Happy Thanksgiving!

Since school got out in May we've traveled somewhere out of state each month (except for August--we did go to St. Louis, but that is a monthly trip anyway).  It's been great. Lee and I love road trips and our kids don't seem to mind them either. Well, we kept it going and in November we headed up to good ol' Iowa to visit my sister Deb and her family and meet up with my brother Daniel and his family.  I love getting together with family for the holidays! The town where my sister lives is one of my favorite towns.  It's large enough to have everything you need and want, but small enough to feel very homely and neighborly. 

We arrived the night before Thanksgiving--of course I had to stop at Target that night to get Cambell's cream soups for $0.50 each! I helped a little bit that morning/afternoon with keeping the dishes clean and even made some pies. Deb made the dough for the crust, but I did do one batch of pumpkin pie "batter". 


The FEAST!  It was oh so good.  Thanks Deb and Amy!  Before we eat we have a prayer, then we go around the table and each person says three things they are thankful for.  Three kernals of popcorn are placed at each place setting--to represent three things we are thankful for.  I love that part of the Thanksgiving dinner.






See that yummy, yummy pan full of twice-baked potatoes?  One of my favorite things at Thanksgiving!








The aftermath. Elden was napping during the dinner and woke up pretty much when we were all done eating. 


The king of the table, and a little cutie!




I tried out a criss/cross/braiding thing for this apple pie.




The Talent Show!








Of course, the annual Thanksgiving Day Race! IT WAS SO COLD!


And they're off!  And I headed back inside...Paul won the race.


That night we watched Race to Witch Mountain--very fun.  After the movie Lee and I headed to Walmart for the first shopping of Black Friday.  We were gone only an hour.  I updated my budget and went to sleep around 1:30am.  Paul and I got up at 3:40am and took off to Target.  Deb met up with us about 20 minutes later.  Black Friday we went to 15 stores and didn't get home till 4:30pm.  It was so FUN!  I got some great deals, of course, and a little start on Christmas shopping.  I admit, the main reason I wanted to go to Deb's for Thanksgiving was to go shopping with her.  A few years ago when I was pregnant with the twins (and didn't know it quite yet--the twin part that is--I definitely knew I was pregnant and my belly showed it!) Lois and I were at Deb's for Thanksgiving and we went out shopping.  It was a blast.  I knew it would be just the same this year. Shopping with sisters is the best.  The best store that day: Target.  I was at the cash register and had grabbed the wrong toy.  They held my stuff and let me go back and get the right one--I didn't have to wait in line again!  Best buy of the day: My new $2 fleece hat and glove set from Target.  It was C-O-L-D in Iowa and they kept me nice and warm!

The Saturday after Thanksgiving we hung out and took a short trip to the park.  They have a great park just a few blocks away from Deb's house.








I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  We are ever grateful for our many blessings and our wonderful family and friends!