the mother post...

it has been brought to my attention that i'm somewhat of a "camera freak."
but for the record, i've always been this way...all my other pics are just stuck in boxes or photo albums, or in folders on my computer- so this blog is like heaven for me (it's just more obvious to everyone now). i'm excited to get it published and have a journal and a photo album all in one! plus, our out of state family can't get enough...

my sister catherine and her husband charles in live austin, so we took a trip out there for Thanksgiving this year. maryanne and tom brought their family too, and- well, just check it out and you can see how much fun we had!

here's how it all played out...

stop at the gas station to clean the windshield. check.

portable dvd player, headphones, superman pillow. check.

cousin luke. check.
(maryanne and i traded kids for the drive)

pregnant mama. check.
ok. we're off to austin for the Thanksgiving weekend!

potty break and icee's!
(we have a fun dad that likes to stop and get treats:)
4 hours (and lots of traffic) later, here we are at hotel Nance!

i hope you're ready for a house full of people for 3 days!alright, put us to work! let's make some pumpkin rolls......and cupcake turkeys for thanksgiving dinner tomorrow.
meanwhile, the kids kept busy playing air hockey...ping pong...and video games!look at those handsome boys!
van, luke, and ethancatherine's beautiful homeThanksgiving day!alright, let's dig in!tom and maryanne up front, catherine and charles to the right,
me and fredg on the lefthappy kids at the kid table!what? help clean up? sorry- the game's on:)yeah baby! life sized football!!
the only way the watch the game...on a 5 X 8 ft. screen!
a game of kickball with the kids...adam, jasmine, and katelyn climbing trees...van and ethan "riding" pillows down the stairsit's not Thanksgiving without a game of football right?
watching my hot man...lookin' good hon!
hey, van and i wanna play!back to the kitchen for dessert! (the best part) who's in for a family game of "apples to apples?"looks like tom's ready for bed!thanks catherine and charles! as you can see, we had such a great time!I'm thankful for the blessing of family, and the happiness it brings into my life. i'm so grateful for my wonderful husband and our beautiful kids, and that we're all healthy and happy.

Fredgie is thankful for our Heavenly Father who makes everything possible. it's very humbling to know that everything we have comes from Him, and the blessings we have in our life are an indication of His love.

Jasmine is thankful to have her own computer in her room so she can listen to her playlist while she read books- anytime she wants. she's also thankful for her friends and her family.

Van is thankful for our family and our house. he's thankful for video games, preschool, and friends too.

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!