giving thanks

*Just FYI, this post was started on 11/29 & I've been updating it piece by piece during my "free time" haha I did have good intentions!*

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving all of the Byington clan had arrived in town, so a dinner was planned to celebrate G-mother's birthday (Cullen's grandmother) which was the Thursday before. It was great to have everyone around the same table, because that rarely happens with people scattered all over!

I jokingly said to Cullen that we should get G-mother a Snuggie. However, I wasn't totally joking... I have a Snuggie and LOVE it. Wear it all the time. So I started thinking that that might actually be a good idea! So we got it for her, and she loved it too. She said that she barely got in the door that night before she had it on!

This year the Walker side of the family decided to do Thanksgiving on Wednesday (early dinner) so that we wouldn't all be so rushed on Thursday. It really worked out nicely! On Wednesday, I had to work for a little while and then I got to pick up Madelyne from school. She was so excited! We came home and hung out and got the macaroni and cheese and deviled eggs cooked up to take to the dinner that night. It was really fun & sweet having her in the kitchen with me. She loves to help cook! Can you believe I didn't take any pictures of us in the kitchen??

There was tons of beautiful and delicious food. My mom prepared this great fruit tray. Isn't it fabulous?? And that's her famous scratch-made cranberry sauce in the background. Waking up to the smell of it and the sounds of the cranberries popping was always one of my favorite things about Thanksgiving and Christmas morning growing up!


Yummm...my pants are still feeling a little tight.


Family gathered around the table catching up on life after we stuffed ourselves


Love this sweet picture of Kelley & Bennett


After dinner there was more fun to be had.
Can't even count how many little children (including myself) have loved been spun around in this foyer over the past 24 years. Bennett is no exception! Even when Cullen stopped, Bennett started walking himself around in circles using his hands & feet and then looking at us and laughing when he couldn't stand up. It was pretty cute.

Madelyne spontaneously narrated a "program" for everyone that she came up with on the spot. So out of character for her to stand up in front of a bunch of people and speak! She gathered her "group of [pretend] children" (she was the teacher, of course) up on "the risers" for the performance. Please note that "babies (including Bennett) had to be placed on the first row." I have a great video of her explaining what the program was about. She's going to love it one day...priceless. Then she even said the Lord's Prayer for us. It was so sweet!
Bennett had fun running around, jumping off of things, and just being a boy. He doesn't stop...ever!

Never devoid of electronics, we somehow ended up watching funny youtube videos. And then Madelyne & Bennett had to text their friends... ok, ok, so they were playing games. It's hard to have a family gathering without some technology these days.

On Thursday, we celebrated with the Byington side for a late lunch. That morning it was nice to be able to sleep in a little and watch the Macy's parade. It's one of my favorite traditions. Then I got to fixing a mandarin orange salad, peanut butter pie, & bread to take.

This is not even all of the food, there was a whole 'nother counter full of casseroles in the kitchen!

It was a beautiful day outside and chilly enough to wear a coat... my favorite weather!

Allison & Jordan had a blast throwing the football around.

The Byington girls (yes, Cullen has 3 sisters & he's the only boy!)

Love this picture

It was beautiful weather for making pictures of beautiful kids...

...and beautiful pets!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday - no stress of finding the "perfect gift" for everyone, and a lot of eating and just hanging out with family! This year brought another great one.

We are so thankful for every single person in our families. Words can't express how grateful I am for the many blessings that God has given us through our friends, our jobs, different opportunities, our location, each other...and the list goes on and on. I hope the rest of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are ready to share your blessings with others during this upcoming Christmas season just as God shared His only son with us!