Happy Thanksgiving!

Seasons Greetings everyone and get ready, because Christmas is just around the corner!! But for now, let's start with Thanksgiving. We begin our journey, and yes, it is called a journey because it was a multi-city adventure tallying up nearly 1500 miles (2200km). We left home and first drove to Cleveland, Mississippi, where we spent three days at the Tedford's, our cousins from our Dampaw's side of the family. This is the second year in a row that we have spent three days of the Thanksgiving week there and think this might turn into a tradition, even though it takes 6 hours to get there...lol. We were so excited to see everyone and once again were warmly welcomed by Lee, David, Ms. Lois, Jessica, Joyce and Robin. Above is a picture of the whole group. You will notice how tightly Lee is holding on to Julia and Joana because after three days of cuddling and holding them, she was not ready to let them go. They miss you too, Lee, so come and see us soon!

The highlight of our stay is every evening, which is spent outside in the cold, around a huge fire pit, holding a drink and laughing until our tummies hurt because Joyce, Lee and others just can't stop telling jokes or funny stories. The boys had a chance to go deer hunting and had no luck spotting a deer....but Jessica did, a four-point buck which she nailed with one shot...HAH!! Go girl!! Anyway, the boys were excited that Jessica got here first deer and they spent the rest of the week shooting at targets. Even Joana shot a rifle....yup, that's right. She sat on Dampaw's lap and was cheered on by cousin Tyler and Daddy before she pulled the trigger. After she

sot the rifle, she turned and said: "Daddy I shot it!!"

We enjoyed Dampaw's crawfish stew and fried shrimp, and were spoiled by Aunt Lois and Maw Maw O with their breakfast bonanza every morning. Great-grandmothers are gifted in spoiling everyone with their good cooking. Here is an adorable picture of the girls with Mawmaw O and Ms. Lois on her birthday, a day before Thanksgiving.

We even had time to take the girls to a picture studio to take their first formal Christmas pictures together. You will see those on next month's blog.

One of the funnies moments there was capture in the video below. Ms. Lois's house has a ramp that goes from the carport to the entrance of the house. Well, the girls thought the ramp was a slide as used it as such. Check it out...lol

After three days, we were off to New Orleans to spend the rest of the Thanksgiving week with Namaw & Steve, Ti-Ti Jen & Dylan, Uncle Bill & Uncle Roland, Nanny & Uncle Terry, Muggy & Nicole, Maw Maw and lots of other family members. We had Thanksgiving dinner at Maw Maw's house and everyone was there. It was great! Uncle Bill gave daddy a really cool Saints Super Bowl poster along with some other Who-Dat goodies....Awesome! Daddy made his world famous Who-Dat Gumbo, Maw Maw put together her amazingly delicious Rice Dressing, and Nanny baked up a box full of Pecan Pies. Julia loved the gumbo and the pecan pies, which was all she wanted to eat for three days straight. Nanny should be happy to know that the pecan pies were gone before we made back home...mmm! The girls loved spending time with everyone, especially Namaw and Maw Maw. Namaw played hide and seek, chase, and peek-a-boo with Joana & Julia. Maw Maw played horsey with them by bouncing them up and down on her legs, which is pretty good for a 75 year old biddy. Below is a picture of Julia after waking up being spoiled again by Namaw and Pawpaw Steve.

After three days there, we were off to Texas again....and seven hours later, we arrived home safe and sound. Thank heavens for the DVD player and the Dora DVD because without them,....it would have taken us twice as long to get home. Julia looked pretty tired, don't you think?

Now it's time to deck the halls, decorate the tree and get ready for Christmas. We will spend it here at home and we can't wait to see what Santa will bring the girls. I hope this coming Christmas will be full of Joy & Cheer and many great surprises for everyone. See you next month!