"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, December 01, 2011

Thanksgiving - a week late!

You know the song the Twelve Days of Christmas - this trip was kind of like that (or so my mind goes ).

We had two parents with one son and a feral cat Toby. (Toby is so naughty that when he goes to the vet they have to cover him with a blanket and hope they give him a shot in the right place! He tries to kill anyone that passes him and had to be put in his own room.)

Two sets of parents - one from Georgia and one from Maryland.

The set from Maryland brought their dog Chase.

The set from Georgia brought their dog Disco, daughter, and ten year old grandson.

The set from Georgia had their car brimming with gifts from afar (and suitcases too!)

There were celebrations galore - birthdays, Thanksgiving, and dedications.

(How was that?)

My DIL is a gourmet cook.

Sweet potatoes with pecans and brown sugar.


Turkey - fresh Butterball turkey that she brine first.


Buttery mashed potatoes. Home made yeast rolls. With homemade flavored butters.


Stuffing - from a website where you can list all the ingredients you want in the stuffing and they will tell you how to make it.


Baked Brussel sprouts.


My grandson who never eats called this meal exceptional and ate with relish - he was a little piggy. Cranberries made by my son.


Son and grandson. Grandson was so cute - every time we got the camera out and the flash he closed one eye like a pirate. The way I captured this looks like he had a pirates hat on!


Even Disco got to have some dinner - he LOVED it - and didn't eat for the next two days - kind of spoiled him on dog food.


My pirate and my daughter.


My little one year old pirate. He does that almost every picture - the flash!


Grandma Chatty and grandson.


My ten year old GS taught my one year old grandson have to walk with this thingamajig!



Grandpa and the boys.

The boys playing and grandma laughing.

HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY GRANDSON!!!

Beautiful cake my DIL bought. Tasted delish!


Watching grandson starting to eat his cake!



He is very gentle and started out on the cake.


He is never given sugar and really didn't know what to do with it.


Had to get undressed after that and take a bath given by mom and dad.


Opening some gifts.



The church where he was dedicated.


We got a great sermon which I will tell you about later....lol


Here we are all standing promising to guide him in life - living a Christian life.


We drove home Sunday and it rained the whole way home - but we did it - three holidays in one trip. And we made it home safely. Thanks God.

Thought for the day:

Kindness makes a fellow feel good, whether it's being done to him or by him.
~Frank Clark




Well you asked for pictures - right?

56 comments:

Changes in the wind said...

Nothing like family love:) Looks like all had a wonderful time.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What a trip! Happy 1st birthday to him.

Yum, dinner looked amazing!

Cheri said...

That was a busy trip and what a lovely family you have.

Jill said...

What a fun, love filled trip!

Love your little pirate. That is just so adorbale the way he closes that one eye.

Your food looked wonderful!

Catherine said...

Looks like you had a wonderful time! The pirate ~ adorable!
xo Catherine

Betty said...

I enjoyed seeing all your pictures. It looks as if your older grandson enjoys playing with his cousin. The food looked delicious. My husband would have enjoyed the brussel sprouts. He's the only one that will eat them, so we rarely have them. He's tried telling me for years that they taste just like "little" cabbages, but I don't believe it for a minute.

Granny Annie said...

Delightful, delightful, delightful. Thanksgiving, birthdays, baptism, family fellowship. All that and baked brussel sprouts. (?) I gotta know how to make those. Thank you for sharing Sandie.

Granny Annie said...

P.S. What's all this pirate stuff. We went to yard sale the other day and a young man with a toy sword was there helping. I said "Howdy" and he said, "I'm a pirate. You have to say Argh."

Anonymous said...

What enjoyment to read of your other holiday celebration...loving that lil pirate! Food looks delish and the smiles radiate happiness....

Patti said...

Will is getting so big...can't believe he's a year old already. What a cutie pie he is!

Looks like a wonderful time was had by all. I'm so glad you were able to make the trip up to Ohio.

Have a great day,
Patti

The Boston Lady said...

