Friday, November 24, 2006

Thanksgiving with the Georges

Thanksgiving with the Georges....Mark's parents moved back to Arizona this summer so this is the first family gathering in their new home. They set up 3 long tables in the family room and we fit 10-12 people around each table. I didn't get a shot of the table I was at, but it was a full house. We ate till we could eat no more...then we ate pie. So wishin' I had worn my stretchy pants. Cole got sick on Thanksgiving morning and had bad things coming out of every part of his body at least a dozen times, so him and Mark stayed home, which was sad. Cole cried because he wanted to go so bad, but knew that he couldn't. Mark stayed home and ate frozen pizza while Cole slept on the landing in front of the bathroom door so that he wouldn't have to run far. Not such a fun day for the two of them. I did bring home food for Mark that he ate later that night, but it's just not the same...know what I mean?

Gotta love Mark's dad. He always does the dishes. It's so nice of him and the women really appreciate it after cooking all day. Thanks Ray! Mark's mom is a great cook and she can feed a crowd with ease. I appreciate all the work she put into making it a special day for the family. After dinner the adults hung out trying to let their food settle while the kids went outside to play. I think they had the right idea...work off the meal. I thought I'd share some pictures of all the younger kids that were there.
This is Olivia who is so pretty, yet never ever smiles for pictures. I only caught this smile because she didn't know I was taking the picture.
Here is sweet baby Carter who is Olivia's little brother. He just turned one and loved playing with my lens cap.
How cute is she??? Kaitlyn is the youngest grandchild and looks just like her beautiful Mom, MaryAnn (Mark's sister)
Jaron and Adrienne...the very adorable older brother and sister to Kaitlyn. These kids are sweethearts!
Baby Mark...the first great grandchild in the family. He was so good all day. It was the first time for alot of the family to see him. Of course they all loved him to pieces. How could they not.
Mark and I got up this morning to start our Christmas shopping. The alarm went off at 4:00 and I just couldn't get out of bed. I had an upset stomach and I was beyond exhausted from only getting 3 1/2 hours of sleep the night before and barely any sleep that night because my stomach hurt. I like my full 8 hours of sleep and don't do well on anything less. So I fell back to sleep and got up at 6:15 and we were in Target by 7:00...late, but who cares. It not like when our kids were small and easy to shop for, plus we are on a tighter Christmas budget this year, so we are really simplifying it. I know we can still have a wonderful Christmas without spending a small fortune. There is so much more to Christmas than presents, and to me the season is so much more special than the day itself. I will make it a nice and fun season for my family. We also got together with a bunch of the family and went bowling today. I can't believe I'm sore from that. I'm such a wimp! I haven't started to decorate or even get stuff out, but Brittany did find the red paint today so we will be painting in the morning when we feel better and are well rested...then the tree will go up. I'm so excited to decorate. I can't wait to see all of your festive homes too. For now I'm going to bed. I promise to catch up on my blog reading. I look forward to seeing what you've all been up to. For those of you who don't have blogs, feel free to email me your holiday pictures. I'd love to see them. :o)

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh poor Cole and Mark, hope Cole's feeling better. Looks like you had a great time and the children are all so cute. Have a good weekend.

Missy Glave said...

I'm so glad you were able to enjoy your big extended family for Thanksgiving. Poor Cole ... I can only imagine how bad he felt about missing out on Thanksgiving. And Mark ... what a dad! Shopping at 4:00 am?? I've never, ever done that before. I can totally relate to cutting back financially on gifts ... it's so important for us all to remember what Christmas is all about.

Anonymous said...

Your poor son, how awful. Stomach bugs suck!

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you guys had a great Thanksgiving. And I hope Cole is feeling better now, poor guy.

Pam said...

Wonderful photos! Such sweeties! So sorry Cole was sick! So nice of Mark to let you go while he stayed home! What a guy he is!

I got most of my decorations done, DH needs to do the lights and we get the tree next weekend so it will actually still be alive on xmas! LOL!

Valerie said...

dang - you really had a full day, sister!! poor Coley...i'm hoping he's better & that whatever he's got doesn't get shared with the rest of the family...kudos to Mark for staying home with the poor sick boy!!

i can't believe you went shopping on Black Friday! i used to, but lately, i'm getting so ticked off at people & the whole "it's all about me & to heck with you" attitude that i just can't stand to be around 'em. At least not in large groups!!

Chickenbells said...

you guys look like you had a great time...I'm so sorry for the sickie boy though! Good for you for simplifying this year, it's hard to do isn't it? I just put my favorite holiday music in the car yesterday...that is one way to really celebrate the season without spending a small fortune...I think we can just support each other on that one! My mom says she remembers going into debt every year because of the holidays...and thinking back, it's just such a silly thought. Paying off Christmas until Feb. is something I'm not willing to do anymore!

PS...the kids in the family are too cute aren't they? I used to love the bigger family gatherings we had when I was little and we lived close to family.

Susie Q said...

Happy Thanksgiving Jolene! I am so enjoying your blog everyday. I am new to blogging and so enjoy reading your and those of the friends who stop by yours! I hope you will all visit me sometine!
What a wonderful big family! Our is small but noisy! : )
I am so sorry about poor Cole and Cole and Mark missing the festivities. Hope all is better now.
I will beback daily to read your delightful blog. Thank you for it.
Hugs to all here...
Fondly,
Sue C.

Nonie said...

Hope your son is feeling better. Cant wait to see your pictures.

Anonymous said...

Your poor son wha bad timing. I cat wait till next weekend to get started putting stuff up.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Andi said...

What a lovely family and what adorable children! Looks like you had a good Thanksgiving. Sorry to hear Cole had the "bug". Hope he's feeling better now.

Looking forward to seeing how the red paint looks on the wall!!!

Amie said...

Wow, The photo's are great, The kids parents will be so happy to have such nice photo's of there kids. I am just loving reading your blog thanks for sharing.
Amie

Anonymous said...

You got way better pictures than I got at my house. I'm looking forward to doing some scrapping in the next few days. Is Cole feeling better?

Wendy said...

Jolene,

Looks like you had a wonderful family holiday, and that's what it is all about.

Sorry to hear your son was ill, hope he is feeling better.

Happy Holidays.
Are you finished with your cards yet? LOL

Anonymous said...

Jolene:

I'm so sorry to hear about Cole. Is he feeling better?

My sweet potato pies were a HIT. I haven't lost my touch. My friends were amazed, because someone like me with no kids, no husband, and always has her hair and nails done, must NOT know how to cook. People crack me up!!! I believe in pampering myself, but I do know how to cook!

I went to Chandler Fashion. There's nothing at the mall - absolutely NOTHING.

Did you find any bargains?

Honeyed Hashette said...

No wonder you need NINE desserts! How many people can you fit in one house! Your pictures are great= the true meaning of Thanksgiving!

Poor Cole! There is absolutely nothing worse than being sick on the holidays. I hope he is feeling better!