Monday, November 26, 2012

Thanksgiving and Christmas Preparations

We had a nice Thanksgiving with most of our kids home for the weekend, and friends over to share the day.  Megan hasn't been home for the past two Thanksgivings, as she is in medical school and doesn't usually have the time off. This year she was able to make it home. It was so nice to have her here. Emily was also able to come home from school and her boyfriend, Michael, came with her. We were glad he could come. We had a houseful  -- I think 31 people. It was a lovely day and I think we all enjoyed it. 

Thanksgiving also marks the time we start bringing out the Christmas decorations. I love pulling everything out and going through it. The kids love helping and they all have ideas for decorating their rooms. So we now start decorating and preparing our hearts for Christmas. This is one of my favorite times of the year. I had been hoping that Bella and Sophia (Allysen) would celebrate this Christmas with us, but it was not to be. I'm sad they can't be here, but know that it won't be much longer and we will be bringing them home. I will use this time before they come to prepare for them. I am just thankful that we have been given the opportunity to love them and teach them and share our family with them. I am so thankful. 

Bethany with Megan



Our son, Michael, who did a lot of the cooking



Michael, Bethany and Megan





Sarah loves to play with Megan's stethoscope

























































The day after Thanksgiving a bunch of our kids ended up on my bed. 














































































The Saturday after Thanksgiving we always get our Christmas tree.







8 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures...as always! We loved looking at them and reading about your holiday weekend. Maybe we'll travel at the same time in January.

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    1. That's right -- we will both be traveling around the same time. I hadn't thought of that. Maybe we will at least be at the Budapest a night or two together. Are you traveling alone?

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    2. I'll be traveling with my son (19). Will you have help?

      It would be so fun to see some other families while in the country!

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    3. My 16 year old daughter will be traveling with me. She has never been out of the country so she is pretty excited about going to help.

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  2. Gorgeous pictures. I love all the fun times you capture. The girls always look so happy and stylish too! Some time you should do a run down of the kids' ages and names.

    Sue H.

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    1. Thanks, Sue. I keep meaning to list all the kids and their names and just never seem to get around to it. One day I will get it done.

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  3. Beautiful pictures of a beautiful family!

    So, a quick question about Allysen's name: how do you pronounce it? As written, phonetically, it's ALLY-sen, which I've never heard before. Or is it supposed to be Alison (AL-eh-son)? I've been scratching my head. :P

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    1. We have always pronounced it like "Alison" but since it is not her real name --only a name given her by RR -- we have actually never asked how it is pronounced. RR gives children a different name to protect their identity . We are naming her Sophia.

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