Turkey Day 2010

Thanksgiving this year was amazing, the only thing that could have possibly made it better is if Joel, Becky, and Aubrey had been there with us. Last year I was at home and it was just Mom and I, we went to the ward Thanksgiving dinner and then I worked part of the day so that I could get more money. Two years ago I was in Taiwan, so it has been three years since I've had a "real" Thanksgiving.

Nathan, Sallee, and Claire flew in from California and Mom hosted everyone at her house. It was one fun, crazy day with food to be cooked, dishes to be prepared, many different conversations going on, babies to play with, kids running around, food to be eaten, cleaning to be done, etc. but I loved everything about it and was so glad to have much of my family together.

Before the rush of the day began we started with a nice breakfast

Boys will be boys, there were many different "games" to distract them throughout the day (whether it be an Aunts phone, Uncles phone, or gameboy)

Many smiles to be seen! :D

Talking to be done, catching up with those you have seen in a couple of months or a couple of days.

It was so neat the many different "branches" of our family we were able to have join in the fun...besides my siblings and their families we also had my Grandma (Mom's Mom), my brother-in-laws Sisters and Boyfriend, and a cousin from my Dad's side of the family.

You can't get all together without some tickles and loving happening :)

Babies to be rocked...this was Sallee's and Nathan's first time to see baby Alexia.

Getting ready to take a nap...aren't her eyes gorgeous?

Not only did little babies take naps but so did the cousins :D

Ben, Sonia, and Katrina sitting around the table during the "serious" eating time.

Katrina, I can't believe that this little girl is not so little anymore and is going to be 10 in March---a double digit!

Samuel being his silly old self, he came in and surprised us all with his two front teeth missing. Needless to say he got "All I Want For Christmas" sang to him several times.

Madelaine, one of our beautiful adopted sisters.

The remains of the food, I'm not used to having so many different families join in on the fun so by the time we divided up the food there wasn't actually that many remains.

One of the tables...Grandma, Mom, Nathan, Sallee, LaVon, Kyle, and Erick. It was a new experience having to have two tables for everyone. It took some thinking on Mom's and my part to get it all ready and have enough seats.

A cool shot of Kyle with the sunlight on him.

Sara, a very smart and silly girl.

LaVon sneaking a smile without anyone else realizing that I was taking a picture.

My beautiful Mommy, I hope that I have as beautiful skin and hair as her when I get older!

Lily, another adopted sister and her boyfriend Ben (we are all cheering for him to join the family soon :D)

Erick being himself...I have many pictures with this almost exact face. He always takes off his glasses when he realizes that I am taking a picture and then makes this face.

Cute little Claire, it is amazing how much she has changed in the last 3 months since I saw her last. I loved watching her expressions and hearing the sounds she makes.

The piano with the headphones became a favorite of several little girls.

Sam and Uncle Nate, styling in the red, white, and blue.

Half way through the evening we realized that Kyle, Libbey, and LaVon were all wearing the same colored shirt and when we realized it they were all sitting on the couch together.

The only picture taken of me as I was taking all of the pictures, Erick was trying to take it but he needed some help so I actually ended up taking it :D

Samuel, so handsome in his khaki pants and button-up shirt.

Another little girl content playing the piano.

Nathan and Sallee...our cutest newlyweds (:D considering it's almost been 3 years not quite newlyweds but they are the most recent to get married)

Claire with Tia Lily, so cute!

Hanging around just chatting.

Another angle