Thanksgiving 2011

This year for Thanksgiving we spent a wonderful dinner with our dear friends the Smiths and the Traylors who were also in town for the Holiday weekend. Its nice that the past several years we have gotten to spend this special time with close friends since we are so rarely together for holidays.

I'm so very thankful this year for the special people God has put into our lives to be our family when we are away from relatives and to share so many special things with. In 2011, five new babies were born within our circle of friends and how blessed have we all been by baby showers and meals delivered and hospital visits from such an amazing support system.

This year I am also so very thankful for our families who love us and support us and always make an extra effort to be present with us even when we're so far away. From cards, gifts and texts being sent all year round, to extra special birthday visits (both Owens & Peytons), it all makes us feel that much closer to one another and we are so grateful.

I tried to ask Owen again this year what he was thankful for but the only response he wanted to give was Transformers :) So this year, Owen is especially thankful for (and obsessed with) Transformers.

Peyton getting dressed for dinner, 

and learning just how exhausting the holidays can be...

Of course, our family pics before leaving the house-

We love the extra down time that comes with the long Thanksgiving weekend and we've always used that as the time to get out Christmas goodies and decorate our tree :-)

And this year we started what I hope will be a new tradition of decorating gingerbread houses! I don't think we did too bad for our very first time :)