Giving Thanks

We had a different type of Thanksgiving this year. We didn't have turkey, we didn't have ham and we ate at 9:00 am. We had a Breakfast Thanksgiving over at mom's. Unconventional: yes. Stressful: no. It was perfect and if we hadn't planned on making a surprise run to Grandma Bricker's we would have done it in our pajamas.

We certainly didn't need to sit around a twenty pound turkey in order to remind us what we're thankful for.




And apparently you can actually achieve a "turkey coma" without consuming any turkey. Go figure.



After Dustin and Ella got their beauty sleep we headed to Victor, Iowa. Dustin's grandmother lives on a farm there with an aunt and uncle. We arrived just as they were finishing dinner so we arrived just in time for dessert and visiting!

The kids played Foosball most of the time we were there and the adults stayed upstairs to visit. That is, until Lauren and Josh realized what an adventure Grandma's house is. They were running in circles and playing hide and go seek until they were both sweating and out of breath.

And that was our cue to leave - while they're still having fun but right before they terrorize the place.

We had to head home so I could get to bed at a good time because Gretchen and I were heading out on Black Friday.

I have only ventured out on Black Friday one other time. Well, I take that back. I've done Black Friday before but every other time it was from the OTHER side of the counter. Lets just say that we certainly learned a few things.

#1 - Best Buy Black Friday people are a breed of their own. And I'd love to see a throwdown between a person at Black Friday shopper from Best Buy, Menard's and Wal-mart. I'm not sure who I'd put my money on.

#2 - There is no deal worth getting to Old Navy at 3:00 am.

#3 - Kohl's never fails to disappoint me with good deals.

#4 - There is no deal worth waiting in line at Old Navy for two hours.

Yes, we did #2 and #4. And here's my proof.



The line wrapped around the store three times. Unreal.

And after an entire morning of shopping I can say that I am just about done with my Christmas shopping. And after an entire afternoon of wrapping, I can say that I am just about done with my wrapping.

Each gift for a person I am thankful for.

And several gifts to three people for whom I am most thankful for.

Three little people. Three people who make me laugh. Three people who make me cry. And three people who constantly remind me how blessed I am.




My cup runneth over.