Thanksgiving 2009

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving and family gathering at the ranch last week. We were all missing my grandmother (Memaw) but know she would have been proud we carried on the Thanksgiving tradition at the ranch. Below is what I want to remember about this Thanksgiving.

1) Dylan and Layla had their first spend the night in the same bed. I left them alone once Dylan had fallen asleep and after I left I could hear Layla singing herself to sleep in the baby monitor.

2) Family dance party - Layla insisted on this and it was a lot of fun. River liked dancing with his Aunt Angela, Juliet loved dancing and my mom tried to teach Layla and Dylan how to twist.

3) My mom decorating the Christmas tree and mantle and Dylan and River undecorating the tree and breaking the ornaments.

4) Having 5 kids all try and sleep in the same house and 4 1/2 in diapers. Trying to take care of 5 kids in general!

5) Chasing moo cows with Dylan and Layla.

6) Me and Melinda both loosing our cool due to sleep deprivation - can you blame us!

7) My dad loving to burn the trash and work on anything he could find. Craig putting my dad's nice pillows in the fire.

8) Steven being obsessed with having fire wood and fixing the log splitter.

9) Dylan want to hunt for dinosaurs in the woods and thinking he saw baboons and ostriches!

10) Steven and Craig deer hunting - me grabbing the kids when we heard the gunshots when Craig shot his deer. Steven accidentally shooting 2 deer.

11) Having a fire in the fire place when it was not cold outside just so we could make smores!

12) Mom walking with Levi over her shoulder and Melinda suctioning Levi's nose.

13) Dylan wanting to sing Happy Birthday because we had candles lit on the Thanksgiving table. Dylan and Layla blowing out the candles.

14) Dylan telling River to share.

Most importantly it was great family bonding. I am thankful for each member of our family and it was neat to get to spend several days with them. I am looking forward to many more holiday celebrations.