Kids, Fun, and a Rooster?

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Raleigh. The kids had a ball together. Shirley, Steve's oldest sister from CA, had the kids posing for pictures so much that I believe they were ready to smash the cameras! I didn't mind 'cause we got a lot of good shots too. I'm also putting a picture of Shad that looks as if he's trying to wash his hair with banana pudding. Too funny! Oh, while I'm at it I might as well include a picture of our new rooster. Our chickens, who are not red sox fans Senor Conary, were getting a little lonely so Steve got a rooster to keep them company.

Family, Food, and Fun!!!

Wow, Thanksgiving is over and Christmas is just right around the corner! We had a great Thanksgiving filled with lots of family, food, and fun! : ) We do have so much to be thankful for. We were able to go to Raleigh to visit with our family, some of whom were in town from San Diego,CA which we've not seen in several years. It was so good to see everyone, especially to see the kids hang out with their cousins. I couldn't help but remember how they all played together when they were younger and they're all so big now! I have to look up at a couple of the boys who are now around 6ft tall. Even though most of them are young men and women now, I still see the beautiful faces of those sweet little children laughing and playing together. It was so much fun! We were able to attend church with Steve's mom and I know she must have felt a little pride having her family (which included her 3 oldest children, their spouses, and 10 of her 13 grandchildren) taking up 2 whole pews. When we were trying to leave to come home everyone was together and I thought we'd never get finished with goodbyes and get out the door. However, in the midst of all the chaos of kids running around, adults having conversations, and trying to make sure we hugged everyone goodbye, I had the most overwhelming feeling of peace and love come over me. I truly felt the spirit of family and what family is meant to be. How wonderful it will be to have all our family together in the celestial kingdom with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ our elder brother. How blessed we are to have such a large, loving family.
We were back home for Thanksgiving day and my sister Sarah and her son, my handsome nephew RJ, were in town to join us for Thanksgiving. We had a terrific visit and Sarah and I had a great time cooking together. That's the first time we've ever cooked a big dinner together for any occasion. It made me think of when we were kids and we couldn't even wash dishes together without arguing. We're so different from each other. Now that we're adults we love and appreciate one another for those differences. I so enjoyed having her here and I especially enjoyed getting to see her enjoy her little nephew Shadrack. He had fun playing with her and she enjoyed all the hugs and kisses he was handing out. He was too sweet. Watching her with him made me miss my mom and wish that she was here to play with Shad too. It also made me long to see my brother Ike. I've not seen him since I was pregnant with Shad and that was just briefly at my unlce's funeral. He has never met his nephew and that makes me feel sad inside because I know how much he and my sister-in-law Kristie would love their nephew. Hopefully soon we will have all my family together for a visit. I know that would definitely please my mom.
I know that we have so much to be thankful for and I am truly grateful for all of our family near and far. So to all those family members we get to see often and to those we don't see much at all, we love you and miss you all so very much. You are never far from our thoughts or prayers. I hope every one's Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours.