A week of Thanksgiving

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving for a whole week.  It started with a feast at Madison's school the Thursday before Thanksgiving.  The children sang some songs for us and then we ate together.  

The placemat and other Thanksgiving crafts Madison made

Walking in with her class, on the way to the stage to sing.

On Sunday, we drove to my parents house in Oklahoma.  Our good friends, the Bynums, just happened to be traveling to Texas from Missouri at the same time and spent the night at my parents with us on their way.  They have two boys just about the same ages as our girls.

Madison and Brayden played great together.  Doing a puzzle.

Somehow, all four of the kids got into this pack and play by themselves.  Brayden crawled out before we could get a picture.

Annabel and Bransen hanging out with my dad before bedtime.

These two crack me up.  They both just have this twinkle in their eyes that makes you wonder what they might do next.  They had lots of fun pushing and pulling things all over the house.  They really did well together (except that Annabel refused to allow Bransen or anyone else in her red rocking chair the entire week).

Madison and Brayden were playing "house" a lot.  They kept finding new places to make their house.  At this point, I think it was the pack and play.

On Monday, we hung out at my parents house.  Then after the girls went to sleep, Jared and I got to go see our friends Shannon and Cory (and meet their precious new baby).

On Tuesday, we went to Tulsa and got to see some of Jared's family.  First, we stopped at his grandma's house and got to visit with her and his Uncle Mark.

The girls playing at GG Mac's house

And playing with the dog named GG.

My best attempt at getting a picture of the girls and Jared's Grandma.

Later, we went to Jared's cousin's house.  Jason and Ann have two girls that are very close in ages to our girls.  The big girls had a great time together.  Madison and Reagan played games and tried to keep the little ones out of the room so that they could play.

Annabel and Lauren playing with the kitchen.

The four cousins.

My Grandma and Fred got to my parents house on Tuesday, and it was great to get to visit with them for a few days.

Grandma and Madison played lots of games.

First Dominos

and then a puzzle

Annabel wanted in on this action, so they built domino towers

and then Annabel crashed them.

Stillwater got a new children's museum, so we took the girls there on Wednesday.  Annabel painted

Jared and Madison working the large spirograph

This thing was great.  It was a huge network of tubes with air forced through them.  You would put balls and scarves in and they would shoot out the other end.  Mom and Annabel putting scarves in.

Madison with scarves shooting out on her head.

Annabel milking the fake cow.

Mom, Jared, and the girls playing with this thing that had tracks that you roll golf balls down.  The come back to you on the bottom.

My Grandma made sure that she got a picture of me milking the fake cow and made me promise that I would post it.  This is for you Grandma.

Madison spent a long time wringing out clothes.

One of Annabel's favorites was gathering eggs.

On Thanksgiving day, I wasn't very good about taking pictures.  My Grandma Fair took Annabel outside to play right after they got there.  They had a great time in the front yard.

We got to see lots of family on Thanksgiving.  It was great.  All of my grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins were able to come.  Madison had lots of fun playing with my cousins Mason and Miranda.  Later in the evening, we even got to meet a new baby cousin.

Annabel relaxing with my dad after all the excitement.

Jared and I also got to see some of our high school and college friends.  Thanks to mom and dad for babysitting so we could do this.

A great Thanksgiving.