Thanksgiving in Mountain Home

We drove from New Orleans straight to Mtn. Home and got in late Monday night. We were happy to be there and exhausted from a quick trip with lots of driving. 

On Tuesday, we hung out at Nanny and Papa's with the Drake cousins. Uncle David and Aunt Michelle and the Allreds were not there yet and so we just had a chill day. I did some laundry and we got all the groceries ordered and delivered from Thanksgiving and the rest of the week. Papa went to his last day of work and that evening after the Allreds arrived, we all went to Papa's office to pick him up for his last day of school. We decided we needed to dance him out for his last day. We gathered all his employees and we made a tunnel with our arms and Papa went through the tunnel dancing. It was so great. 

On Wednesday we celebrated Papa's retirement and his birthday. 

We had a big retirement party at the office and invited all his clients, friends and church associates.
There was a great turnout and I think Papa really felt loved. 
We are so proud of both Nanny and Papa. They have worked so hard and now they are both retired and can enjoy the rest of their days together.  

That night for Papa's birthday we made Papa's favorite meal- Tacos, enchiladas and tostadas. 

It was definitely a team effort but it was worth it. 
While we cooked, Uncle Johnny and Benson played Ramen Yahtzee and Benson dominated him. 

Benson was quite pleased with himself. 

It was also not unusual to find Chris and Tanner playing a game together. 

That night we gave Papa his presents and celebrated his 65th birthday. He made it and we couldn't be more excited for him to be retired. 

Nanny and Papa also gave each of us girls a new scarf that they got on their most recent cruise. They are so pretty and soft. 

Thursday morning was Thanksgiving and it found all of us in prep mode. 
I was in charge of rolls and pies, as well as helping with some side dishes. 

Uncle Johnny led the kids in the traditional "turkey bowl" football game. 

The kids had a great time playing together.

 

Bailey and Hazel morphed into "Bazel" again and they were sharing one jacket and trying to run and do everything together. It was pretty adorable. I love that even though Bailey is very much a teenager, she still loves her younger cousins. 

Uncle Joseph brought his little dog with them this year and I think everyone fell in love with her. Her name is Sky and she's tiny and loves to be held. It was pretty cute to find kids holding her, basically all the time. 

Our Thanksgiving meal was delicious and with everyone's help, it went really smoothly. 

 

After getting dinner cleaned up, some of us adults left to go watch "Wicked- Part 1"

I have been so stinkin' excited to see "Wicked". I've seen the musical three times and I love it so much. 

The movie was phenomenal. I loved it. I can't wait to take my kids to see it. 

We got home late from the movie and the kids were asleep when we got back. 

Friday morning we took our traditional Christmas pajamas pictures. 
I love that I got one with my parents this year. 

And getting a picture with all the grandkids is getting easier. 
The biggest challenge we face these days is trying to figure out how to fit everyone. The kids are all getting so big. 

Friday afternoon we took family pictures to commemorate Nanny and Papa's retirement. 
Nanny retired about 2 years ago but now that Papa is officially retired, it feels more real. 
I love this family of mine. 

Friday night the adults spent about an hour building an awesome fort for the kids. 
Nanny and Papa gave the kids their "basement gift" early this year and all week they have been building forts. On the last night, the adults decided to show them how it's done and we built them a massive fort. 
They loved it. 

Papa also rewarded everyone for taking awesome pictures by making his famous "Papa Shakes". 

These are always a hit and they are a pretty great incentive for basically anything the kids don't want to do. 

The kids had one last sleepover together on Friday night. 
Saturday morning the Allreds and the Colorado Drakes left to drive home. They left early before everyone was awake. 
The Texas Drakes left shortly after we were all awake and then it was just us and Aunt Laura. 
We cleaned up and packed up and headed home. 

We had a great time in Mtn. Home and it was a wonderful Thanksgiving. 

We had so many wonderful things to celebrate and it was a great week. 

I can hardly believe that it's almost December now. It's going to be a wild month. 
Chris leaves tomorrow for his last session of Public Affairs school in Virginia. 
Wish us luck. We are going to be busy!