Thanks Momma!

My mom came to visit this past week, and we loved having our Nana here! We spent a lot of time at home reading books, watching movies, and playing with the kids. For a special treat we took the kids to the new train exhibit at the children's museum.

 Grant, my little guy whose world revolves around trains, was in heaven.

Kimball had the camera with him at the museum, and he took about 40 pictures in the train exhibit. Here's one he took of me and my momma.

My kids made a "house" outside in our yard among the trees and pine needles. They invited Nana and me to have dinner (leaves and berries) with them. I sure love that my kids can play outside here even in December. :)

Kimball had a country project due this week, and since he was reporting on Japan (where my parents served a mission), it was really cool for him that Nana could come watch him. He told me, "I was nervous for like 4 minutes, then the rest of the time I was up there in front of my class it was pretty fun."

I hated to put my mom on that airplane on Monday. I'm so thankful we got to have her here for a few days!

So much to be thankful for...

I hosted my very first Thanksgiving dinner this year--and cooked my first turkey. It was a big undertaking for me, but it all turned out great. We had a fun group of friends over: the Vances, the Kuettels, the Burgons, and the Annisons. 

As was tradition in my house growing up, everyone had to make a Thankful Turkey before we could eat. :)

The guys watched some football and did a lot of dishes. The kids ran around--inside and outside--and got along great together. We all played some dodgeball, laughed and talked, and ate awesome food and pies. Although we missed our families back home, Thanksgiving 2011 was a happy one here in NC.