Thanksgiving

I think this one may be short and sweet.  (compared to the others)
My Aunt Karen rents a beach house in the Outer Banks each year for Thanksgiving week for her family to vacation at.  This year they invited Luke and me to join them, since we’re so far away from any other family. 
I had to work today (Friday) so we went out Wednesday night and came home Thursday night. 
We had such a nice day!  They did a few things differently than I’m used to, (watching football) but overall it was nice to have a semi-normal Thanksgiving and just enjoy family.  Also, “Cousin Luke” (even though he was sickly) was a HUGE hit with Pam’s boys!!  It’s so cute to watch him play with children. J
Their big tradition is to go around the table and say what they’re thankful for in the past year.  Pam brought up the best point, and one that I think of often.  “I’m thankful for family, but to put a spin on it…I’m thankful that we enjoy our family.” 
I feel like it’s so rare these days to find a family where everyone enjoys one another, and spending time together.  I feel that I have been very blessed that my immediate family is that way, even after getting married and bringing such new dynamics in.  And to go beyond that, I love my in-laws and don’t ever feel judged by them (which is huge).  And again taking another step back, for us to be able to join extended family and just fold in so easily was amazing. 
Basically,  our God is Great, Gracious, and Greatly to be Praised!  Thank you for all the many undeserved blessings that you heap upon us, your children!!!  

Party Like it's 1999!

We've had a very busy few weeks.
We bought a new bedroom furniture, and played with moving the rest of our furniture around to make it all fit.  I found that it's very rewarding to save up for such a big ticket item, and actually spend the money on it. 

 

This week was spent helping our friend Drew plan a surprise prom-themed 30th birthday party for his wife Krista.  We had such a blast on the "party planning committee".  Luke said I was the Angela of the group, but I think I was Phyllis.  I totally could have scored an anti-gravity machine if it fit the theme!

We got to use the garage of an empty house (it's on the market) to create the prom-gym effect.  I think it was a HUGE success. 

Here are a few shots, but there will be tons more (including videos) on facebook.