping them busy and away from all the breakables!

the rest of the decorations still waiting! SO much stuff!

usually Dixie is right up in the middle of all the action, but she was no where to be found! i went searching for her and found her in her bed! i guess all the fresh air really wore her out!

I went by Hobby Lobby Saturday and found the cutest material for LK! (for 50% off!) I used the brown & pink to make her a little jumper. I'm not sure what I'm going to use the pink & green print for just yet.. maybe some appliques?!

We got up early Sunday morning and went to church. We were so excited b/c Chris' cousin, Michael, was speaking at our church this weekend. He started with Living Hope in 2006 and then moved to Texas for school. Since he was in town for the holidays, they asked him to come speak. His sermon was incredible and we greatly enjoyed getting to hear him!

Later that afternoon we all went to Nana & Papa's (Chris' grandparents) for family pictures. Nana always likes to get pictures of the great-grandbabies during the holidays. It's about the only time we're all together! We managed to get a few cute ones, but it's always so difficult with so many kiddos running around!

LK is wearing the jumper I made... it turned out pretty cute!

We really had such a wonderful weekend! I am definitely not looking forward to getting up in the morning and starting the week! 5 days of no schedules, lunches and homework has really spoiled me. But never-the-less, back to the grind we go! We have another busy week ahead and I have more shopping to do tomorrow (Cyber Monday)!!

ethan is doing great with his potty training... this is him in the half bath downstairs.. book and all!