THANKSGIVING!

If Boston, Andrew and I all look a little fatter the next time you see us, it's because we probably are. We have A LOT to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! One being the fact that we were invited to 3 Thanksgiving dinners, which means we had 3x the food, (oddly enough I was assigned green bean casserole all 3 times) and probably gained 3x the weight. Not the mention the leftovers everyday in between.....and came home from the last dinner with almost an entire pumpkin pie that haunted us for the next week! But hey it's the holidays right?!? We won't start talking about weight until Jan 1st. ;)

The Sunday before Thanksgiving we had a Hawkins family dinner at Gary & Liz's home! They had their Christmas all put up so cute...to no surprise their Christmas tree was decorated in a BYU theme. lol. My favorite food? I can ALWAYS depend on my Grandparents to bring a huge tray of delicious candied yams!! Takes me back to when I was very little and would just eat the roasted marshmallows on top! yum! It was such a fun night, only one person missing.... my lil bro, Elder Hawkins. miss.him. I am so so Thankful for my family! I love each one soo much! They're my best friends, and such a blessing in my life!

Thanksgiving day was bound to be great when I got to start it cuddling up in my pj's with this little guy!

Andrew always heads out to play some football bright and early, and I watch the Macy's Day parade! Well this year... I had company!!! Boston loved looking at the big balloons and watching the performers. We ate cuties (his fav thing currently) and had a good time. I love my little buddy!

Then we headed to the Jasmers home! I saved my appetite for what I like to call, table with the best potatoes...and rolls!!! MMmmmmm! It was a really fun and different experience because Dolores and Jeff had invited 4 Chinese foreign exchange students to join us for Dinner. We worked on the rolls together, and I loved learning about their traditions and cultures.

I asked Dolores why she was making this face, she said she was enjoying the moment! ha she makes me laugh! :)

If you're wondering what's on Andrew's face....that would be "No shave Movember." Where you TRY and grow a mustache. TRY being the key word there. I can't give him too hard of a time since I actually put him up to it. Fun switch up, but I love my hubby clean cut! I think he looks much more handsome that way....beards just make you look scraggly.

After dinner we tried dancing off some calories doing "Dance Dance." Boston liked watching his silly Grandma, and being held by the students.

We ended the festivities at my Uncle Chad's, of course eating some more (mostly pie) and got to see my family for a little bit!!! What a fun day!!!
WAIT!!! Oh no... Thanksgiving day NEVER ends there! I DO like Black Friday! Not because I love the crowds (although that is a little invigorating lol) But because I love to save money!!!! And in my experience you can save a lot, especially on electronics. So I had it all planned out, my Black Friday partner in crime had to stay home with the babe :( But I had an awesome substitute, my brother Dal!! It was fun running around with him, and the biggest score of the night was a flat screen TV for the bedroom, so we could get rid of our old clunker we've had waay too long. Afterwards Dallin spent the night! Now THAT was a FUN DAY! I only wish the sales wouldn't start getting into Thanksgiving so much... they're starting earlier and earlier. It bugs.

The next day Paul showed up bright and early to spend the day with us!! We headed out, and got Subway breakfast. (cause seriously who feels like cooking day after Thanksgiving?!)

 Boston LOVES ceiling fans! And Subway had 3 right in his view! He laid back, and for once didn't even care about eating. lol

Then we did some more shopping, mostly at Home Depot where there were still great deals at 11am! I tried winning us a free gift card by shooting this basket!! It would have been awesome if I made it, cause I was the only girl in the line. ha ha Andrew made his though!! atta boy! :)

Boston, EXHAUSTED after shopping!!

Then we came home, Paul and Andrew organized the garage, and worked on projects, then we all just relaxed for the rest the day!

Last but NOT least the Saturday after Thanksgiving we had a Crandall dinner at Dan & Sierra's! Favorite food: Definitely Sierra's turkey!!! Mmmmmm!!!!! She had all these herbs in it, even an apple, it was amazing! Even Martha Stewart would have been proud. ;) We wanted to have a dinner all together and with Paul, cause we hadn't had Thanksgiving with him in a long time.
Why do I not have a picture of this beautiful feast, like all the others you may be wondering?? Well it certainly was beautiful, we had just said the prayer and was about to dig in, when suddenly miss Daphne got sick and threw up all over!! (missed the table luckily!) Poor girl didn't feel very good. It sure made for an unforgettable moment though! In all the bustle, I completely spaced the picture... but you get the idea! We had a great night of playing games, and eating too much....

It was a great Thanksgiving, but wow are the Holidays soo much different now with a baby! Working around nap schedules, or the lack thereof, packing them around. Yes it's a lot more fun for the most part, but we still have a lot of learning to do! I am so grateful for all of the many things the Lord has blessed me and my family with! I did a little count down on my facebook and would like to end with that.

 Starting gratitude count down to Thanksgiving! Today I am thankful for sleep...oh wait I didn't get any last night... But I'm still more grateful than ever for my baby boy who is growing up so fast! He's the reason for my smile, my joy, my tears, and my laugh. He's my purpose, my dream, and my blessing. :)

 Today I am grateful for a wonderful hubby, who is my right hand man whenever I'm in need. He can make me laugh better than anyone, he shows me unconditional love, works hard so I can be a stay at home Mom, is dedicated in all that he does, ...loves the Lord and his family more than anything, and last but not least can "wrestle down" a wired little boy better than anyone. ;) #luckiestgirlintheworld #lovehimtopieces #ithinkBostoniswinning

Today I am grateful for good friends! Ones like we went to dinner with tonight, where we can look at each other and laugh when our kids are bawling and throwing rice at a nice restaurant, and still have a good time! :) Grateful for all my good friends!

 Today I am soo grateful for all my wonderful family! Far more than can fit in this photo! I wouldn't be who I am today without each one of these people! My heart, and stomach are full tonight. :) #firstof3thanksgivingdinners #Hawkinsfam #missingmymissionarybro #stuffed #soomuchtobethankfulfor

 Today I'm grateful for my sweet cousins! I love them so much! They bring out the silly in me, and I'm grateful for it. We've had our ups and downs, but I'm always grateful they've been the sisters I never had. :) (we took this at the movie theater after seeing Twilight together for Katelan's Bechelorette party!) Soo fun!

 Today I am grateful for a full pantry that so often I take for granted, whining about what to make for dinner...but we never go to bed hungry, and never want for food. #firstworldproblems #yesijustpostedapicofmypantry #nowimhungry

Today I am so grateful for a Heavenly father that I know hears my prayers and is my constant companion to help me in my life. I am grateful for all He has blessed me with. I love that quote "God, thank you for this beautiful life, forgive me for not thanking you enough." I think that about sums it up for Thanksgiving tomorrow! :)