Please, don't pass the turkey!

I hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am still full, how about you? I don't care to see another turkey for at least another...oh I don't know...3 hours. I'm kidding, salsa and queso is starting to sound good. We had a great time with Mr. Incredible's family. My mother-in-law's home was filled to the brim with joy and laughter. If I counted correctly, there were 45 1/2 people (one little blessing named Addison to be born in 6 weeks). Of the 45, 19 were children.

Some of the Houston crew came in this year and we enjoyed visiting with them so much. We only see each other every other year. Little Violet, who is a year old, was one of the stars of the evening. She has curls in the back of her sweet little head, just like my Hannah had. Violet wore the cutest little hot pink outfit with ruffles, bows, a pacifier and holder with rhinestones, and shoes that squeaked when she walked. She loved all of the attention.

I had fun holding baby Wesley who is only a few months old. He went to sleep in my arms and I loved every minute. Sweet baby smells...tiny fingers and toes....makes my heart long a little. It seems like yesterday that my girls were that tiny.

I had fun with 2 little cousins named Chandler and Trinady. They wanted to play monkey in the middle with me (we use to call it Keep Away back in the good ol' days). They laughed and giggled until all three of us were worn out. The absolute funniest was when Chandler caught glimpses of himself in the mirror. He had to strike a cool pose every time and flex his muscles.

We had a delicious Thanksgiving dinner together and then it was time for Christmas. Since the Houston group can only come every other year, we celebrate Christmas early with them. All the adults bring gifts to exchange white elephant style. No one ever wants to receive the dreaded Santa drawers; they have been passed around for several years now.

All of the aunts buy gifts for the children. My girls were blessed with these cute slippers:

Aren't they cute? The also were given matching pajamas.

It was a fun night. When we got home we continued one of our silly family traditions by watching...."Christmas Vacation." Oh, how I heart that movie. We will try to watch Elf together this weekend and finish the Hallmark movie, "A Christmas Card."

Mom and I have a tradition of shopping the day after Thanksgiving. We don't start at 4 but we are usually at the stores by 9. It's kind of our retail therapy ministry of sorts. We have such a blast together that everyone seems to notice us as we shop. Because they are...well... a bit grumpy around this time. The checkout people are always glad to see us. We try to encourage them to hang in there and they look at us like we are a warm drink of chocolatey goodness on a cold winter morning.

But, this year Mom has to work! Bah humbug! Yes, we are thankful for her job, but selfishly I am missing her today. I will be home writing yet another research paper, which is really where I need to be, but it isn't fun...it stinks! Yes, I know I am clearly 3 years old right now!

If you go shopping, let me know what great deals you find so I will feel like I was still a part of the frenzy of shopping the day after Thanksgiving. I will still be here in my robe and pajamas, sipping hot cider and trying to avoid writing my paper.

Joyfully,

Kristi