Thanksgiving Week

I look forward every year to Thanksgiving and some great turkey & food but also for time with family that we do not see but once a year.  Ben and Laura (Michael's brother and his wife) live in Vermont and we do not get to see them but once a year.  It was a treat to be able to have them for dinner in our apartment as well as have Rebekah Lyons for dinner as she came in from Colorado!  Looks like we are the stable midwest ones for now. :)  We had a relaxing morning at home for once on Thanksgiving Day and then went to Papa and Mama Growl's house and with aunts, uncles and cousins for dinner- I made Gluten Free carrot casserole and Gluten Free pumpkin pie (Michael's favorite). 

Friday- Michael wanted to be at Half Price Books for their Black Friday sale at 7am- so we got up to a little layer of snow on the ground and we made it just in time for me to be the 100th person getting a $5.00 gift card- Michael was excited!  They spent 3 hours just in the bookstore alone- I ran to a few others stores.  Our day was not complete without a Kohls run, Skyline Chili lunch for Ben who does not have them in Vermont & Goodwill stop (they have a huge store in Cincy with 50% off everything the two days after Thanksgiving)

Thanksgiving Day- Michael got out his French Horn and played- it actually was my first time to hear him play an instrument he used to love and play very well in high school!  And he can still play by ear- amazing! 
Since Laura (Ben's wife) is expecting her 1st child in March- of course, the boys had to have pictures of themselves getting bigger- though I think it might just be from eating too much from the Thanksgiving turkey.  :)  Only brothers would be goofy like that.
We are blessed to think of all the things we are thankful for even as we enter this busy Christmas season!