Thanksgiving Holiday

We spent our Thanksgiving holiday in Dallas this year. The morning began with the Dallas Turkey Trot where Lesley, Andy, Jkon, Landon, Lauren, and I ran 8 miles to compensate for all the calories we'd be consuming later! Trot was just about right since I definitely did not race and I must admit--it was nice!!

 And let me admit (while I am at it) that I aspire to be able to roast a turkey, bake a perfect sweet potato casserole, and acquire the patience to chop up the necessary veggies for the dressing like my Momma and Aunt Susan do every  year. The food was delicious! I don't know if I have it in me but I suppose the years will see.

And below are a flurry of pictures to try and capture the chaotic, yet joyful, day.

The kids table with all the little cousins. It doesn't seem like such a long time ago that I sat here. Laney looking over her shoulder reminds me of a picture we have somewhere of me at Thanksgiving at my Rangy's. Then there is Matthew sitting with all the kiddos; go figure.

 Everyone eating the grub! And Lesley's sweet sweet friend,Jessica Konvicka, was able to spend Thanksgiving with us.

The twins--Lily and Katie and my twin cousin (same birthday people!) too!

I almost forgot--but Landry had a rash on her face when we were in Dallas.We aren't sure what caused it but she kept getting little hives all over her face. You can kind of tell in the picture below.

 A big group hug from my Uncle Rob...

My sweet Paw Paw...

 Most of us grabbed a quick picture with Paw Paw and the crew of Berg's. I love the imperfectness of this picture and all of the people in it.

2nd Thanksgiving Program

Laney had her 2nd Thanksgiving Program this year at AHUMC as a pilgrim. She was too cute. I didn't take many pictures but a video instead. She really loves dancing and I caught it all on tape!

They sang the song "Any Turkey Can Tango" and "God Bless America."

The Crowell's came to watch this year too.

It is hard to see her turkey but on the things she is thankful for:

Friends
Pumpaw
Landry
Mommy and Daddy

Thankful For All

Thanksgiving, what a wonderful day set aside to remember everything we have and how blessed we truly are. We spent our Thanksgiving Day with the Crowell's in Austin. We enjoyed all the usual foods and football banter on this day. Gig Em Aggies!

Thanksgiving treats and Landry got to have her first bites of yummy holiday food.

What a day. We all drove to Austin with Matthew's Aunt, Clairlene, and Paw Paw and B (Richard and Virginia), the girls, M, and myself. The car ride was actually a really good time and memorable.

As we were in Austin, Matthew and I were outside discussing a car situation we had the day before. Well, I'd had a flat tire on my way to Llano from Austin and was going back into work on Friday. Thus, we had to figure out a way to get it fixed before heading back to SA. As we all know, life has a way of presenting situations that test us at inopportune times.

To get to the point, we were outside discussing this hectic situation and both had moodiness stirring. Suddenly a lot of leaves from the trees started scattering colorfully from the trees. It was beautiful! I said without thinking " I wonder if this is the front we are expecting" and with in the sentence we felt the cold chill of the winter air drop ten degrees. It was with in these seconds amazing and one of those moments one doesn't forget. We kind of forgot the situation at hand and I grabbed Matthew happily and blurted out laughing "we had a moment! It's Thanksgiving and we were given a moment!"

I think, next to my family of course, it's lifes small gifts we get throughout the days we live that I'm most thankful for. The tiny things that we need in this life and God allows us to have. These constant reminders that life is truly beautiful and little slots of time we experience from moment to moment so that we can exist in the real world.

And Thanksgiving Day my girls were playful and energetic. The entertainment of the day seemed to be Landry attacking and tickling Laney. Pictures can't hardly capture it all but I did my best.

Any Turkey Can Tango!

 We had Laney's Thanksgiving Feast and Festival last week. She had been practicing her songs around the house for quite some time. Thus, I was eager to see what the fuss was about. I had no clue what "any turkey tango" was as she waltzed through the kitchen with a pretend fan in her hand.
Here she is enjoying her Feast!



Her teacher (whom we love!) told me they had to move Laney to the front because she was so into the songs. Usually only the preschoolers participate but Laney's class got to be part of the program this year.

How it cracks me up how outgoing she is when it comes to music and dancing. Definetely not like her Momma in this arena!

The minute she spotted us a smile quickly spread across her face. She was coordinated and in sync with the sign language and everything! I could not have been more proud of my little pilgrim.



Adorable and sweet these moments are. I truly believe, as I get older, that the best years just keep coming! I love the excitement I feel going to watch my children live their life and grow into their personalities.



Truly, and according to Laney--All we really need is a song in our heart, food in our belly, and the love of our Family!