the gifts we've been given

He who thanks but with the lips

Thanks but in part;

The full, the true Thanksgiving

Comes from the heart.~J.A. Shedd

Thanksgiving!  A time for celebrating all the blessing you have and giving thanks.  The Weirs had their SECOND Thanksgiving as Mr & Mrs this year in our usual fashion, two Thanksgivings!  We went to Aaron's sister's home for Thanksgiving lunch.  Brutus tagged along for his very first Thanksgiving and played his little puppy heart out in the backyard.  The girls didn't waste any time finding Uncle Aaron and giving him hugs!

Jordan joined in the fun too.  They sure do love their silly Uncle Aaron.

All the girls looked adorable in their Thanksgiving dresses.  The Rio birds joined in too.  Jordan's new favorite movie includes these wacky birds and she found some stuffed parrots to come to our Thanksgiving dinner.

Riley and Uncle Josh.

Jill, John, and Jordan.  So cute.  Jordan looks so much like her mommy:)

Little Charlotte wasn't so little anymore.  She was walking and talking.  She loved watching Brutus play with the "Ball!" and letting all her Uncles and Aunts hold her.  And let me tell you, the girl can eat some mashed potatoes like nobody's business.

Jordan and Mommy spent some time together, but most of the time the girls were playing dress up and Barbies in the basement playroom.  Sound familiar?  Sounds like exactly what Sydney and I used to do during holidays and family gatherings.

I was so glad Kevin joined us this year.  I think Jan, my wonderful Mother-In-Law, was too!

See that pointed finger?  Charlotte wanted her Aunt Viki a lot, especially when I was playing photographer.  I think it may have had to do with the fact that I gave her some mashed potatoes...

These two were quite the cuddly couple throughout the afternoon.

What is Thanksgiving without football?  The boys had their Fantasy stats up and ready to go.  Does not surprise me at all.

I think this was one of many Pepsis that Taia "accidentally" got out of the fridge and started drinking.  Uncle Josh definitely didn't mind getting a little love from his oldest niece.

Baby Charlotte was so cute I couldn't get enough of her:)

The table settings were gorgeous.  Becky did a wonderful job, it was like something out of Better Homes and Gardens.

The little girls got to chow down first.  I loved the lunch tray set up.  As you can see, the mashed potatoes were popular here as well.  

The spread was incredible.  I definitely held back considering I had another full meal that night.  Those two dished of green bean casserole were my contribution to the meal.  I love being a Misses and bringing an official dish to the holiday meals.

The Schneider Family Thanksgiving was an event.  The food was delicious, the company was entertaining, and the atmosphere was cozy.  The McElwains joined us this year and the boys were SO big.  Evan is a total guys guy.  He even watched the football games with Daddy.

Caleb and Grandpa cuddled on the couch after dinner.  Brown bear, Caleb's special stuffed animal, came for Thanksgiving too.  Grandpa attempted to steal him away, but Caleb would have none of that.

Surprise!  My handsome hubby was having football time for the second time.

Opa catching up with a few of his grandchildren.

We were so happy to have Tad's girlfriend Veronica joining us.  They are quite adorable together.

We even got to celebrate a birthday, Ally-bug turned 4. (And my Daddy had a birthday too!)

Little Ally was not feeling too well.  That's ok...Daddy will blow out the candles for you!

She still looked like a little princess, even if she had a cold.

Nanny T made another one of her amazing cakes for Ally's birthday.  A Pink Butterfly!

Opa & Trey.  Troublemakers, the two of them.

Sydney was home from school and I was so happy to be able to catch up on her college experience thus far.  We talk every week, but seeing her at home was wonderful.  I miss her being home.

Brutus got a little Thanksgiving gift himself on Black Friday.  He got a new, adorable stuffed toy which only took him 1 Day to completely destroy.  Mommy learned a lesson about which toys big boy dogs need.  

I am so thankful for this past year of marriage, for Brutus, my wonderful family, and for the love God has shown me.  I know that I do not deserve any of it and that makes me all the more grateful.  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  Now...let the Christmas season BEGIN!