Another wonderful Thanksgiving!

After traveling back from Texas for the Kerr Thanksgiving, we did a quick turnaround in RH before traveling up to the Farm to meet with all of the other Sassers and extended family.  Fortunately I had made and frozen a lot of dishes while in Dublin for the Antique Fair, so my job to prepare for Thanksgiving was relatively easy.  That meant I got to relax and enjoy the time 

We had some delicious food! Between James' infrared fried turkey, all the sides, and a delicious cheesecake made by Nicole's grandmother...whew, we were stuffed.

The kiddos love having all their cousins together and I know Gia loves having all her grandkids together.  They played and played and played.

And Tilly was in the middle of all the action, too! When she wasn't being the laziest puppy... 

The boys all wanted to hunt on Thanksgiving night and I got to spend some time with JB in the stand. This was my first time to hunt with him and we had a great time. He didn't scold me for noise as much as his daddy does... :)

I did not go on the early morning hunts, otherwise known as "nap time" for the Sasser men.

That wrapped up a wonderful Thanksgiving season and then we moved IMMEDIATELY into Christmas (as Thanksgiving fell late this year!)  

Kerr Thanksgiving Celebration

This year we celebrated two Thanksgiving Feasts with both sides of our families, flying to Texas and back and then driving to Dublin (and back).  The week may have felt a little crazy, but it was worth it.

After losing our dear Uncle Bob in October, the Kerr family decided to gather together the weekend before Thanksgiving for a full family meal together, like so many Thanksgivings in the past.  This brought back so many memories!  From both my childhood, young adulthood, and those first Thanksgivings when the children were small and we spent time with the Kerrs in Houston and Kingwood. I remember on those earlier (like 2013-2018) trips thinking "is this ever going to get easier???" (as we lugged double strollers and three massive car seats and multiple suitcases...while carrying small children on hips and in carriers) and I can report that IT DOES.  We had such an easy trip, with the kids taking care of themselves, carrying their own luggage, occupying themselves on the flight, etc. (Wesley did not actually carry his own booster seat, instead forcing a parent or sibling to haul it around the airport, but...third child...)

But back to this year - the whole Kerr crew were in attendance to celebrate the holiday, remember Uncle Bob and love on Aunt Judy. We had a GREAT time. The food was amazing, as always, and it was great to spend time with cousins (and have younger cousins spend time with the next generation of cousins).

Always great to spend some time with Grammy and Gran Gran, too :) Love this cute couple.

I also made sure to do some reenactments of previous photos whenever I could (or the family would allow me to).  Crazy to think these pictures are 10 years apart...he barely fits on my lap!!

What a beautiful way to start the Thanksgiving week...giving thanks for family!!  

Nashville!

Some friends of ours invited us for a quick get away (it's only a 45 minute flight for us!) to Nashville for a few days, during the school week and before Thanksgiving Break. We had an absolute blast.  It was a great group, there was great weather, delicious food and cold drinks, and our days of unscheduled fun were greatly needed.  

We snuck off one day, just the two of us, for some touristy stuff: trolley tour, Country Music Hall of Fame, and RCA Studio B tour.  The weather was misty but we still got to see so much!  I think our little country music loving munchkins will love to come back here!

We stayed in a super cool hotel, formerly a train station. The detail in the lobby and rooms was amazing.  

Most of the trip you could find our group in one of the live music venues, enjoying all of the talent who were trying to make it big in Nashville!

Or enjoying both very fancy gourmet food....or perfectly delicious bar food and late night snacks from the hotel lobby :)

Great times with great friends, and special time with my honey.  Can't beat it!

Until next time, Nashville!

Weekend with my best girl

Since we're in the midst of deer season (and now in the rut), the boys insist on spending every waking weekend at the Farm.  Of course Maryn and I love the Farm...but we also love our house.  So this weekend we stayed behind while the boys went off to (hopefully) shoot a deer - and we had the best time! Love all this time with my best girl.

First, Maryn had a sleepover with one of her little friends, and they did all the stuff: watched the Eras tour, made make up "vlogs", spied on me, and enjoyed decaf mochas. 

The next day Maryn and I enjoyed pedicures and more decaf coffee :) I don't remember when I started to get my nails and toes done by a professional, but I certainly don't think I was this familiar with a salon at 9 years old!!

We're coming up on the annual Antique Fair in Dublin, and once again I have been tasked with the Peppermint Patty Cake (three of them!)  I decided to go ahead and make and freeze all my rounds while the house was quiet. It's a shame I didn't get a picture of the disaster in my kitchen. 

That Saturday night we attended the annual Wild West Party at the Ford.  We just love a chance to put on our cowboy boots!  The boys missed the best time and some great food!

I say it all the time - I'm so thankful I have a daughter! And one with the sweetest heart, whose love language is absolutely quality time together.  :)