Tuesday, December 1, 2009

our thanksgiving, finally

Hello, friends. Sorry for my three (or four depending on how you're counting) day absence. Actually, I'm not super sorry because I've been tired, unpacking and (unsuccessfully) trying to get Jonah back on some sort of schedule. And frankly, I've needed the break. Thanksgiving away from home was GREAT, and I enjoyed having a few days out of our normal routine and with many open arms eager for some Jonah squeezes. He loved all the attention, and I loved getting to read the first half of a book (The Shack). Who knows when I'll get to read the second half, but it was relaxing while it lasted.

Here we are at Granny and Grandaddy's (Matt's parents) in Florence, SC.



There were a TON of people at Gerry and Debbie's, something like 30, so things were crazy, crowded, and wonderful. There were lots of decorations and even more food. There were 13 children with the oldest at the whopping age of EIGHT. I think we would have all lost our minds if Matt's parents hadn't had the ingenious idea of a bouncy castle, complete with tunnel and slide. Seriously, best idea ever. The kids played outside most of the day and had a blast. My guess is they slept very well Thursday night (except for Jonah, of course, because, well, he just doesn't do that). They had to be completely worn out.



Cousin Will (Matt's sister's youngest) enjoyed sliding...


... but was most fond of the dismount (sorry, no picture) in which he jumped off the landing platform onto the entrance platform, ricocheted off back into the landing platform, and then fell face first on the ground. Katherine posted a picture of it, but really, we should have gotten it on video. It was so funny. You know, funny since he didn't break his face or anything.

Cousin Grant (Kim's oldest) preferred the front somersault from the landing platform to the entrance. Safety Police, stop reading now. This is not a post for you.

This photo only gives the appearance of landing on his head. But I'm pretty sure that only happened once or twice.

And this is Cousin Abby. I don't really have anything to say about this photo except that she's so cute I can barely stand it. (Hey, Abby Lu Lu!).


Here are Nathaniel and Nicholas (Katherine's oldest two) with Grant and Abby. This may look like a nice, peaceful picture, but it really took a while to get them to hold still enough to snap this. Another favorite game was leaning forward on this retaining wall, making it topple over, and falling on your face.



Matt and Jonah mostly observed from a safe distance up on the deck.



But, eventually, true to my kind and gentle nature (cough) I kicked off all the little hoodlums and took Jonah in his very first bouncy castle.


We didn't do much bouncing, so much as we just hung on for dear life and tried not to fall over.
He wasn't so sure about it.

Then Daddy took him on the slide.

Dad had a blast.

Jonah - not so much.

And finally, we all went inside for our Thanksgiving lunch. Here are seven of the thirteen. Only three are girls. We are a boy-having family.


And what you've all been waiting for - what I had for lunch.

Sweet Caroline. Carbs topped with meat gravy. Does it get any better? And for dessert: cupcakes for the kids, apple pie, pumpkin pie, German chocolate cake, carrot cake, coconut pie, and pecan pie. There may have been more, but it's hard to see when you are in a food-induced coma. Our turkey was Cajun fried, and it is now a holiday tradition (three years running). So tasty.

And an equally appetizing picture for your viewing pleasure - Deac's lunch.

I know what you're thinking. "Patrice, did he throw up?"

Yes, friends, he did. Right on Granny's carpet. Our bad.

After lunch, Jonah got even more snuggles, this time from Aunt Katherine.

On Saturday (I think) we went for a walk in the neighborhood. Sweet South Carolina sunshine. Notice my jacket hanging on the stroller.



A palm tree or a palmetto tree or something. Some kind of tree we don't see much in NC. Thrilling, I know.

Then it was back to Granny and Grandaddy's for some reading time with Aunt Kim.


Matt's dad's family came on Saturday, and we had another ridiculously huge meal. This time dessert was Magic Cookie Bars and Sopapilla Cheesecake. Once we all recovered from eating way too much, we went outside for a family photo.

There were many other fun things packed into our four day holiday, including a Black Friday super-fun trip to Target, lots of football watching (not by me - don't be silly), and a Dirty Santa ornament exchange.

