Holmes Family Thanksgiving

 

Mark couldn't stay away from Union Springs another Thanksgiving and I was happy to agree. Aunt Gail hosted 32 of us for the full Southern Thanksgiving spread. Alice and Sawyer seemed to entertain Mark's extended family after the meal while we caught up with his cousins over Lane Cake, buckeyes, cookies, and more. We ended the day at Lake Martin for two nights.

 

 

Fun visits with Friends

Liz and I have been great friends for 15 years and we don't get a chance to see each other often. I loved getting to meet baby James and see my friend while we were in AL for Thanksgiving. Overton Park morning with friends:

Alice (4), Maddie (3), Sawyer (2), Sarah Beth (2), James (3mo)

 

sweet friend Liz with our kids

 

early week visit with Mimi & Grandaddy:

Mimi's having a hard time with her first round of new chemo. Please keep praying for strength, rest, ability to maintain weight and good nutrition. We're glad she had a good energy boost one day we were there.

 

Waltman afternoon at their house/tree house:

#9

Pacific Ocean, Oregon 2006

Mark and I honeymooned in Oregon 9 years ago. We've had more adventures than I could imagine since our wedding nine years ago today. I'm so glad my best friend is my husband, kids' father and support.

Preschool Thanksgiving Celebration

Our little Indian "Pretty Rainbow" sang joyfully during the 4's Thanksgiving program. I helped and even got to dress as a Pilgrim! Alice was proud of the pattern she made on her Indian necklace and the buffalo/fish outfit she designed.

 

a sample song: Gobble, gobble says the turkey. Soon will be Thanksgiving Day. The way they treat me, they're gonna eat me. Guess I better run away. (to O My Darling Clementine tune)

 



Holmes celebrations

William shot and scored!

passing the time on a CHILLY morning at the soccer field

Uncle John's birthday celebration

Sawyer's happy with the Hot Wheels and balls at Gigi & Poppy's

Trick or Treat Halloween

 

Straight after preschool we drove to Atlanta to the best Halloween neighborhood I've seen. Uncle John, Darth Vader, Mark and the kids hit the street with zillions of their neighbor friends. Poppy and I joined the candy crazed kids. Sawyer loved his big lollipop so much he wouldn't even put it in his bag and ate it right away at home.  Alice woke up Saturday morning and said, "I loved Halloween and holding Virginia's hand." William forever won a friend in Sawyer by giving him a Lightning McQueen talking racecar :). Our kids really appreciate how sweet their big cousins were this weekend to play and share.

Preschool Halloween Fun

 

Alice started her Halloween festivities at preschool with a hayride, first piñata bash, class picture, and refreshments. Belle, from Beauty and the Beast, was happy and Sawyer and I were delighted to join the fun. Below is a picture with her teacher, Mrs Bonnie.

 

Proud Aunt & Uncle

This weekend we got to meet our 4-week old nephew, Kingston O'Connell Ballinger, in Atlanta. He's a cute, little blond reflection of his dad. Sawyer's proud to be a "big boy cousin" now to  a "Baby Ballinger". Alice commented on how cute Kingston is and how beautiful Abby is. . so sweet!