Memories in the Making: Thanksgiving 2014

The youngest: Nolan (2) Luella (3) and NonaJane (2)

We took the Acadia on it's first big trip just 2 short days after purchasing it! We headed out on Monday evening towards Wisconsin, but decided to make a two day trip out of it and stopped in Iowa at a hotel. The kids had a blast swimming in the pool, we all enjoyed a good nights sleep and a pretty darn good complimentary breakfast. We were able to make it to Mark and Katie's by 1:30 on Tuesday! It was definitely a calmer Thanksgiving this year with no babies in the house. In fact, there weren't even any diapers in the house! All grandkids are potty trained, eating real food, and sleeping in big kid beds. But no worries, baby Matthew will change that up for next Thanksgiving.

Clearly having a stressful day… not

Katie, as usual, cooked a delicious spread every day. We had the classic Thanksgiving Feast on Wednesday, and enjoyed the leftovers on Thursday. I think my favorite this year was actually the Turkey! It was super good! We watched our usual "Christmas Vacation" and also managed to see "Home Alone" as well as "Elf". Jack refused to watch "Home Alone" because he doesn't like the part where the burglars go thru a string of injuries. Particularly the part where he steps on the nail. I'll chalk it up to him having a tender heart. But am thinking he went a little far with that one. Anyways, as I'm sure you can tell, it was a very stressful few days :) There was a nice amount of alcohol, games, and laughter. (I can still only imagine the stress though of being a host to 8 adults and 8 kids for 3-4 days!) We continue to be so thankful to Mark and Katie for hosting Thanksgiving each year. I believe this was the 5th year?? All I know is that the entire Crabb family looks forward to Thanksgiving each year… in all honesty it just might be my favorite holiday. What is better than the entire clan coming together, the simplicity of food, relaxation, and time together?

Family movie night. Nolan and NonaJane on the floor. Then from left to right is Adam, Me, Jack, Julie, Luella, Katie, Hudson, Mema, Henry, Ethan, Michael, and Everett

Things weren't always as calm in the "kid zone"

The miniatures table

Mark carving the turkey

Wisconsin had some beautiful snow fall while we were there, and the kids played outdoors twice a day. I was excited that Jack and NonaJane got some time in the snow, seeing as we haven't had any yet back in Kansas.

Everett even got an honest to goodness STRIKE!

On Wednesday when Katie was in the midst of major cooking, we cleared the house out by taking half the household to see a movie, and the other half went bowling. We were part of the bowling crew. My parents and Everett chose to come with us, which I was pretty excited about. I haven't had much opportunity to have time with Everett, and he was excellent company!
We made the journey home on Friday, and it was pretty darn smooth sailing for a 9 1/2 hour trip! Would you believe that NonaJane wore big girl undies the whole car trip there, all week, and the whole trip home without a single incident. I think she has got the real hang of it :)