Thanksgiving Feast

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving THREE times! I didn't manage to get pictures at two of the parties so shots from just one will have to do. My sister hosted Thanksgiving and did a fantastic job on decorations. She not only had a kids table but had a girls and boys table.

A bunch of little girly girls loved sitting with each other and the boys had a wonderful time coloring their placemats and tablecloth. The boy table was surprisingly quieter and had much less giggling.

Madisyn and Ty were promoted to the adult table. I'm still trying to keep it from going to their heads. ;) I didn't think to get a picture of all the wonderful food. The kids really enjoyed having turkey and ham. And we won't even mention how many desserts we had!

Felicity was worn out from traveling and the effects of Tryptophan. She found Aunt Ra's couch to be a great place for a nap.

The giggling girls didn't stop when lunch was over. They found lots of babies that needed loving, dress up clothes that needed wearing and food that needed cooking.

Then the dads {and me!} loaded up in the Rangers/4 wheelers and headed for the golf course?!? Robin's subdivision has a golf course layout that isn't being used. If you follow the cart path to the edge you find an awesome wooded area perfect for some mudding.

Those smiles lasted a long time! The kids loved getting a little dirty and their daddies slinging some mud.

Raegen has his own little 4 wheeler and some boys were impressed that he got to drive himself. He did a great job!

Isaac and Uncle Justin served as scouts. They helped us find which way to go when the side by side trucks couldn't fit through narrow openings.

The stairs seemed like the perfect place for a "Baker's Dozen Cousins" photo shoot. Getting 13 kids to look at a camera isn't as easy as it sounds!

Thanks Aunt Ra, Uncle Billy, Raegen, Lynden and Ellison for having us over!

Over the River and Through the Woods

We traveled to Mom and Dad's for a celebration just before Christmas. We had been sick around Mary Claire's birthday so she started the day off opening some belated birthday gifts.

The kids all lined up and the gift opening started in a nice organized fashion. With 12 kids, including 9 aged 6 and under, the calm didn't last long.

Our first three boys loved tractors but really weren't into characters. Henry, on the other hand, has loved Thomas since he could say the word train. If you ever find the need to bribe him, anything Thomas will get the job done.

Radio Control toys were the highlight of the day. Some of the younger boys received radio control trucks and the older boys opened RC helicopters. Uncle Billy had to make a battery run as the battery supply was quickly depleted.

Madisyn was thoroughly excited to get a bean bag for her room. She loves to read and is very glad to have somewhere other than her bed to sit.

Henry, Ben and Mary Claire also received snuggies. Henry's is a Superman and Ben is Batman. They both run through the house fighting crime on a nightly basis.

Mary Claire and Liberty received a joint gift - their first car! They love it! The first couple of days it was in the house and Mary Claire was quick to institute a "No Boys" rule because they aren't "wittle like me" according to Mary Claire.

Mom and Dad with their dozen grandkids! Good thing There's Room For More!

Thanksgiving Weenie Roast {Part 1}

This year we decided to do something a little different for Thanksgiving with my side of the family.

A few of the kids were sick a few weeks ago so we didn't get together for Ty or Mom's birthday so we started the evening with birthday gifts.

Mammie had lots of help getting her gifts open. It's just one of the services that grandchildren can provide.

After the gifts, we began the main event. . .  The Weenie Roast!

Yes, we had a weenie roast instead of a traditional Thanksgiving. Chalk up to one very pregnant woman, a upcoming vacation for the grandparents and a very busy family.

Mom and Robin made some chili to compliment the hot dogs and Robin set out an awesome S'mores bar.

The kids had a great time playing. Izzy and Mary Claire played together the whole night. Mary Claire is finally old enough to not be a "baby" and interact a little more and the two of them had a blast. The seemed to bond over the fact that they were both excellent at telling their little brother/sister what to do!

One of Ellison's favorite spots seemed to be snuggling with Mammie.

Happy 4th Birthday, Izzy!

 We can't believe it's been four years since we got our first girl cousin!

Four years later, you are a beautiful outgoing little girl.

Izzy's party was last weekend and we were lucky enough to attend. Henry and Mary Claire had a great time in the bounce house and slide.

Each one of them would get to the top, slide down and then yell, "See how fast I went!" They had a fantastic time!

Kristen always plans the best parties and has a large turnout. She and Justin are blessed with lots of wonderful friends.

Big sister Madisyn came to the party because she wanted to see Izzy on her big day. Madisyn was such a great sport and played with Henry and Mary Claire. They are very blessed to have a great big sister!

A highlight of the party for Mary Claire was the Cinderella cut-out.

 Cinderella Mary Claire

 Cinderella Izzy



 

The Lord has sure blessed my brother with a lovely family. Isaac favors his Daddy and Granddaddy very much.

 

 

Before we left the kids were able to decorate Cinderella carriages (pumpkins). Henry took the job of covering his carriage with boy stickers very seriously.

 

Happy Birthday, Izzy and thanks for inviting us to your awesome party!

Christmas #1

The Saturday before Christmas, Mary Claire made her big debut and met her cousins. We met at Mom and Dad's to celebrate Christmas.

Henry needed a little help opening gifts. I think by the time we were done he was starting to get the hang of it.

It can be a little chaotic when 17 people are involved!

Izzy was completely decked out in Christmas cheer. I loved her glittery shoes and tutu!

We decided not to exchange gifts among adults this year but the kids helped me make a photo calendar for the grandparents. Right now, all of their grandchildren have been born in a different month.

Mimi also got a laptop sleeve monogrammed just for her.

Aunt Robin and Raegen checked out the calendar as well.

Granddaddy had a good time snuggling the newest member of the family.

After opening gifts and eating lunch, the kids decorated a gingerbread house. I think it's becoming a tradition. Next year we might have to make it a gingerbread village as I'm sure Henry and Izzy (and possibly Lynden) won't be happy to just sit and watch.

I think half the candy ended up in bellies as opposed to the house.

These two were pretty good at sneaking candy!

Izzy was smart enough to avoid the hard, stale gingerbread house candy. I'm sure she was thinking "silly boys". LOL

After the gingerbread house, we visited Grandmother Sansoucie (Mom's mom). I think they nursing home was a bit overwhelmed with the sudden arrival of 6 children.