Thanksgivings Past

At this moment, the house is really clean, the children are getting tired, Daddy is outside chopping wood, and Mommy is pooped from cleaning and cooking in preparation for Thanksgiving Day tomorrow. As I was de-shelling eggs for deviled eggs, memories of past Thanksgivings came to me. Where were we over the last eight Thanksgiving holidays? So, onward and backward we go!

My sixth grade class, 6D, came up with this activity of dividing into two teams and writing on the chalkboard all the things they were thankful for. I think I timed them. There also was a little Thanksgiving party we'd have and my wonderful room mother would help w/ the food and organization. I was always blessed with wonderful room moms. They really made me, as the teacher, feel special.

Again, our second Thanksgiving together was my second year teaching. Below is what my room mother brought in to help us celebrate! A bunch of cupcakes are frosted like a turkey. Creative...

During Thanksgiving break, Greg and I drove to GA to be with Greg's family. I think they had just moved into this house. Below is a pic that proves Big Dog does help in the kitchen!

My mother in law makes her own window treatments. In fact, when we moved into our first home, she made all of my window treatments! Big Dog and Greg playing something....probably Madden football.

Our first Thanksgiving in our own home was our third year married. We had moved into this house in Greenville and had my family and Greg's family in for Thanksgiving.

Below are the two moms in my life.

My hubby and Dad cutting up the turkey. Thaaaat's right, they're using my washer and dryer for extra counter space.

Family pic! I cannot tell you the complaints I got when I wanted to take this. I like preserving memories...sue me! My brother in law and sister in law are on the far right. This was before any of us had children.

Was very grateful to the men for putting lights on my house!

Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of our last Thanksgiving in SC and our first Thanksgiving in MO. I'm pretty sure we were in GA for our last one in the South, and then at the Christensen's house for our first one in MO. So....2 year gap here.

Our second and final Thanksgiving in MO my inlaws flew in. We also picked up Grandma Baker from Kansas City so that she could be with family for the holiday. Football is a must for the Bakers...so Greg and I had to go outside and throw around the football before partaking the feast.

Greg and his dad spend an enormous amount of time raking up and bagging the wretched gumballs in our yard. The truck behind Greg is filled to the brim!

  We still had Dolly then.

Our first Thanksgiving in UT we were invited to be with the Goninos. My inlaws were here for this holiday and they came with us to the Goninos. We were asked to bring a few things, so I made sure to take a picture of our dessert creation.

Last Thanksgiving was spent in Colorado. We drove from here to my parents' house and enjoyed a few days with them as well as my brother and his wife from SC. My parents had chickens at the time, and Paton loved to go with Grampa to collect the eggs.

Dad used his smoker to smoke the turkey. Yum!

  We were happy to see my brother and his wife for the holiday. They live all the way across the country so we don't get to see them often. Paton is covered with blankets b/c he wasn't feeling well toward the tail end of the trip.

Above is my hunter husband. My dad and Greg spend a few hours hunting down coyotes from the property. Those coyotes attacked my parents' dogs a few months back, so both men had a grand time shooting at them.

And this Christmas was spent with a family from our church as well as a family from SLC. All of our kids are right around the same age and what is more fun than a house full of kids on Thanksgiving Day?!

I do have much to be thankful for. But I try to remember those things more than just one day a year. God is continually blessing our family and ministry here in UT. I love so much where He has us now!