Thanksgiving 2015

Thanksgiving this year was a Hantla holiday so the plan was to celebrate at the Marsh pad in Katy, TX.  Paul & Vicki flew into Houston on the Monday before Thanksgiving and stayed with us.  I picked them up from the airport because B had some papers to edit.  Vicki came with me to the kids' school for the Kindergarten feast for A and she was very helpful.  Paul stayed at home with E and W during rest time.  B had to work, so we didn't see him until later anyways.

The only picture I took, but they all looked adorable.

Tuesday night we ate dinner at home and then Wednesday the kids were off from school so I spent the morning cooking and Gran & Papaw spent time with the kids, playing.  We met Anna for lunch at Panera Bread in Katy, and then P/V went with her from there.  E seemed to not be feeling herself, and she had a low grade fever, so I knew it was important for her to get a nap.  We debated about going to the Marsh house Wednesday night or waiting til Thursday but everyone said that they didn't care about E's fever.  So it was late, like 9 pm, but we made it to Katy, and put our kids to bed. 
We woke up Thursday and had a chill morning.  It was nice to not have to go anywhere or do anything.  I think we ate Thanksgiving Dinner around 2 pm and it was delicious.  I can't even remember all we had, but I remember the turkey, ham, sweet potato casserole, and mash potatoes.  After eating the meal, before dessert, we played Amazing Race Hantla style.  B and I have always coordinated family games for the holidays and this year was no different.  I planned each task and put together teams of 2 for the Amazing Race.  Ell and Aunt Mo won (but not really), and I think the true winners were Uncle Marcus and Wes. Everyone said they had a good time and unfortunately I don't have any pictures.  P/V helped B and I to judge and pass out the clues.  We even had a pit stop so we could set up more of the challenges.  It was cloudy and sprinkled a little bit, but that didn't stop anyone from trying their hardest.  After the Amazing race, we went for round 2 of eating and dessert.  The kids went to bed pretty much around 8:30 and then the adults stayed up watching football or maybe a movie.  I can't remember, but I'm sure I fell asleep either way. 

Friday morning came early and I woke up with the kids and got cereal for everyone.  B made it down stairs shortly after.  We all went to the elementary school mid-morning to play and get outside since it wasn't raining anymore and that was the best decision.  The kids played on the play ground, and we even got a soccer game started.  B, Kinsey, and I played against Marcus, Ethan, and Lauren.  After soccer, we got almost the whole family together for a kickball game, and it was equally as fun excited my team lost.  It was really nice to play outside. 

We headed back to the Marsh pad for lunch, and then our crew headed home because B had some papers to edit, and we needed to get R to Faith's house for the sleepover.  Faith had asked if R could spend the night and she had a surprise for R too.  Faith was giving R one of her American Girl Dolls and we knew that R would love that gift.  R had been saving up for a My Life Doll (Wal-mart's version of American Girl), so we knew that she would be excited.  After we dropped R off with Faith, we met the family at the Zoo for the Zoo Lights.  It was planned for Friday night and the weather held off until we left (11:00 pm) so we praised God for the good weather since rain was in the forecast for all night.  It was strange only having 3 kids to look out for instead of 4, but we all had a good time.  It was a super LATE night, and I think the kids finally got into bed around 11:45.  Needless to say, we were TIRED. 

Papaw surprised us with a ginger bread man to decorate

group selfie

Saturday, Rin was returned to us, and we got Lil' Joe because Faith had opera.  We met back up with the cousins at Katy Mills Mall to see a movie.  The kids all went to see the Good Dinosaur, and the adults went to see Mockingjay Part 2.   It was a good movie and bless Vicki for going with all the kids to see The Good Dinosaur.  We ate left overs at the Marsh Pad again before the OU game.  We headed home after the OU game and put the kids to bed.

Sunday was spent re-grouping and decorating the house for Christmas. 

B made this wreath for the door

New basket and smell-good pine cones

Ell's decorating spot