Turkey Day

It was really nice spending Thanksgiving with my family in Alabama this year. We were able to see ALL of my family. Even though there aren't the many of us, we are pretty spread out - coming from Florida, Minnesota, and Michigan. It was good to get everyone together for the second time this year though. (Everyone, except for my grandmother, had been up for Ben's graduation in June.) There aren't that many of us. Here's the rundown. My Mom is an only child and her father is still in amazing shape for his 86 years young. My Dad has one brother, who has a wife and no children, and a mother, who is also running pretty strong and sassy in her 80's too. Then, I have a younger sister who isn't even dating currently. So, for those that are counting, that comes to 11 people in my extended family, including Ben, me, and the kids. Not so big, huh? Compared to Ben's family, it is kinda laughable. His family is so huge!! Just in his immediate family is 10 people and then we starting counting his parents parents, siblings, and their children (and grandchildren) and you are talking almost 60 people! Amazing... it was definitely a culture shock when I went to the first family reunion. [Man, that was quite a tangent.] Anywho...

All 11 members of my family

So, since the last time I've been down to my parents house, they have finished a "bonus" room over the garage that was absolutely perfect for Ben, the kids, and I. It allowed us a space to get away to and put the kids down for naps and bedtimes that was quiet. It also allowed us a space to be loud in the morning where we didn't disturb everyone else that was sleeping. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

When my parents moved into their "retirement house", I think they never expected to have my grandmother and grandfather moving onto their road too. Now they have one living on either side of them (one right next door and the other a few houses down). They seem to handle living close together fairly well though. I think they get together about once a week for dinner. My Mom has said that it is nice to have them close for when they need to get to them quick though (i.e., my grandfather has needed to go to the hospital 3 times within the last 6 months). Truly, it makes it much easier for us, because when we want to see family, most times we can just fly to Alabama and get to see everyone. I'm glad we were able to get down to see them and have them see us. It made the trip all that much better. It is sad to say, but at their age, you just don't know when it will be the last time that we will be able to hug their necks and say "I love you". I tried to let them both have some quality time with their only great-grandchildren too. I hope that I will be able to take them back down this summer too.

This is my aunt walking us out after visiting my grandmother's house.

All and all, Thanksgiving was a wonderful time of rest, food, family, and more food. The kids were amazing on the flights down and back. Madelyn was very interested in the safety card on one of the flights back. She kept herself and her daddy entertained for at least 45 minutes looking at the pictures and asking "what are they doing here?" It was very cute. Greyson has learned to smile and get smiles back from just about anybody, even the stoic businessmen. Yet, he still VERY much a momma's boy. He isn't really interested in leaving my arms. To tell you the truth, I enjoy it most of the time...

Oh yeah, an update on the laptop addiction. Soon after my previous post, Ben and I decided to buy a laptop as a big 9th anniversary and Christmas present to each other. So, really no withdrawl ensued. Although, I did go buy some swedish fish anyway.