Thanksgiving 2012

 Thanksgiving was a blast! As always, it was really busy and went by really fast but we were so glad to get to see and spend the time we were able to with everyone!

 Here's Remi getting ready for her first experience of chaotic family festivities. (Sporting her new boots from Aunt Emily.)

It all started with a day early Thanksgiving with the Goodman's. Ashley's Uncle Joe, Aunt Sheryl and Grandma all came up from Pima. We didn't get to spend near enough time with them but we're so glad we got to see them all.  Here's Grandma Reed meeting Remi for the first time.

This is a pretty common sight in the Goodman house. These three can be a handful but Sal always seems to know how to wrangle them and keep everyone happy!

Remi slept through the whole thing and found a comfortable spot with Uncle Tan.

Later that evening the Walters (Nate, Emily, Trace and Rylee) arrived followed by Cord and Whit's family (Avery and Gage). It was fun getting to see all the kids get to know each other and bond in the usual kid ways of running around and jumping on the bed together, etc. The Walters stayed at our house and Grant instantly took to Rylee. He followed her around and just kept trying hang with her.

 Grant also got to have some male bonding time with these two guys (Trace and Gage). One of the best parts of Thanksgiving this year was getting to see them get to know each other and have their little footsteps running around, climbing all over everything, going from new activity to new activity. 

 In between all the time spent with the kids we still had other things we got to do. Sadly we didn't get many pictures, but I want to mention everything so that we don't forget it. After everyone ate Emily, Cord, Whitney, Ryan and I went to Show Low so that we could take advantage of Black Friday (Thursday) Which was a great success thanks to Whitney. Thanks again Whitney! The next day we visited my Grandpa's old ranch, which is always fun when you involve four wheelers.

 It was a bitter sweet trip, wishing the ranch was still in the family and getting to hear about all the things that happened there.

 It was also interesting to watch Grant and Gage as I thought about Cord and I being there when we were around their age. It's crazy watching Grant grow up. Ashley always mentions that every time she finds rocks in the washing machine because Grant has for some reason stuffed them into his pockets, she can't help but think, "he's such a little boy." Here's Grant stuffing his pockets full of rocks.

 After the ranch we decided to play a little game of dominoes...until 3 o'clock the next morning! The next day started with Rylee's birthday party. Emily prepared a video with pictures of her first year, which was very appropriate seeing how so many of us here in AZ have missed out on the first year of her life. Then Cord, Nate, Whitney and I went shooting, which was followed by a fun game of dodge ball.We got to meet my cousin Natalie's husband Cheston for the first time and everyone really had a lot of fun seeing them and getting to know him. We didn't get a picture of Cheston but here's Remi meeting her cousin Natalie.

 As always, it was sad when the constant family, kids, games,visiting and activities was over, but much needed rest quickly followed. Grant especially played so hard he exhausted himself every day!