Thanksgiving 2011

David and I had a great, although busy time in Little Rock for Thanksgiving. Because David took boards on Tuesday, November 22 and I had to work a full day, we didn't leave until Wednesday morning. We made it into town around 1:30 and me and Mom hit the shoppin trail while David worked on some dental stuff. Then David met us and we did even more Christmas shopping! We made a late reservation at the club and Tripp met us there for pasta bar! This was the beginning of "Eat-Fest 2011." This year we ate lunch at the Rainwater's house, so we got up bright and early on Thanksgiving day and headed right over after spending the night at Mom and Dad's. We hung out all morning, played with Shepherd and then ate a huge meal. Kathy had made a turkey, dressing, broccoli casserole, hashbrown casserole, salad, pecan pie, and french silk pie, among other things. Here are some pictures from the morning/early afternoon...

About midway through the afternoon we switched houses and headed back to Mom and Dad's for Thanksgiving dinner. Tripp, being in charge of turkey for the entire United States with Walmart, had to go back to Fayetteville on Thanksgiving night so he could be at work on Friday. We enjoyed him while we had him and ate a relatively early dinner so he could get back at a decent time. Mom had outdone herself and made a brined turkey, dressing with chicken in it, green bean casserole, a honey ham, fruit salad, and lemon supreme cake. Yum! Here are some evening pictures...

Making the dressing...

We spent Thursday night at Mom and Dad's. On Friday morning we went down to the newest foot bridge that goes across the Arkansas river. The weather was perfect and it was so much fun. There were tons of people out, like everyone had suddenly had the same idea. Lots of Razorback gear was being worn as well. :)

The Razorback game. Yikes. The atmosphere went from joy and hopefullness, to sadness and reality. LSU beat the Razorbacks handedly. For just a little while it looked while we could hang in there, but they soon beat up on us pretty good. At about half-time we switched houses and went to the Rainwater's to finish watching the game. They lost, but hey, they're #8 in the BCS and still #1 in our hearts. :)

Saturday morning we got up EARLY and drove down to Ruston, LA to do Thanksgiving at David's grandmother's house. Lots of family was there. It was especially great to see David's cousin Elizabeth, her husband Ross, and their two sweet kids, Audrey and Jackson. Audrey loved Shepherd, even though he scratched her in the face accidentally. :) It was great to hang around, catch up, and eat more good food. One of the women who help take care of Kathy's mother told us that her mother wanted to make part of the meal for us...GOOD STUFF. Chicken and dumplings, more dressing, hot water corn bread, and sweet potato pie. Gluteny.

On the way back from Ruston we made a stop in Arkadelphia to see David's Dad's mother at the farm. She would never want us to leave empty handed so she sent David and Ben into the chicken coop...

We made it home with quite a haul, and I've already enjoyed a fresh egg and homemade muscadine jam.

Sunday was a great day at Immanuel, followed by lunch at a dual family favorite, Senior Tequilla. The seating arrangement turned out to be kind of laughable, but the food and company couldn't be beat.

Mom sat on David and I's side...

...and somehow Dad ended up inbetween Mike and Kathy!

Thanksgiving is such a teaser for Christmas! We loved every minute in Little Rock. I know we've said this a ton, but we are unbelievably thankful for our families. Blessed beyond measure.