Giving Thanks

It's been six days since Thanksgiving, and I think I've finally recovered. :)  Our 2nd annual Thanksgiving with the Stelsels, Parkers, and Kassenbrocks was a huge success! We had such a good time visiting together and feasting. I'm so glad we were able to bring all three families together again. And I'm thankful that we all get along so well as if we were one big family! :)

Things I've been especially thankful for this year:

• My amazing family. My parents who raised me right and taught me how to love. My husband who loves me for me (faults and all). My awesome friends who stand by me. My dog who makes me smile every day. My in-laws who are my second home. My sisters who gave me three beautiful nephews.
• My job. Petty, I know. But I'm thankful that I get paid to do something I love.
• Little blessings. If there's one thing I've learned this year it's to cherish all the happy moments in life, big and small. Too often I've been known to dwell on the not-so-happy moments, even the minor daily upsets. This year I've learned to take every day in stride and enjoy all the good things.

Time for family pictures! The Kassenbrocks.

The Stelsels.

The Parkers.

And here we are: one big, happy family! :)

What a feast! And this isn't even all of it!

Poor Chase waits patiently under the table while we eat. I did catch him trying to sniff out some crumbs in Kirk's lap. :)

This is what happens when you sit at the end of the table.

Ahhhh.... that's better!

And this is what happens when the beer starts flowing at noon.

Looks like David enjoyed his turkey leg.

We celebrated Thanksgiving at Kirk and Laura's again this year. Then on Friday we had a fish fry at our house. You heard right. It was 30 degrees outside, but we had a good 'ol Parker style fish fry. Dad cooked up some of his fish he caught this year, Mom and I made hushpuppies, and we chowed down on the rest of the Thanksgiving leftovers. Lindsay, Russell, and Corwin joined us for the fish fry, too, so we had quite a house full!

We all had a great time all weekend, but no one more than Chase. Chase couldn't get enough of all the attention. I think he had snuggle time with just about everyone.

Hope your Thanksgivings were just as great! Happy holidays!

Categories: family time, life or something like it