Thanksgiving - part 4 - GDB's House

Every year I try to tell myself to pace myself at all of our family meal gatherings...and every year I fail miserably.  Here is why...



A counter top full of casseroles...another counter top full of meats...and then these countertops were replaced with a countertop full of desserts. Too hard to resist. But oh so good!

We are spoiled when it comes to how we eat while traveling...so here is a great big THANK YOU to each of you that either hosts us or takes us out to eat and for just being available and willing to make your schedules flexible to our whirlwind travels. While it is always an exhausting trip...we always come home with wonderful memories and lots of laughs...and we are always excited to return...after a few months of recovery. Ha!

Now back to the recap...this was our last stop...and it was the first time we had done a big meal at my granddaddy's house in several years. He is 99!!! (will be 100 in May) and we had a crowd of 17 at his house for Thanksgiving.



(my mom and Granddaddy)

Such a special day...and so many memories...so please indulge me in a trip down memory lane with these pictures...

Here is my mom at work in my grandmother's kitchen...she won't be happy with me posting this one...but I really like it. :)



This is my grandparent's basement...we spent countless hours down here as kids.



Family ping pong tournaments...and lots of pool...and there is an old timey record player that we all enjoyed...lots of puppet shows...and entertainment shows we created and then performed for the parents...and a really scary dark hall on the way to the bathroom...and the skittles table (see below)...



We recreated some old pictures...check out this trio...that is me on the left, my cousin Joanie in the middle, and my cousin Chuck on the right. Chuck and I are just a month apart in age...but he has ALWAYS been taller than me. And always will be.



We took several pics in front of this turquoise wall mural to see how much we grew each year...and we decided to do it again this year!

Chuck and me 30 years later! (Joanie was with us too...can't believe we didn't get her picture too!)



And I couldn't resist getting pictures of my boys too!



My granddaddy is such a special man and I am so thankful for each visit with him!

Thanksgiving - part 3 - fun in B'ham

We spent several days in Birmingham and were able to visit with lots of family and friends...

This pic was taken at the zoo...and was taken pre-Iron Bowl. That is Carter and Ben with Aubie and my dad with Big Al. As much as my dad tried to convince them to come to the "other side" our boys wouldn't budge. Made mama proud.



Fast forward a week to Iron Bowl time and Carter was happy to switch sides to Alabama because "they have lots more points, Mommy" True, true. And so sad. But we will be back. I am sure of it. :)

We also had more time with the cousins...there was lots of light saber fighting...



Cadillac rides...



And a very young four-wheeler driver



Robert enjoyed reading to the younger ones...



We visited playgrounds with Granddaddy...



Visited one of my favorite spots. :)



I had girls night with some great high school friends...



And college friends...



We visited the library...



Enjoyed more 70 degree November weather!



And finished our time in Bham with dinner at the boys' favorite place with Granddaddy and GG!



We also fit in a Thanksgiving morning brunch with Mimi and the cousins...but sadly we were too busy eating to take any pictures.

Next up...our time at Gram's house!

Thanksgiving - part 2 - Gramma's House

On Tuesday we all headed to Gramma's house (Adam's dad's mom).  She lives on a farm in Alabama and the weather could not have been more perfect for little boys to explore, to play a game of chase in the yard, and to walk off just a little of all the yummy goodness we enjoyed at lunch time.  Seriously, Gramma knows how to put together an incredible spread - it was delicious!

Here are some highlights from the day...

There were four-wheeler rides...





Sweet Camille was all smiles...and then slept right through lunch!



Lots of photo attempts...

6 out of 7 Poppa & Nana grandkids...





Gramma and all of her great-grandkids



Adam and our family and his sister and her family...



And our family photo attempt...



Poppa carving the turkey and ham...I helped him test several bites just to make sure it was ok...it was. :)



A turkey fruit platter...



This adorable little man traveled all the way from Colorado...he had lots of exploring to do.



Just enjoying the sunshine...



He may be squirmy for pictures but he is still a sweet and snuggly little boy...



This picture just looks like Thanksgiving to me...everyone catching up and enjoying being together.



Carter tackling Robert...



And next thing I know it he was tackling me too!



Thanks for a wonderful Thanksgiving, Gramma!!!

Thanksgiving Recap - part 1 - Mimi's house

We did our whirlwind tour of the south again to visit most of our family for Thanksgiving and had a wonderful trip.  We headed out the Friday before Thanksgiving and started our adventure at Mimi's house!  The driving time was 8 hours and we did it in 9.  The boys were absolute troopers.  We stopped twice and they were happy and cooperative 99% of the time.  Yay!




On Saturday we took Carter to his first Auburn football game.

Despite our pitiful season...we still have some faithful fans...



We made it to Tiger Walk and Carter got to give Aubie and most of the players high fives.



I must admit...campus was a bit empty. And sweet Carter even noticed. As we were walking through campus he asked why no one was in any of the tents.



Here we are heading to our seats...



...and cheering on our team...



We were able to watch most of the 2nd quarter with one of my college roommates and her family...I enjoyed catching up...the kids enjoyed the bag of popcorn...and I think the dads enjoyed some of the game?



Carter was ready to go at halftime...and we were up 35-0 so we thought that was safe enough to head on to Toomer's Corner. :)



The boys found some toilet paper...



And rolled what is left of our once beautiful Toomer Oaks.



War Eagle!



...more Thanksgiving highlights to come...I promise!