Thanksgiving in Mississippi was wonderful! The week flew by (can't believe we're in the midst of the Christmas season now!) but we are grateful for the special time we were able to spend with my family. The ride down - as always - was long. We prepared with a host of new Thomas the Train and Barbie movies for the twins, which helped keep them occupied for a little while. Evie Claire was a trooper - she slept nearly the entire ride and never made a fuss (how in the world did we get so lucky?!). Kendal and I passed the time with the "Glee" soundtrack (love it!) and some books on CD and plenty of caffeine!
On our first morning, Kendal, Evie and I were able to worship together at an Episcopal church in Hattiesburg that my friend Susan's mom attends. Miss Rosalie was a worship leader that Sunday and we had a great time celebrating Christ the King Sunday with her. That afternoon we got the sad news that our friend Toney McMillan had passed away, so Kendal got back in the car and returned to Arkansas to prepare for his memorial service. The kids and I were a little shaken to suddenly be without Kendal, but we had plenty to keep us busy.
The most special were our visits with Mama Diket, my grandmother who has always been one of my very best friends. To have her spend time with my kids and hold Evie was a gift I'll always treasure. We also got to spend a lot of time with my parents (the kids LOVE their GanGan and Big Daddy!), my sister Anna and her fiancee Matt. My mom prepared some of our favorite meals, including Leatha's barbeque and a full Thanksgiving Part II meal on Friday! Just like my grandmother, my mom shows her love for others through her hospitality and amazing cooking - not good for trying to lose the post-baby weight but much appreciated nonetheless! We all spent tons of time playing with the kids, trying to coax them into naps (to no avail!) and enjoying the too rare time together.
We also got to spend some precious time with a number of my oldest friends. My BF Susan was in from Chicago and we got to see her nearly every day of our trip. Our visits were very laid back - we just around the house - but I was so happy we coordinated our holiday trips home. I am looking very forward to the day we can take the family to visit her in Chicago and take Carlisle and Evie on a special date to the American Girl store on Michigan Ave! We also got to see Kelly (a great friend from high school) and his daughter Sarah - she's a beauty and the same age as the twins!
The kids and I also got to spend an afternoon with my oldest friend Emily (we met when we were just 3!) and her three kids. We had a chaotic play-date at the park and quickly decided it was a better idea to take the party to her house. Her precious girls were so sweet to the twins and to Evie and her new baby (Jac) is as handsome as can be.
For Thanksgiving Day, we all loaded into the car and headed to Lauren to my Uncle Ed and Aunt Read's house. Spending Thanksgiving in their home was the norm when I was growing up and it was a treat to bring my kids there and spend the day with family we too rarely see. I missed my cousin Tally so badly - she was always my "partner in crime" growing up but she couldn't made t in from Cali for the holiday. Instead, the twins got to play with their cousins - they all took our place at the kids' table! After lunch, it was time for another tradition - a walk to the park! My dad and Uncle Ed always walked Tally and I to the park after dinner and it was our turn to carry on the tradition. The weather was perfect as we set out - my dad (Big Daddy), Anna and Matt, Uncle Ed, his grandkids (Madison, Cam and Caleb) and the twins enjoyed the short walk to the playground and got to spend some time swinging and sliding.
*The picture I included is one from a Thanksgiving during my high school years - some of the faces at the '09 meal have changed but the gathering was as special as ever.
Here's just a cute pic of Evie Claire I wanted to include - she's all bundled up for the first cold December night in Arkansas. Too precious, I love this little girl more than I ever imagined possible! She is truly a perfect child - rarely cries, sleeps like an angel, is already cooing and beginning to really smile when she looks into your face. She loves staring at light, she's just mesmerized by it and it makes you appreciate life's simple beauties as you watch this small child's amazment!
Thanksgiving in Mississippi was wonderful! The week flew by (can't believe we're in the midst of the Christmas season now!) but we are grateful for the special time we were able to spend with my family. The ride down - as always - was long. We prepared with a host of new Thomas the Train and Barbie movies for the twins, which helped keep them occupied for a little while. Evie Claire was a trooper - she slept nearly the entire ride and never made a fuss (how in the world did we get so lucky?!). Kendal and I passed the time with the "Glee" soundtrack (love it!) and some books on CD and plenty of caffeine!
The most special were our visits with Mama Diket, my grandmother who has always been one of my very best friends. To have her spend time with my kids and hold Evie was a gift I'll always treasure. We also got to spend a lot of time with my parents (the kids LOVE their GanGan and Big Daddy!), my sister Anna and her fiancee Matt. My mom prepared some of our favorite meals, including Leatha's barbeque and a full Thanksgiving Part II meal on Friday! Just like my grandmother, my mom shows her love for others through her hospitality and amazing cooking - not good for trying to lose the post-baby weight but much appreciated nonetheless! We all spent tons of time playing with the kids, trying to coax them into naps (to no avail!) and enjoying the too rare time together. 
The kids and I also got to spend an afternoon with my oldest friend Emily (we met when we were just 3!) and her three kids. We had a chaotic play-date at the park and quickly decided it was a better idea to take the party to her house. Her precious girls were so sweet to the twins and to Evie and her new baby (Jac) is as handsome as can be.
For Thanksgiving Day, we all loaded into the car and headed to Lauren to my Uncle Ed and Aunt Read's house. Spending Thanksgiving in their home was the norm when I was growing up and it was a treat to bring my kids there and spend the day with family we too rarely see. I missed my cousin Tally so badly - she was always my "partner in crime" growing up but she couldn't made t in from Cali for the holiday. Instead, the twins got to play with their cousins - they all took our place at the kids' table! After lunch, it was time for another tradition - a walk to the park! My dad and Uncle Ed always walked Tally and I to the park after dinner and it was our turn to carry on the tradition. The weather was perfect as we set out - my dad (Big Daddy), Anna and Matt, Uncle Ed, his grandkids (Madison, Cam and Caleb) and the twins enjoyed the short walk to the playground and got to spend some time swinging and sliding. *The picture I included is one from a Thanksgiving during my high school years - some of the faces at the '09 meal have changed but the gathering was as special as ever.
Here's just a cute pic of Evie Claire I wanted to include - she's all bundled up for the first cold December night in Arkansas. Too precious, I love this little girl more than I ever imagined possible! She is truly a perfect child - rarely cries, sleeps like an angel, is already cooing and beginning to really smile when she looks into your face. She loves staring at light, she's just mesmerized by it and it makes you appreciate life's simple beauties as you watch this small child's amazment!
We have been busy - clearly too busy to post anything but, luckily, not too busy for me to take some pictures along the way! While all three kids are sleeping, I'll try to update the blog...
