With Gratitude

SINCE WE HAVE BEEN MARRIED, I HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SPENDING THANKSGIVING DAY WITH JEFF'S MOM'S SIDE OF THE FAMILY, A TRADITION THEY HAVE KEPT UP SINCE JEFF WAS A CHILD. I HAVE GROWN TO LOVE THIS FAMILY AS MY OWN AND ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SPECIAL DAY TOGETHER. SINCE HAVING CHILDREN, THE DAY HAS BROUGHT US EVEN MORE JOY AS WE ARE ABLE TO WATCH OUR CHILDREN INTERACT WITH EXTENDED FAMILY THAT WE SEE ONLY ONCE A YEAR. THERE IS QUITE A SIGNIFICANT AGE GAP BETWEEN CHARLOTTE AND THE YOUNGEST COUSIN BEFORE HER (12 YEARS), SO THERE ARE MANY EAGER HANDS TO SCOOP UP OUR KIDS AND HELP US ENTERTAIN THEM. WITH MANY OF THE COUSINS BEING YOUNG, PRETTY GIRLS CHARLOTTE WAS ENAMORED WITH ALL OF THE CELL PHONES, JEWELRY, AND LIP GLOSS AT HER DISPOSAL. JOEY QUICKLY PICKED UP ON ALL THE EXTRA LOVE IN THE ROOM AND SPENT HIS DAYS CRAWLING FROM ONE FAMILY MEMBER TO THE NEXT. IT WAS A SWEET TIME.

THERE IS MUCH TO BE GRATEFUL FOR DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. SPECIFICALLY ON THIS DAY I WAS THANKFUL TO BE A PART OF SUCH A LOVING AND GENEROUS FAMILY. I AM BLESSED TO HAVE GROWN UP A BURGER AND AM EQUALLY BLESSED TO NOW BE A LARSON.

AND, ON THIS DAY I AM ESPECIALLY THANKFUL FOR MY BROTHER-IN-LAW, BRAD. THANKSGIVING WAS ALWAYS HIS FAVORITE HOLIDAY, AND I CAN STILL RECALL A SIMPLE REQUEST HE MADE OF ME YEARS AGO - IF AT ALL POSSIBLE TO SPEND EACH THANKSGIVING DAY WITH HIS SIDE OF THE FAMILY. HE CHERISHED RELATIONSHIPS AND HE LOVED SEEING HIS ENTIRE FAMILY TOGETHER. AND, SO I AM HONORED TO SHARE THIS DAY OF GRATITUDE WITH HIS FAMILY. A PROMISE IS A PROMISE.

I MISS YOU, DEAR BROTHER.

OUR LITTLE TURKEYS

GRATEFUL FOR ONE ANOTHER

GETTING HIS FIRST TASTE OF DEEP FRIED BIRD. AFTER A FEW (CAUTIOUS) BITES, HE WAS HOOKED.

BONDING OVER BUBBLING OIL

WHAT A MAN. WHAT A TURKEY.

FORGET THE TURKEY SANDWICH, I'LL TAKE A MOMMY SANDWICH.

CONTEMPLATING GOING DOWN THE STAIRS.

LITTLE BUDDY MADE SOME SIGNFICIANT PROGRESS IN STAIR CLIMBING OVER THE WEEKEND. HE NOW CONFIDENTLY SCALES THE STAIRS WHENEVER THE OPPORTUNITY ARRISES, WHICH IS USUALLY WHEN HIS DADDY FORGETS TO CLOSE THE GATE. :)

WE WERE EVEN ABLE TO SLIP IN A VISIT WITH OUR DEAR FRIENDS, THE HAILAS.
CHAR AND JUDE AT PLAY.

HOME AFTER THE HOLIDAY - A LITTLE RAGGED FROM OUR TRAVELS, BUT STILL QUITE CUTE.

PERHAPS, NOT HER BEST EXPRESSION OF LOVE.

WE PRAY THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAD A BLESSED DAY OF THANKS! AND, AGAIN IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRY A DEEP FRIED BIRD, GET YOUR HANDS ON ONE ASAP!