Thanksgiving 2013

We hit the road again this year for Thanksgiving!  We headed to Iowa on Wednesday afternoon.  The kids did great in the car and Madelyn was so excited to get to Mama and Gampa's house!

We celebrated Kenny's 70th birthday on Wednesday night.  Chris smoked ribs and pork - delicious!  It was a fun family night.  Eric and Heather made the trip from Chicago and it's always fun to see them….since they don't back to Iowa as often as the rest of us.

Thanksgiving Day we celebrated with Emily's side of the family.  There were 43 people there - amazing since there are 25 if my entire family (both sides) would ever be together at one time!  Always fun to see Ryan's family and they all enjoy seeing the kids and are amazed at how fast they grow up.

Considering we forgot our camera we still got plenty of pictures!

Pitstop at the gas station on our way to Iowa

Uncle Chris and Happy Jack

Showing Milton some love

Auntie Heather playing dollhouse with Madely

Grandma and Jack

Grandma and Madelyn

One of my favorite pictures
Belly laughs from Jack and Grandpa!!

Grandparents with the Grandkids

Uncle Eric and Jack

Friday we took off for Owatonna.  We stopped to see my Grandma who is in a care center.  My Grandpa Arnie met us there too.  It's always good to see them.

Great Grandpa Arnie, Baby Jack and me
I love this picture!  It makes me smile every time I see it!

Grandkids with the Grandparents

Love my dad & sister!!!

Papa & Jack - always happy together!

The big kids eating a treat and lounging around

These two melt my heart!  They love each other so much!

Saturday we celebrated with my dad's side of the family.  Grandpa Ray & Darlene came along with Bob, Sandy & Tim.  We missed seeing Jeff & Danielle but it didn't work for them to make it back this year.  Hopefully we'll be able to see them at Christmas.  Aunt Sandy gave the kids autographed children books.  She always has the best ideas and the kids love her gifts!

Great Aunt Sandy giving the kids books!
They loved them!
The girl in Madelyn's book looks a lot like Madelyn - so special!

Nana & Jack having so much fun!

Nana reading to Madelyn

Madelyn looking so grown up

Madelyn & Nora

Love Bishop's smile & laugh!  It's so contagious!

The big kids

The girls

Jack took a bath by himself!
Next year he'll be one of the big kids!

Lots of laughs before bedtime

Jack in his Christmas pjs!

We came back home on Saturday night.  That has been our routine the last few years.  We like having all day Sunday at our house after a fun time on the road!

Madelyn having her first (and last - at least for while) piece of gum while watching the Bears game!
She doesn't quite understand the "no swallow" concept yet :)