I love your little pirate! It looks like an action packed three days that had lots of fun and love included. Yummy food too! Ann

MadSnapper said...

today is one of my most favorite post you have done, i loved the story and the photos and the peek into your life. that church shot is magnificent. great post

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Crazy times but wonderful. I love to see your whole family together! That Will is so cute with his pirate eye! LOL...one year old already...gosh time does fly! Glad you are home and now onto Christmas! hugs, Linda

Marti said...

What could be better than good food, great visiting, grand babies, and a feral cat!

Bev said...

Thanks for sharing!...Looks like a wonderful time and FOOD!!! yummmmm...

TexWisGirl said...

packed full of all sorts of love.

Southhamsdarling said...

What a heartwarming Thanksgiving you had Chatty! All the family together - what more could you ask for?! Number 1 grandson with his lovely smile, and number 2 grandson (who is SO cute by the way) eating his birthday cake. Love those piccies. Also love the way the little one tries to close one eye whenever the camera appears. LOL!! What a great website that you can put in all the stuffing ingredients and they'll tell you how to make it! All the food looked really scrummy.Lovely post my friend.

deb said...

And a great time was had by all!! What a fun time. The church is beautiful.
Such sweet grandsons!
*hugs*Deb

Cass @ That Old House said...

Fabulous picture story of a wonderful week!
Those grandsons are treasures.
And EVERYONE should have to take a bath and change clothes after eating his or her birthday cake, don't you think?

What delicious freedom, to just dig in like that.
Cass

Remington said...

Family time is the best time! Love the pics -- thank you for sharing....

Kim said...

Wow, busy but fabulous. All of those things would make for a very special and memorable Thanksgiving. Love the pirate eye! So cute.

theconstantwalker said...

What a wonderful event... everyone looks so happy.
Many thanks for sharing your pics you have a lovely family.
Happy December
Hugs Drew xx

Lois Christensen said...

I loved all the pictures! Loved seeing you with your grandchildren! The meal looks really good. Glad you had a nice time and a safe trip back! Also glad to know I'm not the only one who gets nervous driving in pouring rain! Enjoy your day!

Sush said...

Whew! I hear ya, we stayed home and had all the guests here! Was wonderful but I'm still resting.
Hugs~
PS Love that Pie..rat! So stinkin' cute!

Marie said...

This is a wonderful post Sandie!
Happy 1st birthday to Will!
In that one pic I thought he had a pirate hat on until I read your comment. LOL
Sounds like you had a great visit.
Happy you made it home safely!

Janie Fox said...

Such great pics. That pirate is as cute as Johnny Depp ever was!!

Whosyergurl said...

I love these real life posts of yours! Looks like y'all had a wonderful time! My grand baby has those thingamajigs, too. They will sing in harmony if you have more than one! That church is real purty.
Glad you arrived home safe and sound. xo, Cheryl

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Looks like ya'll enjoyed your Thanksgiving almost as much a that handsome little Will enjoyed his first birthday cake!

Happy Birthday little fella!

You are blessed with a beautiful family sweetie!

Have a fantastic day! :o)

Unknown said...

Looks like it was an awesome get to gether!

Ginny Hartzler said...

I LOVE the story of your trip and celebration, and the pictures. A really cool photo diary. The church lights and decorations are beautiful! And I love the look on grandson's face as he watches the cake being taken apart. That is SOME cake!!! All the food looks so delicious! I'm so glad you are all back safe and sound!

CalamityJr said...

What a wonderful trip! Loved all the photos, but especially the beautiful church. Thanks for sharing!

betty said...

That food looks delicious, Sandie! I don't know where your DIL finds the time to cook like that and have a young child, etc! I never heard of baked brussel sprouts, but they look delicious!! Both grandsons are so cute; love the little one and the 10 y/o. Great look with the little one with his eye half closed like that, too cute!! Looks like and sounds like a really great time, so glad you could be there for it all too with the dedication etc!!

betty

Linda O'Connell said...

Oh what fun you had. Love the photos.

Belle said...

Oh Sandie, this was a moving post for me seeing the little fellow dedicated in church. It reminded me of my children and grandchildren being dedicated, and my parents dedicated me. What a wonderful influence parents have on their children to live for God! It was my grandmother Brooxie who first became a Christian in my family and taught my mother about God when she was young. She also gave me a book about Jesus that helped me so much when I was twenty years old.

