Thanksgiving

Well, we were down a couple of people this Thanksgiving due to sickness. The original plan was to visit at (Jason's family) Nancy and Bart's house on Thanksgiving morning (with appetizers), come home for Daphne's nap, and go to Pops and Mimi's house for our Thanksgiving meal. Then, Daphne came down with a fever (just a cold, a low-grade fever, but still) on Wednesday night, and ended up having it Thursday and Friday, also. So I stayed home with her in the morning, and Jason stayed home with her in the afternoon. We wished we didn't have to split up, but at the same time, I was grateful that we had never in 8 years had a sick kid on Thanksgiving until now!

Thanksgiving morning (photos from Mike and Jason):

All the 2nd cousins: Anna (11), Jett (1 - his brother Mac, 3yo, was home sick too), Renee (9), Meredith, Russell, Paige.

Apparently, Bart's friend (who was at Thanksgiving) has an old Army humvee and all the kids toured it:

Thanksgiving afternoon/evening:

Aunt Jane and Uncle Randy came (on their way to Richmond!)

Manly oven work?

First year my kids have EATEN and ENJOYED Thanksgiving food! I feel like my hard work to make non-picky eaters is paying off :)

Mimi asked us to bring a centerpiece, so we brought our Thankful Tree. We make a thankful tree each year, and it's a highlight of the Thanksgiving season. Each day, we take a paper leaf, and each person says one (new/different) thing that they're thankful for. We include anyone who's eating with us that night. It's a special tradition. (Note: that is NOT our "new baby" on the front top leaf, in case there are any questions!)

1 Thess. 5:16-18: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.