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 2}

I love this picture that Madisyn caught of Lynden and Ellison. They look like they are sharing a secret.

Mom and Robin did a great job organizing everything.

Justin decided that hot dogs weren't cutting it and confiscated Dad's brats. I think they learned that brats don't cook very well over a campfire. Some slightly raw sausage may have been consumed.

The boys had a great time cooking marshmallows. However, I'm pretty sure that more hit the ground or flames than were actually eaten.

This is an example of Mary Claire and Izzy's "direction" of Liberty and Isaac. I heard lots of "sit here", "No, sit down", "You want to stay right there". LOL What would younger kiddos do without older siblings to direct their ways?!?



I added this picture in to show the other side of Mary Claire. That girl has a sassy side. I get this look at least thrice daily. LOL

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 Birthday, Lynden!

Happy Birthday to our "little" cousin.

 You've always been  the life of the party.

You're one of those people who is always in a good mood.

 And a great host.

 There also seems to be great food wherever you go!

So even though we can't be with you on your 3rd birthday, we sent you a little piece of love from us.

We hope the cards and treats help you have a fantastic third birthday!

Happy Birthday to our favorite mad scientist!

Homefest fun

Today we loaded up and headed to Bald Knob for the annual Homefest celebration.

Even though it literally "Rained on our Parade", Liberty enjoyed her first parade experience complete with fire trucks, police cars, Smokey the Bear, a marching band, tractors and horses.

 Four pretty ladies modeled their strawberry outfits donned especially for the occasion.

 Granddaddy found a couple of little girls who were up for some fun!




 In honor of Mother's Day we took Mom out to lunch at the Chinese restaurant.

The boys were a little confused as to what language you might speak in China and kept asking Kent to tell them how to say things like friend, hello and goodbye in Spanish. LOL
 

Today is also National Train Day so we took the train loving boys to visit the depot. The Lionel club had a special display set up.

10 cousins all in a row. How in the world does the photographer for the Duggar Family get them all looking at once?!?

We also got the first picture of all seven of our blessings.