Thanksgiving 2011

 Thanksgiving this year was a fabulous holiday.  It was a bit more difficult traveling with two children now, but nonetheless, we made it to San Angelo.  Every year the Poe family gathers in west Texas for Thanksgiving dinner.  We used to eat at Charlsie’s house but now we meet at Mimi’s.  Our family is continually expanding, to include our new babies, Buddy’s family the Halls, the Broyles, my sweet Bitt Bitt’s parents and even Aunt Karen’s parents.  Because of our ever expanding crew, we had to rent out a place to host our dinner.  It was beautiful and right on the water.  Mimi bought a fabulous bouncy house for the kids and let me tell you it was the hit of the day. Michael, Quinn, Nash, Brenna, Madison and Presley had such a good time! Mimi’s decorations were beautiful and the food was of course amazing.  I was so busy visiting and playing with the kids, I didn’t even get a piece of pie! But as long as Michael got one of Aunt Glenda’s turkey cookies, everything was okay!   Soon, it was time to head back to Mimi’s and get ready for bed.  By the time Glenda finished cleaning the kitchen, everyone wanted round two of dinner.  Seems about right though doesn’t it?  We settled in to watch the University of Texas beat Texas A&M in their last game…at least for a while anyway. Friday, we headed home with two very sleepy babies.  Michael fell asleep in the car and Derin put him in his bed around 6pm.  Michael slept in the same position until 8:15 Saturday morning.  Playing with his cousins was definitely exhausting, but well worth it.  I truly enjoyed seeing my family and feel that our visit was just too short.  Being around everyone made me realize just how much I miss them and also how thankful I am to have them in my life.

Happy Halloween

Well, Halloween 2011 was quite the event.  We usually go to our church Fall Festival but we didn’t have one this year so it was Michael’s first time to officially trick-or-treat.  Michael was so cute as a little fireman and Ava was beautiful as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.  I think Michael’s favorite part of the day was pulling in our driveway and then having Derin open the door.  Michael screamed “Daddy!!”  He was so happy and we were so glad he was home. We headed to eat with our friends and Michael got to play with his friends Laylin and Linlee (Michael keeps saying how pretty they are:).  After dinner, it was time to hit the streets and go for candy!  Ava was escorted in style in her stroller and Michael wanted to walk in his boots.  I originally thought the fireman outfit was just cute and then I realized how safe it was because it had all the reflective gear on it!

Michael wasn’t sure what he was supposed to do, he just kept going up to people and saying “please” and holding out his hands for candy.  He then thought that he was supposed to eat the candy at every door.  I was very pleased that he kept saying “thank you” and “you’re welcome” when people gave him his treats.  How did I get so lucky?Lulu and Uncle Craig were sweet enough to walk around with us, we wouldn’t have had nearly as much fun without them.  Lulu looked beautiful in her orange (my favorite color) sweater and hat!  Ava just watched everyone and would have slept but I think that all the costumes and lights were fascinating.

We headed home, where Ava truly showed her exhaustion, but after baths and bedtime stories we all collapsed and fell fast asleep.  A great Halloween and a fun night that I will never forget.