Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving 2011

• 11.29.2011

We look forward to the Holiday Season all year long.  We look forward to spending time with family.  We look forward to rich foods and fun traditions.  Holidays with family are often loud and busy and we sacrifice a few hours of sleep because, well, it's the Holidays and the memories are worth it.  Holidays and family, food and traditions (coupled with a little chaos) just go together like the stripes on a candy cane.  A candy cane wouldn't be a candy cane without its stripes, and neither would an end of year holiday be totally complete without family, food, and tradition.   

And even though we've been looking forward to Thanksgiving for weeks, isn't it funny how when the weekend is done and over we can't wait to sleep in our own beds in the quiet familiarity of our own home?  Isn't it funny how we crave our mundane routine again?  In a few weeks, however, we'll be ready to do it all over again because well, it's the Holidays.  Those memories I made as a child with my aunts and uncles and cousins?  They still bring a smile to my eyes and warmth to my heart.  And so indeed, the tradition must go on!   

These are this year's memoirs: 

We had our first real house guests last week.  Bron's brother, Tyrel, and his family stayed a night in our new home.  I was a nervous wreck.  My brand new home was invaded by six boys under the age of seven!  I just wasn't quite equipped to handle the brood!  But we got them calmed down with an episode of Elmo.  Just what is it about Elmo that kids love so much?  

 Micah, Wesley, Garrison, Jed, and Jaden

Our little family of three spent Thanksgiving at the Nelson home in Ririe, Idaho.  It was a delicious meal!  Later that evening, we all headed to Rexburg to enjoy dessert with Bron's aunts, uncles, and cousins.  We ate pie, pie, and more pie!  The older cousins played with the babies while the adults talked and laughed and talked some more.  It was so good to see everyone!

 Ridge is Jed's new favorite person.  Leah loved being the center of attention.  NaKya loved Leah.  

I loved that delicious pie.  And Talon loves his wife.

The next morning we women went SHOPPING!!!  We didn't leave the house until 7:00AM and were still able to purchase everything on our list... plus some!  Amber and Merri Sue bought some adorable pairs of boots for themselves and I bought myself a cute pea coat for 1/3 the normal price!  (Aren't we a horrible influence on each other?)  Then we went out to lunch.  Yeah, shopping with the girls pretty much took the cake this weekend.

Later Friday afternoon, we met up with the extended family for a traditional annual game of bowling!  It was a riot with everyone there.  Then we Nelson "kids" ate dinner at Fong's. 

 Even Jed got into it.  It was his first experience bowling!

 Yum!  Yum!  Fooood!!!  The boys cleaned their plates.

Brothers Garret, Call, and Kaleb

A New Game:

"Jed, where is your nose?"

"Where are your ears?"

"Where is your TONGUE?"

Saturday we took family pictures and finished the day off with a baby shower for DeAnn.  She has six boys and is finally expecting a girl!  Amber and I couldn't resist the opportunity to celebrate with DeAnn.  All of the female members of Bron's extended family showed up.  It was a noisy and crazy party!  We laughed A. LOT.  Better yet, I don't think DeAnn ever quit smiling. 

Really, I promise, it was a more civilized party than it looks!  Haha!

Finally, last but certainly not least, we wrapped the weekend up by hearing {Elder} Garret Nelson give a talk in church.  Then the entire family came back to Momma Nelson's house for lunch and to gab, gab, gab some more.  I guess we didn't get enough socializing in all weekend!  I honestly don't know how that woman does it; Merri Sue hosts and entertains so well.  I am in awe.

Three words to sum up our Thanksgiving weekend: Busy and Fun! 

P.S.

Grandma Nelson had a Christmas surprise for all her grandchildren one night too: Christmas Pajamas!!!  They were super cute by themselves, but even more adorable when all the grandchildren were together!  I can't wait until Christmas!