I absolutely love, love that birthday cake! What a great idea to put little toys all over it. I'm glad you had such a good time.

Anonymous said...

Lovely photos Sandie! I loved the one with the little GS eating his cake with the whole face. A very nice post! Have a lovely day my friend! Big hugs x

Sally Wessely said...

I know this was a late Thanksgiving posts, but all I could think of was the word JOY! This was such a joyful post. Gratitude obviously overflowed during your Thanksgiving gathering. Thanks for sharing.

jp@A Green Ridge said...

You had an awesome time and was nice enoguh to share it all with us!...:)JP

Tanna said...

Love. Love. Love all the wonderful famiy photos, Sandie!! An amazing visit! And, I want to sign up for the next dinner at your DIL and son's!! Man, that food looks out of this world! Sweet, sweet grandbabies you have, girl!! blessings ~ Tanna

Ann said...

well that was some awesome celebration. Your grandson looks like he's winking at you :)

Debbie said...

Wonderful! Wonderful! I can't believe how your adorable grandson has grown. And he STILL looks just like his dad.
I giggled at the pirate face and actually did think it was a pirate hat in the picture.

And baked brussels sprouts? I want that recipe!

Starting Over, Accepting Changes - Maybe said...

Liking those sweet potatoes....

There is nothing that warms the heart and belly better than good food and warm hearts.

Knitty said...

Wonderful photo story! You sure crammed a lot of loving into your days, just as it should be. :)

Sweet Tea said...

Thanks for sharing the photos with us. I'm the nosey sort and enjoy seeing all the people and places. Your Pirate is sooo cute and I KNOW you loved spending some time with him...BTW, you've been holding out on us - I'd love to have a link to the site that you used for making the dressing.

Susan said...

Awwww,Sandie, that was great.LOVED all the photos. One year old already? Can you BELIEVE IT? WOWSERS. Great job. Susan

Shug said...

Hi Sandie.... I love every bit of this post!! Happy times spent with family and some great looking dishes...how can you beat it?

Shgu

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Love this post, Sandie! You have a beautiful family. Your photos are all wonderful and it looks like everyone had a great time! Glad you got back home safe and sound. I'd love to know the link for the dressing. ~Cheryl

Michelle My Bell said...

Beautiful pictures Sandie! You have a beautiful family, and those brussel sprouts looked soooo yummy!!! :)

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I took photo's of our Thanksgiving..but none of them turned out too great..
I had to laugh at your comment about my camera. IT IS horrible. Most of the time I have to take the same photo over and over and over...they turn out blurry...it's so frustrating!
What great family photos! It seems out little great grand was just baptised..and already..she is three years old. Time is flying by. Happy December to you...

Liz Mays said...

Your grandkids are completely adorable, and the church was so beautiful for the dedication.

All I needed from that table to be completely happy - cranberries and those buttery mashed potatoes!

Eat To Live said...

I can see you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It is so nice being with the family.
Such a cute baby!!

Sharon said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the pictures. I thoroughly enjoyed this chance to share in some of your family's good time. My goodness that baby grandson is growing FAST! I just love the baby cake photos - I have some myself - they're just so cute!

The food looked delicious - except for the Brussels sprouts. I hate those things! They are the one vegetable that I have NOT outgrown disliking - (well, in addition to lima beans and creamed corn). So, I closed my eyes on that photo (no offense to you). Maybe if they came up with a recipe that coated them in chocolate???

Sagittarian said...

Wow!:) Great!:) I like reading your post, it's my first time here and I really enjoy your piece!:) Happy family that's so special :) God bless you more!:) Keep sharing!:)

Unknown said...

I am glad you had such a wonderful time.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Now that was a perfect Thanksgiving celebration. The meal looks like it was a feast in Heaven. The family pictures are all so wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

Shoutforfood said...

what a wonderful time to spend with our love ones. i like the birthday cake.

ClassyChassy said...

Nice photos, Chatty! Your grandsons are adorable - and Disco - he looks like a small turkey! I bet he had a great holiday! How does he behave with the baby around?