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!

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.

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.

Thanksgiving

This year we had 3 Thanksgivings. First we headed to Mom and Dad's. We had a great time eating with cousins . . .

and Aunts and Uncles.

Afterwards we headed to Searcy and checked out the Christmas lights.

When Thanksgiving day actually rolled around the only cooking I did was keeping Mary Claire in the oven. ;-) We had a very relaxing day of watching movies and snacking.

Thanksgiving number 3 included friends that are like family. Madisyn and Clara Beth posed in their matching turkey dresses. She's very excited to have a little sister to dress alike now.

Henry was thinking he could get used to eating homemade Mac and Cheese and ham on a weekly basis.

Giddy Up!

Nothing like a good book to end the evening.

Richardson Christmas

The whole crew. Boy! Our family is growing.

We had our family Christmas the weekend before the big day (we decided this year to pick a time for every Christmas from here on out, no more trying to figure out when to have it and I'm sooooooooooooooooooooo glad.) . It was a beautiful day and we had a great time.

Madisyn decided Raegen needed help opening his gifts and I think he took a little offense to that. LOL He might be a *baby* as far as she's concerned but he's about to be a big brother. :)

This is what Henry looked like for most of the day. I was looking back through old blog posts and discovered that I used to brag about how content and laid back Ben was. I sure hope Henry stays this way. HA!

I thought this was a funny picture. You think we like to preserve memories around here? What you can't see is Billy and Justin using their camcorders.

I loved this shot because everyone knows that once you become a parent/grandparent, you can't do anything without help. Four of Mimi's grandchildren thought she needed some assistance. LOL

Henry was a great little gift. I think he enjoyed the bow more than anything!

The girls. Madisyn is so excited to have a little girl to love on.