Thanksgiving 2013

Thanksgiving was a busy, chaotic, bundle of glorious-ness this year.

My sister from AZ and her family stayed with us for a whole week.

We love these sweet peeps we only get to see twice a year and I was so excited for them to stay at our abode.My sister sacrificed her b-day celebration for a long car ride to ID so the morning after she arrived we busted out the party hats, root beer floats, and key lime pie for a birthday breakfast party! (Little C was in charge of photos. Unfortunately my sister wasn't in them.  Funny guy :)

We also did a little b-day shopping the next day, feasted at Big Bun - where I was tricked into asking what their catch of the day was... never felt smarter (this is a hamburger joint), and went on a double date to see Hunger Games.

Love bonding with these folk.

The next day we took the younger kids to the aquarium which bit the dust mostly. No sting rays or sharks to be had because they'd been confiscated for being purchased illegally. Impressive. The kids still managed to have a good time though.

The Beloved's parents, my sister and her family from WA, and my bro-in-law's family from Rexburg all arrived the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Some people had hotels so it wasn't crazy all the time but....

most of the time.

Good thing I'm a little in love with crazy.

Everyone helped out so very much -especially The Beloved's parents. We were really missing my Mom and Dad and to have a seasoned matriarch and patriarch in our midst was a blessing.

 Thanksgiving dinner was held at the church where The Beloved's brother Fultray, his wife, our friends the Horton's, and another brother in law's brother and his family were able to join the rest of the party crew aforementioned. 

(Did you know that was one word? I think I should have....)

We feasted, had the best chats, and played a few great rounds of cards.

The Friday after Thanksgiving my other sister from WA arrived and so did The Beloved's sister and her fam from UT. I love all of these people and their willingness to travel and be together.

This was the first time in a looonnnggg time all of my sisters and I have been together. We exchanged Christmas gifts early, Fultray gave us a psycho analysis he learned from his old roommates (definitely entertaining), went to Frozen, attended the baby's blessing, and managed to take the ugliest/funnest sister photo ever.

After everyone departed -

I slept for a week.

Singing Happy B-day to Sister #2

Cousin AV

L-R
Cousin KV, Ruckus, AV, MV, Lou, Moo, and Sister #2.

Front L-R
Moo, and KV
Back L-R
MV, Lou, AV, and Ruckus

Moo and AV

Ruckus and MV

Lou and MV

Ruckus had to share a room with Moo but obviously didn't want to sleep in the baby's crib so The Beloved got out both  mattresses and laid them on the floor.

The baby with Grandma.
The baby is sporting my favorite baby pose.
Legs pulled in tightly with the little bummy poking out.

Thanksgiving spread.

Feasting.
Hurrah!

The sisters.
I have no idea what we're doing but it looks like everyone is having fun except Sister #3 who looks fairly concerned with my hair. :)