thanksgiving highlights

Thanksgiving was, as usual, a whirlwind weekend. But Danny and I agreed that it was our best trip back home since Chica was born. In many ways, it's just become easier the older she gets. Less stuff to haul around + more sleep at nights = better trip for the Hinton family.

The memories are too numerous to name, (especially when writing a post during Law & Order commercials) so I'll list a few that stand out/are triggered by Jack McCoy's closing argument.

1. The food. I contributed nothing to any of the feasts but it's my friend Blakely's theory that if you bring a grand baby to dinner, you're automatically exempt from cooking a side dish. I like her thinking.

2. Holding baby cousin. He's young enough to be a total snuggle bug yet old enough to look you in the eye. Precious baby.

Because he's the third born and adored by his older siblings, he's been thoroughly initiated into the physicality of toddler love. :) Therefore, as we passed him around, even Chica got a turn to hold him.A few minutes into her turn, she decided her arms were tired and she let go.

3. The Hinton Bowl. It's tradition for the family to partake in a football scrimmage at the local high school before lunch. It's the first-borns vs. everybody else and this year we even had t-shirts. We were hoping Chica would be able to run around a little bit, but the temperature was so bitterly cold, we barely made it onto the field when she was ready to leave.

We cheered on the family from the car with the heat blasting and the snacks flowing. The set-up was just fine by me. Since moving to the south, my cold weather tolerance isn't what it used to be.

4. The last picture we took for my mom's Christmas card. By that point, we were all thrilled the tedious picture taking process was over!

Eventually all the cousins smiled.

But I liked this shot a lot more. :)

5. A sweet conversation with my step-sister Grace. If we lived closer, we'd totally hang out.

6. Black Friday Shopping. Standing outside Kohl's at 2:50 in the morning in 18 degree weather. It separates the girls from the women. (Or the sane from the loonies, depending on how you look at it.) I see it as deals so good, the stores practically pay me to shop there. :)

7. Spending time with family. No family is perfect. But I'm thankful for the one God gave us. They've loved us well for a long time.

Happy Belated Thanksgiving Bloggers and remember, the people are represented by two separate, yet equally important groups. Add that to the list of things I'm thankful for. :)