Thanksgiving 2014

I'm Thankful For

• God
• my husband
• my family
• the church
• my children
• the food on our table
• the clothes in our closets
• the warm beds we sleep in at night
• the roof over our heads
• that everyone in my family is happy and healthy
• James' job that provides us with the very comfortable lifestyle we live
• finding out about the gestational diabetes so I can start feeling better
• having reliable cars that aid us in our travels throughout the holidays
• Reagan continuing to be in a stable, healthy environment
• the fact that the terrible twos don't last

   Of course I am thankful for SO much more than that, but those are the main things happening in my life right now that I am the MOST thankful for. :) I found a quote that I would like to share with you that really spoke to me and made me think a bit.

   What are your thoughts? I like this quote because it points out the fact that you don't need new or outward somethings to make you happy, you just need to appreciate what you already have in front of you or inside of you and that to me is true happiness. I don't know, I just really liked the quote and I hope you do as well. 

   Anyways, the reason I wanted to do this post was because James, Reagan, and I got to go to my dad's house up in Austin for Thanksgiving and I just wanted to share some pictures from the festivities. :)

These two pictures are from our early morning Cracker Barrel pit stop. This preggo needed to fuel up her belly before driving all that way and James likes their biscuits and gravy so I heard no complaining coming from his end. This was on Thanksgiving Day and it was the only place open at 6:30 am. I felt kind of bad that the people working there had to be there SO early and on Thanksgiving, but I was more than grateful that they were open. I always stack my plates after eating out (common courtesy and common sense), but I made it a point to stack them extra neat and wipe the table just to help out a little bit.

 We arrived around 10:45-11ish in the morning and this is basically how the whole day went until dinner. Benjamin played on the iPad, Reagan and his obsession with shoes entertained us all, I watched t.v. and relaxed, James chilled out which he hasn't done in so so so long due to his grueling work schedule and his natural ability to stress over nothing and everything all at once, Debbie of course cooked, and my dad tinkered back and forth. My brothers Austin and Martin (twins, 23 years old) have their own things going on, but they made it a point to come by. Austin came by in the afternoon and watched football with James and Martin and his awesome girlfriend came by later that evening to eat and hang out. Thanksgiving day was awesome and relaxing and I am thankful I got to spend it in Austin this year.

On our way to Zilker Park.

Reagan on the firetruck that I used to play on at his age.

Reagan loves jumping.

Where's your permit young man?

Daddy pushing Reagan...

...and him loving it.

Rare footage caught on camera!
 He seems to be hugging the little girl instead of hitting her!!!
Is he sick?
I don't know, but I sure hope this sticks because I'm so very over getting the "your son is hitting the girls again" call. lol

Papa showing him the turtles.

Papa making sure Reagan doesn't jump in the water.

Looking at the rocks together.

These fun pictures are from Black Friday, except we enjoyed the beautiful weather at the park instead of getting trampled on at the mall or other stores! I mean, the weather was PERFECT to be outside in nature!! (Another one of my favorite things about Austin) No offense to those who enjoyed the sales in stores, it's just not my thing. To each his own. :) Reagan seemed to really enjoy the sandbox, swings, and sight to be seen. He actually went around and HUGGED all the kids in the sandbox which floored me. Maybe he was feeling in the spirit from the holiday, I don't know, but I was absolutely thrilled and I have to say a little bit proud of him. He's had a real problem with beating girls up. Never the boys, only the girls and I don't know what to do so I just quit taking him places where he could hurt them. So to say I was thrilled that he hugged instead of hit is an understatement.

After the park and after a HUGE leftover lunch.
The cuteness overwhelms me. :)

Uh-oh! Benjamin has his permit now and drove us to the store!! :)

Relaxation at it's finest.

Reagan helping Papa work on Debbie's car. Papa LOVED it! :)

Dad

James and my dad shooting some guns while Reagan and I stayed at the house. They had some quality father/son-in-law bonding time. :)

I'm so thankful that I got to spend 3 days in Austin, but it just never seems long enough to me. I already miss them, but they are coming to see our new house December 27th so it won't be long!! :) Until then, I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving that they are thankful for having and I hope you can continue in the spirit of the holiday long after it is over. :)