Thanksgiving with the family, part 1

This verse has resonated with me this past week.  I read it in my devotions one morning, our pastor said it in his sermon, and it was in my Sunday school lesson with my 2-3 year olds.  God IS GOOD.  He is worthy of our thanks and our praise!  Always!

We had not planned on going out of town for Thanksgiving.  We had other plans, but those plans fell through.  Our son and daughter encouraged us to go to Arkansas so that's what we ended up doing and we are so glad we did!  We rode down with Jill's family.

The last time we went to Arkansas, there was so much construction that we 

decided to take the Tulsa route.  We always turn at Tontitown to head to the kids' house.  But Google Maps gave another alternative that was quite an adventure!

The grandchildren had so much fun together!

Father/son making dinner

Sneaking a bite of carmel apple pie the day before Thanksgiving.

On Thanksgiving Day, the kids watched "Elf" in anticipation of what comes after the Thanksgiving holiday!

 Making Thanksgiving dinner name place cards.

 

Carving the turkey

Ham too!

 
                                Staci's parents joined us!
Kids table.

Sophia:  This meal is a work of art!

Adult table

We had LOTS of dessert.  Emeri decorated this Thanksgiving chocolate cake.  Sooo moist and good!

After dinner, Dan took us on a hayrack ride.

When it got dark, we headed for downtown Fayetteville to see the lights. 

 

  

 

And the youngest got to visit with Santa.

"Is this beard real?"

The following day was Black Friday.  I am not one to shop in crowds - at all!!  And these two did their shopping on-line.  Got some pretty good deals!

Thankful for our Thanksgiving and especially for the One Who came for us in that manger.

Christmas decorating will begin soon!

Adam's birthday

Adam and Jill went to Wichita on a birthday date for Adam's birthday.  The kids came here.  We had a full day!  First we went to Walmart and helped the kids find Christmas presents for their parents.  When we got home, they wrapped them up and hid them under the bed in the basement.  

"It's a secret!  Don't tell your parents!  We will hide them under your tree when your mommy puts it up!" we told them.

                                  Lunch time fun

 ketchup and mustard beard  - her main dish was not on the plate yet

Claire wanted some seaweed.

She invented a new sushii.

Mac and cheese wrapped with nori (seaweed)

She "yuved" it!

Hide-n-seek! 

Hannah decorated for the party

 

Sophia and Claire helped with Adam's favorite meal - bbq meatballs

 

Homework with Papa 

 Artist at work  -
teeny tiny google eyes on her sunset   ("God's eyes are always watching" Claire said)

 Baseball   (ball is mid air)

I just noticed the leaves on the tree by Al.  Yesterday there were still about half the leaves on.  But the wind blew and blew and blew and today they are almost all gone and looks like the leaves blew into the next county!

We took a walk to the woods

No, Papa!! 

Light sabers! 

When we got home, we got ready for the birthday boy to come home.

A delicious dinner followed by the party. 

 Happy birthday, Adam!

And evidently, a certain 4-year-old couldn't keep the secret about the 

Christmas gifts and showed her daddy what she got him!  Ha!!