Our Thanksgiving celebration

Aunt Lo-Lo drove in Thursday night and we planned to do a little Black Friday shopping. Ella Grace said she wanted to go with us (year 3, I believe). She went to bed earlier and we woke her up about 10:30pm to get going. We did a little shopping at Wal-Mart and Target in the Gardendale/Fultondale area then headed to the Galleria. To me, it just wasn't the same - I enjoy being in the crowds and the festive atmosphere that the day/early morning holds. But, shopping some Thursday night just didn't feel the same.

We got home around 6:15 and Lori and I went straight to bed. Ella Grace, though, thought she could stay up. When I got up & showered, Jeremy and I went into "town" and I got a sewing machine! So excited!

MeeMaw, Aunt Glenda and Aunt Sherry (my dad's side) came up and visited with us. Granny rode up with them, too. It was SO nice to see them all.

After MeeMaw, Sherry & Glenda headed back home, Gran headed straight for the tunnel!




That's one spunky lady, right here!

And it wasn't long before Ella Grace got in trouble - right before we ate. I put her in timeout and it wasn't long before she found our elf (Chuluota Toot-toot) hiding in the tree next to her rocking chair. Not too much time passed before this what I went back to see.
One exhausted five year old. She really didn't budge the rest of the night except for forcing her to eat a little food (which she didn't remember the next day) and getting her to bed.

Here, Major was so excited to see our elf!
We relaxed and just enjoyed each other's company for the rest of the day!

Our fun Thanksgiving Day

Our 2011 Thanksgiving was spent a little differently than in year's past. We had a yummy breakfast with Grandmother and Grandaddy, and then headed over to visit with Nana & Pop. This was our first visit with them on this trip. Nana had gotten a few new toys and, to say my kids were excited was an understatement.

They called this particular toy the "roller coaster" - and they had many turns on this. Ella Grace even took Holly for a turn.

Major had to try something new -

And then down the driveway (which is a roller coaster of itself).
We talked aboutmaking a fire, and it is hard to make a fire without firewood. Dad & Jeremy are hard at work trying to get a few pieces to get one started later in the afternoon.
Back to the toys, these are the motorcycles! ha! Ella Grace & Pop work to get them started.


The pink one just wasn't feeling it...
Major just took off on his - Pop kept telling him to slow down!


Here, Ella Grace demonstrates how you can also pull a baby carriage with it.
Please, do not try this with real infants.
The fire was a success. But, what is a fire without roasted marshmallows? So, we did it right!

In all the travel and commotion, I never did take a look at all the fun things Ella Grace made at school for Thanksgiving. Below, she (aka "Little Purple" - her Indian name) shows off her headdress, vest, camouflaged turkey, handprints, a napkin from her Thanksgiving treats at school, a picture of her jumping out of a pumpkin, and her "How to Cook a Turkey" page & "I am Thankful for..." page. Hopefully, I will get those up later.
There was no turkey and dressing on this Thanksgiving Day. But, we did get to visit with both of our parents and I think we were most thankful for this this time more than anything!

We are thankful for...

For the last few days Ella Grace and Major have been bringing home all sorts of Thanksgiving crafts...some pumpkins, turkeys, colorings of families eating Thanksgiving dinners. Jeremy & I have been discussing with them different things we are thankful for - our home, our food, our car (to which Ella Grace just laughed).
Heather made a great list of some of the things she is thankful for and I wanted to share some of the blessings I am thankful for:

1. Definitely my God that promises He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
2. My wonderful husband. Jeremy is so supportive of me in all I do - work, school, etc.
3. Ella Grace - I love her heart and her desire to be a "leader". I love to listen to her talk and act like such a big girl!
4. Major - what a sweet, sweet little boy. He's definitely a momma's boy and I could definitely hold him all day long if I didn't have anything else to do!
5. A job that allows me to assist in providing for our family.
6. Two cars that are paid for and are dependable.
7. Our church family and the wonderful friends we have to fellowship with and the support system they provide.
8. The opportunity to go back to school. As hard as the last year and a half have been, I know God allowed me to do this for a reason and I am thankful for what he has in store.
9. Hope. Hope that God will see me through any obstacle put before me and my family. God is so good and has been our Rock this year.
10. A family that loves all of us, despite our shortfalls, that is there to help us when we need it.
11. Jeremy's job. Though he has to work some long hours at times, we are thankful for all it provides.
12. Health. We have been really fortunate to be in good health. Other than Major's asthma and the coughs, colds and allergies that seem to stay at our house, these minor things typically don't slow us down.
13. Ella Grace and Major's teachers at school and church. We are so lucky to have them in a great school and teachers that love on them when they are there and at church. I love how Ella Grace asks "Whose class am I in, Momma?"
14. Food. As we begin to prepare things for Thanksgiving, school and work functions, we are so lucky to have food and have choices of the food we will eat and decide when we will eat it.
15. My marriage. I am thankful that Jeremy & I have a strong marriage.
16. Our country - we can worship our God freely!
17. My cell phone. What a piece of technology that I am too attached to, but I am thankful for the way it makes me feel secure and keeps me connected to my family!
18. Clothes. As I sit here and stare at the pile of clothes laying in my living room and packed for Thanksgiving travel, I am thankful that my clothes are clean.
19. My washer and dryer. Bless 'em!
20. Christian music - I get hooked on some singers or songs and listen over and over...Ella Grace and Major can even pick out their music!