Come Ye Thankful People Come

What's not to love about a holiday that asks us to think of all our blessings, celebrate a bountiful harvest, invite family and friends to celebrate with us...cook all the best and most yummy foods ever..watch football and then get ready to head out at an unholy hour to get the best shopping buys before Christmas? You don't have to answer that, but I hope everyone had a great day no matter how you celebrated. We had a slew of family over today and it was a slew of fun. Thanks to all for bringing food, laughter, our sweet Grandkiddos, and love to our home. Also for all the calories that I will now have to find a way to burn off...

Amy loves to bake pies...and she's dang good at too! She has the first place honors to prove it. But we found out the best way to prove her skills is to have her bake a few pies for us...and she did! They were all delish, beautiful and we even have a secret about this years pie fest that we're keeping to ourselves...right Ames?
Ta Da!!!! This is the star of the day...come to Momma.
As soon as the delish smell of that turkey hit the air, the weary travelers arrived...if you think I'm exaggerating by saying we had a ton of fun family for dinner, just look at the shoes left at the back door..a pic is worth a thousand words my friends.
These two sisters are tooooooo cute for words..ok, I can think of a few words...but hey, just quit growing up for crying out loud. When did Summer,12, (left) get as tall (or taller) than her 15yr. old sis???
Awwww..Uncle Jack puts the big smack on Sophie..there was a lot of that going on today!
I hate making gravy. I'm not good at it and I admit it...I'm not ashamed. Lucky for my family, we had a master gravy maker with us...thanks Kent for making the best gravy I've had in a long time....my family thanks you too! In fact, they want to marry you...sorry Leisy.
Dessert plays a big part in the holiday and we had a slew to choose from. We had a texas sheet cake, apple pie, choc. pecan pie, pecan pie, 2 pumpkin chiffon pies, a banana cream pie, a triple berry pie, an eclair dessert, and top it off we had icecream and also much whip cream...I kid you not. I swear, I thought our pancreases were going to explode.
Since we had such a large group we put all the food on the island and surrounding counters and went to town buffet style. Everyone can find a place to eat in either the dining room, living room , or a spot in the kitchen. No one went hungry, that's for sure...Yummmm!
We also celebrated my oldest son's birthday today. It seems like only yesterday that he was a tiny 2lb. squirt! Happy Birthday Jackie! He's 35..and as his brother was quick to point out, he's half way to 70...bunch of comedians we have here.
Usually on Thanksgiving we put out all the pumpkins left over from Halloween and get out bows and arrows and have a shoot out. Since it was raining today, Amy got out fun little game called "pin the pilgrim hat on the turkey". No matter how you slice it that game never gets old. So we blind folded the little kiddos and they went to town trying to get a hat on his head...they really enjoyed it, thanks Amy!
Even with Amy's help, this is definitely way off base!
No one put the hat in the right spot, but this turkey was thrilled to be here and not on a dinner plate!
When dinner and dessert was over, a few of us needed to get our bods out and get some exercise and fresh air. It was drizzly today, but warm in the 50's so it was heavenly to get moving. The pic is blurry because I was running to keep up on that steep hill...hey guys, slow it down! I'm old...remember?
I can't believe these little tummies could ingest one more tidbit, but here they are having a quick popcorn snack before bed. Lexi asked if she could "stay the night" with her cousins so it was a impromptu sleep over!
Tons of visitors...running around the Pines with little kiddos and big kiddos too...all the excitement of smelling that delish turkey...well, it's just too much for some people/dogs...he's on the cat's bed and hopefully squeak isn't!
I think this is a scene that was played out in many homes today. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!