I loved, loved, loved spending time with family, being out of the house, and celebrating Jonah's first Thanksgiving.

We have MUCH to be thankful for, and meat-gravied carbs definitely make the list.

22 comments:

kimmie said...

I love love Jonah's facial expressions on the inflatable -SO CUTE

~Kimberly (Randolph) Waller

Michael Joseph said...

Can you get the recipe for the cheesecake? that sounds yummy!!! Glad you all were able to have a Great Thanksgiving!! Love the gravy covered carbs!!!

Michael Joseph said...

How did Jonah's eating go?

Unknown said...

Jonah is getting so big and he looks awesome!!!! Great job, Mom & Dad. Thanks for letting us strangers into your lives. I am honored to check up on you three daily :)

Caryn in IL

Laura A said...

Now that is some SERIOUSLY good food! And what a great idea for the bounce house - I bet all those kids slept well. Jonah had the "I don't think this is a good idea" look on his face, didn't he?! His lip looks better, too (not sure if those pics were taken before the ones you posted for his 9-month b-day.)

Anyway, I'm so glad you had such a wonderful time, and am praying you and Jonah will get settled back into a "normal" routine soon! Hope his eating is going well, too - will continue to pray!

Love from TX!
Laura

quackers said...

Jonah is the cutest boy in the world. He has the greatest parents! Loved this happy post!

Katherine @ Grass Stains said...

Um, you cheated. You had something green. I saw the green beans on your plate. MY plate was all yellow and white, AS IT SHOULD BE.

Loved your post ... glad to see pictures that I didn't have on my camera!

Rebekah said...

Ahhh, we mised you and Jonahs sweet face and BEAUTIFUL eyes!! Sheesh, but whats up with the crazy eyes? LOL They crack me up!!!

MommaOf2InME said...

I'm so glad you had a great holiday! You, Matt and Jonah deserve it.

Kim said...

Could you please tell Jonah that eight strangers in Maine love him?

Lizzie said...

I'm so glad Thanksgiving went well and that you gave yourself a well earned break from the blog.

By the way, I love your hair!

Bess said...

Jonah has the cutest baby mohawk I've ever seen! Glad you had a good break!

Jill said...

Oh my Gosh the Shack is now one of my favorite books since I read it!! I LOVE IT! Such a cool concept. It really hits home for anyone who's ever had any kind of tragedy or struggles in their life. I couldn't put it down when I read it and cried like the whole time. :) Oh and you guys should have totally made Turkey Soup with that carcass! Yum!

Charity said...

He is getting so big!!

Meghann said...

So happy to see that sweet Jonah had a great Thanksgiving!
Much love and many prayers.

Nashville TV Show said...

A bounce house for Thanksgiving ... brilliant!!! So glad you guys had a good break! Everyone looks refreshed & revived:)

Jessica said...

So glad Jonah's 1st Thanksgiving was wonderful. I can't wait to see how his 1st Christmas turns out! My youngest will be celebrating his 1st this year too :). Blessings to you all!

Libby said...

Glad to hear you had such a wonderful time! And you DEFINITELY deserved a blogging break!

sharonw05 said...

I am so glad that you guys were able to spend some awesome time with family! I loved the pictures (I took one of a loaded plate, too, LOL). And can you tell me about the adorable silverware holders on the kids table? Are they paper or fabric? Is there a pattern for them somewhere? Thanks for sharing your life with us! {{{hugs}}}

Misty Rice said...

I love his hair and the pictures in bounce house had me cracking up out loud. Too funny.

Erin said...

Thanks for sharing with us, I just love the pics, his expressions just make me laugh. Glad that your family had a wonderful time. I'm telling you the more pics I see the more the little man just looks like you.

Unknown said...

HappY Thanksgiving!! It sure looks like you all had a fun food filled weekend, just as it should be :)

I would love the recipe for that cheesecake. Did you make it or someone else? Do you think they would share? It sounds delicious.

Keeping Jonah in our prayers and special prayers for his sore lip and quick healing for that.

Blessings, Mari