Thanksgiving in Review

We hosted a small family dinner for Thanksgiving this year, it was cozy and everything I ever could have hoped for. Seeing my family healthy, happy, and united brings a salty little tear to my eye. Thankful does not begin to describe my overwhelming sense of gratitude for the blessings we received during our challenging time this year. Over the course of a three month period we experienced concerning health troubles, job loss, the birth of our dear baby H, two year molars, a new job, moving out of state, losing our family pets, and essentially starting over. There is no denying the amount of crazy that went down in that time frame but I am thankful for the knowledge gained from those experiences. Most importantly, *I* learned what it means to minister within your own community and how to ask for and receive help. Humility is beautiful.

I was so enmeshed in the joy of turkey day and cooking that I failed to take snapshots of our individual dishes but our menu looked something like this:

Thanksgiving 2011

 Greenburg Smoked Turkey

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Sausage apple cranberry dressing

Fresh Corn

Greenbeans from grandpa's garden

Cranberry Compote
Sweet Potato Casserole with Toasted Marshmallows
Homemade Crescent rolls

H takes mashed potatoes seriously

 My brother flew  into town over the holiday, he's a good little brother and I often miss his quiet presence. I don't see him often due to the demands of college on the East Coast and his military career, so our time together is extra special. He got a kick out of being called "Uncle", by his eldest nephew for the first time. Here are some pictures of him on our post turkey walk along the Paducah flood walls.

 

 

3 generations of men; Grandpa, son, grandsons.

Choo-Choo
All Aboard
next stop 
Christmas

2011 First Snow

Western Kentucky's first snow of the Holiday Season didn't wait until December to strike, good thing we rushed out to play because the snow melted off within 2 hours.

Black and White mode on my camera almost made it look like a winter wonderland

Truth be told, is was the most "colorful" snow I've ever experienced. It's like God decided to paint autumn with some powdered sugar.

'A' modeling the new winter coat he picked out. Purple camo accentuated with orange zipper and faux fur rimmed hood keep this toddler warm and stylish.

And of course, no toddler camo winter coat is complete without fireman boots

Baby's first snow

"eh eh oooh ahh"

Ba-by it's cooold outside!

Taking it all in.

Decides to haul neighborhood cat around in the wagon.

Trying to capture the huge chunky flakes. Photo just doesn't do them justice.

In celebration we followed up the snowy morning with an afternoon trip to the library, 22 Christmas books later, and a large peppermint latte from a favorite coffee shop, I think we are officially ready for winter.

Sk8r Mater

This is the tale of Mater, a rusty tow truck mysteriously transplanted from the quiet town of Radiator Springs into the middle of a skate park.

"Hi, I'm mater"

"ZoooOoom"

"Back! Did ya miss me? I'm fast!!"

"Now ya see me!"

"Now ya don't"

"See me!"

"Don't"

"See me!"

"Don't"

 

"Ah shucks, what's that you say? Bored already? I could play this game all day long but I feel like someone is behind me, watchin' me, I'm scared. Ghost light is that you?"

"CARS!!!" 

 *insert grip crescendo music*

"Yes!"

"Yes! Yes! Mater Flies! Mater is a Birdy, Mama"

"Again!"

"Well..uh.. that was fun but I think I'll stick to Tractor tippin'"

"Bye"