Thanksgiving 2010

Gratitude is a state of heart. For some it comes as naturally as breathing and it is just as important. Gratitude can change your life for the better. If all of us counted at least some of our blessings everyday, we would live happier, more productive lives. The simple practice of enumerating your blessings on a daily basis makes you instantly more empathetic to others who may struggle or have less. Wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if we were more grateful, more joyful, and more compassionate? Let's work on that, shall we? 

10 things I'm grateful for this Thanksgiving:

1.  My wonderfully patient, loving husband

2.  My daughters; talented and beautiful Brinlee and bright, sweet, good-hearted, beautiful McKenna

3.  My granddaughter; beautiful, sweet, Kimber, the red-headed wonder (Love that hair!)

4.  Two fabulous son-in-laws, Kyle and Adam, who treat my daughters so well

5.  My health

6.  Knowledge of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and the gospel

7.  This wonderful country and the freedoms we enjoy

8.  Our military, all those brave men and women who make such great sacrifices to keep us safe

9.  A home to keep me warm (that is when Rayzin will let me turn on the heater..haha), food in my belly, and clothes on my back. These are things that many live without much of the time.

10. A sense of humor

Now, for some of the Thanksgiving high jinks:

 Me, the pie Nazi. Shape up or no pie for you!

 McKenna attempting her first-ever cherry pie. It was DELISH (for cherry).

 Adam and McKenna ready to head out to the Herpel celebration.

 If you see these two together, get ready for some true tomfoolery!

 Me playing with the cat while McKenna put up most of my Christmas lights outside. She's a lifesaver and she's even promised to do this for me "forever". LOL!

    

Me actually working. Never let it be said that I don't do yard work.

 McKenna and Ray have a little tradition that they didn't get to do this year due to the early snow. They usually go out and cut a tree in the "wild" but this year Ray bought one, hence the "domesticated" tree as McKenna calls it.

Putting on the lights. I hate this job so have "delegated" it to the future generation. Thanks, Ken! 

And TA-DA, the finished product. I love Christmas trees! Thanks, Kenna! Sorry we had to work so much of the weekend getting those decorations up. I guess that's what happens when you work and go to school, huh?

Unc and Aunt Kathy join us for Thanksgiving this year. This was their "off" year when their two boys are visiting the in-laws for Thanksgiving and we were the fortunate to have them with us. Unc brought his yummy rolls and Aunt Kathy brought a scrumpuous grape salad and her traditional chocolate dessert. It was so nice to get to have a good, long visit with Aunt Kathy. We had lots to catch up on and it's always fun spending time with her. The only thing she's NOT good at is letting us take her picture. :)   

All in all, it was a peaceful, wonderful, fun-filled Thanksgiving with a focus on family and blessings.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the time spent together. We will cherish it always.

On a sad side-note, if you're wondering why no pictures of our Morris branch of the family, Brinlee and family were not in our midst over the Thanksgiving weekend. It was a terrible misunderstanding and we hope they will be back with us soon. We missed our little red-headed whirlwind.