So Thankful!

 We might start by saying . . . we are SO thankful that he will only look like this for just a little over one more week!  Just kidding! ; )  . . . maybe.  (grew his beard for the Cantata)

We are so blessed to be surrounded by family and friends . . . and for our family to be friends.

We are thankful for those small moments that bring a smile and guarantee a laugh . . . for the joy the Lord gives us in such abundance.

And we're thankful for the time to spend with extended family.  Thanksgiving day, most of the family was able to gather for Thanksgiving dinner at Uncle Gerald and Aunt Valerie's house.

So beautiful and festive, yet so comfortable and relaxed.

As always, there were plenty of goodies plus some.

Allison found her a nice cozy corner in which to relax.

Dig in! . . . well, said in a little more civilized manner, of course. : )

Family fun . . .

: )

After supper, everyone headed downstairs to decorate gingerbread houses.

Pa Paw and Ma Maw had a lot of entertainment as everyone busied themselves with their grand architecture. : )  Hey, it's only once a year that we get to decorate something exactly as we please and are allowed to blame it on creativity. : )

Madelyn was ready to get started!

I want some of this, and some of this, and . . .

He liked the candy idea! : )

SO thankful for parents who love the Lord and love us unconditionally!

We only put a couple of those gray hairs in Daddy's head, you know . . . : )

Organization

This can get to be serious business around here! : )

Such cute little gingerbread boys and girls!

Enamored with Nana's artwork

Teamwork

Hmmm . . . can you guess her decor???

The little ones were fun to watch . . . and to listen to . . . as they decorated.

Aunt Valerie was very brave this year.  Spray paint icing.  Sounds rather dangerous.

(Don't worry . . . this is posed.  The spraying only took place outside!)

Looks like he is rather enjoying the candy . . .

Finished!

Back Door

Aunt Crystal's very nice, cozy cottage . . .

and two precious gingerbread men.

Elizabeth's happy house

Laura's with a pretty, cool blue theme

Mom's gingerbread man-sion

Allison's exotic Zebra house

Claire made Cayden and Madelyn (respectively). See the blue eyes and green?

Sara even built a chimney for hers.

Valerie's little shanty

It didn't even belong in the same neighborhood as Christina's pristine blue. : )

Jon and Marie's even has an occupant!  So cute!

Keisha's Chapel Chimney House with a blowup penguin outside. : )

Such fun!!!!

Allison's . . . could we correctly conjecture that she has settled in "Chinatown"? : ) : )

Our little gingerbread village

We definitely do not take advantage of all the precious moments the Lord gives with family . . . the sweet memories of loving grandparents always there to give a hug, aunts that spoil us rotten and uncles that help them, cousins to laugh with . . . and get into trouble with as the occasion permits : ), parents and siblings to share life with, nieces to spoil . . .  God is SO good to us!!!!