4 Years, 32 Weeks.
We have arrived at that time of the year when we gather together with friends and family to fellowship and give thanks for all the blessings received.
This holiday has become one of my favorites, filled with traditions and rituals, culminating in a communal festival rich in laughter and fellowship.
It's been a busy, wonderful week. It's been an incredible year.
And we have so much to be thankful for.
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| The clan under the pergola at the Grodack's for our annual Thanksgiving gathering. |
Here was our week:
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| Kohl and Maddy walk with classmates to the Thanksgiving program on Friday. |
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| About to have our Thanksgiving feast! |
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| A cute Pilgrim girl and crazy Indian boy. |
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Meanwhile, Tangie joined Brae and her class for their Thanksgiving celebration.
It was also "favorite team day" for spirit week, hence her choice in t-shirt. Go Broncos! |
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| Visited a park after school, |
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| Or two. Three actually. |
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| With a friendly dog at Green's Nursery in Apopka. |
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Mommy was working on Legos with Brae and Kohl,
but was the only one left awake when I came upstairs. |
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| Kohl passed out on the gaming chair. |
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The Grodack girls came over after church for some Bible games and crafts.
It was raining all afternoon so they provided great company to keep them all busy. |
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| Maddy and Aubs. |
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| The older siblings. |
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| Kohl photo bombed by Mommy. He certainly enjoyed himself with all the ladies around. |
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| Kohlden inspecting, aka walking on, the Christmas decorations... |
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| Tangie and I working to get our holiday cards addressed and ready to be sent out. |
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All three had dentist check-ups on Monday. All good!
The kids were on Thanksgiving break all week. |
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| Quick stop to the farm to pick up some supplies before the rains arrive. |
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| Keeping busy and entertained indoors. It would rain non-stop for the next 48 hours. |
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Putting up our new 10 1/2 foot tree. Our old one had batches of lights go out last year
and had to be put down. (I went ahead and set the old one up in the backyard) |
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| Brae helping…or hiding. Can't tell which. |
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| Now to put up the ornaments! |
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| The twins take care of Sister's hair after their showers. |
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| Our commute to IKEA on Tuesday. Horrendous conditions. |
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| Nice distraction from the rains, they enjoyed the kids drop off play area. |
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| Plus, kids eat free on Tuesdays! |
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| A quick stop to the library to get some books. |
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| Mailing out our holiday cards. |
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Bumped into News Channel 6's anchorman Erik Von Ancken.
He was nice to let us get our picture taken with him. |
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| Raided the Grodack's recycle bin (with Corey's permission!) to get Black Friday ads for Mommy! |
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| Went resort hopping to see the Disney gingerbread houses on Wednesday evening. |
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| They loved seeing all the Disney characters in a festive holiday setting. |
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| The best decorated resort of all, The Grand Floridian. |
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| Just a beautiful Christmas tree! |
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| Maddy enjoyed hanging out with Mommy. |
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| The ride home. |
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| Thanksgiving morning tradition. We had 8 guys this year! |
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| We had a lot of fun, played team best ball. And it was just a beautiful day! |
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| Gathering at the Grodacks for the holiday feast. |
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| The ladies chatting around the kitchen. |
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| Our goofy group shot. |
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| An array of delicious eats! |
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| Feeling the effects of the Tryptophan! |
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| Took Lolo to Home Depot with me at 4:30 on Black Friday morning! |
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| Photo op with Mrs. Claus! |
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| Pancake breakfast after the kids got up. |
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We spent the day back at the Grodacks, the kids played while the dads worked on
making a mould for a concrete table Duncan wants for under the pergola.
The moms were out all day doing their Black Friday shopping! |
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| At first the mould looked like a pine box! |
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| Capped the day off with supper a la fire bowl. Splendid! |
Food:
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| Beet hummus. |
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| Brie and honeycomb spread. Never gets old. |
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| Tandoori turkey with parsnips and golden beets. |
Randoms:
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| Saw this car pulling out of Publix and thought, how on earth can they drive? |
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| Different options with different birds. Also, a game. |
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| Rain all week, but Thanksgiving was glorious! |
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An alert on my phone as we drove to IKEA Tuesday morning.
The storm and lightning was pretty fierce. |
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| Created this year's holiday centerpiece. |
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| Maddy saw a hidden Mickey in our Fiddle Fig tree. Can you spot it? |
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Mommy created this year's Christmas advent calendar.
The kids are so excited!! |
Quotes:
- At Glad Tidings Church for the Thanksgiving meal, Kohlden told me that he was an Indian, and that Madelyn was a "program" girl.
Um, I think the word you're thinking of is "pilgrim" buddy.
- The kids and I were heading to a nursery in Apopka to pick up a new vine for the pergola. After driving for several minutes, Kohlden piped up and said, "So Daddy, where's the nurse?"
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| Thanksgiving down, now on to Christmas! |
Have a great weekend!
