Thanksgiving weekend 2011

So my photos didn't load in order.  So here we go.  I started by working Thanksgiving.  The Tingeys are getting big enough we don't all fit in one house--even some of the larger houses.  So we tried to reserve one of the churches.  But they were already booked, so we had our dinner on Friday--meaning I ate Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday with my clients.  It was wonderful!!  We had her enchilladas which are very different than the ones I've grown up with, but we enjoyed them.  I then had pie and games with family later that night.  It was fun to get to visit with cousins I haven't seen for a long time.  I also got to play some games with my girls.  It was nice to just enjoy being with family.  Friday I went to work in the morning--to find out I had worked more than I realized, so I got off at 3 and had the rest of the weekend off to just enjoy!!  What a nice surprise.  After dinner we played some games.  It was fun because we played games that we could all play together.  These videos is from a new game that Laurel taught us.  We laughed and laughed.

Getting Ready for dinner!  This kitchen wasn't designed for this many people. 

I've never!  Hilarious when you play with family.

On Friday we went with Aunt Dot and Uncle Johnny to pick out a Christmas Tree.  We went to Beaver Bark in Richland.  First we met Dancer and Prancer or was it Donner and Blixin?  The girls even got to touch their antlers.  The deer do not like it when you touch the antlers.

The girls got to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas.  Karla wants a cowboy.  Kylee wants another Repunzel doll.  I am now wondering if Kylee cut Repunzel's hair.... I haven't found the doll to check yet.  And Kaylyn told Santa she was Kaylyn.  Garth said he wanted a T-Rex.  Santa was so good to us.

Even Toto helped to find the perfect tree.

This is a traditional Tingey spread for Thanksgiving!!

More I've never.

Looking at the Reindeer.

Talking to Santa

Picture with Santa

Garth often tells us "my Mom." He sure loves her.

My cute Kaylyn.

I told Todd this was the Christmas tree we should get--Pink.  Todd was not excited.  Thankfully for him it is $600.  But we had fun teasing Dad about getting a pink tree.

For Thanksgiving Grandma Tingey always makes the rolls.  And they are so good!!

Don't forget the pies!!

Another Tingey tradition--layered jello.  I think Aunt Janel made it this year.  But this is the kids favorite.  And I remember it fondly from my childhood too.  Maybe I need to learn to make it and share it with the Nef's one of these days.

And it's not a Tingey traditional Thanksgiving dinner with out the nut cups.  My cousin Kirsten set them out this year.

At beaver bark, there is a neat Koi pond.  They swim right up to you too.

Garth's new girl friend, Mrs. Claus.  He's in tight!

My pretty princess!!

Karla posing for the camera.

While the adults are in the kitchen--the kids keep themselves entertained.

Better shot of Kirsten with the nut cups.

Kaylyn exploring Beaver Bark.

More of Karla's posing!!  Isn't she adorable?

Todd and Garth having fun, but not helping to pick out a tree.

"Ill be to your house Christmas Eve.  So let me eat and rest between now and then."

I didn't get any pictures of us playing games at Mom's house with Dot and Jonathan.  But that was fun too.  I got to finally give my mom a good foot rub and cut her toe nails for her.  I need to do this a lot more often!!  We even got some Christmas Shopping done.  Then on Saturday night, we had a birthday party for my cousins boys: at Chuck E Cheese.  It was a lot of fun.  The girls love going there.  And so does Garth!!  Todd and I even got to play guitar hero and a shoot the aliens game.  And it was fun to hang out with my cousins, aunts, and uncles, and gradparents.  We just don't get together often enough anymore--but when would we in our busy lives?  It was a wonderful holiday weekend full of fun and family.  I wouldn't have it any other way.