Friendsgiving 2011

My little sweet baby 7 1/2 months old

Breakfast table

Avery who doesn't love to smile for pictures

A few of my friends, me Isa, Maria, and Nicole (our wonderful photographer)

Noah (Avery's boyfriend,) Hudson, and Clayton

Our Thanksgiving dinner at the Pidges.

So this was a very different year for our family for Thanksgiving. Every year we go to Las Vegas, but this year we couldn't for two reasons. One, we just went in September and two, I was working this year. We figured someone from our families would be around, but we were wrong. So last minute we were invited for a Thanksgiving breakfast at my friend Nicole' house. She is so creative and a very good host. Needless to say, we were so full. Then the kids went home to nap and we were off to my friend Katie's house. She was just having a small gathering with her mom and they had tons of food, so we got the invite. It is was so nice. Then I was off to work. The next morning, I stopped by Target to see if I could get any of the black friday deals that I had missed the night before, and I got it all!!! So nice. I love my friends and are sooo thankful they are more like family to us. What a blessing and a gift from God.

My dad visiting

My aunt's dog, who Avery is obsessed with. He is seriously the best dog ever

Most of my 24 cousins!

My dad finally came to see us!! It had been 13 months since I had seen my dad. This was by far the longest period of time I have ever been without seeing him. He finally got to meet his fifth grandchild too. He was just beside himself with how much Avery had grown and how sweet Kinley is. He came into town for my family's annual memorial golf tournament for my grandfather. It is the only time of year that most of my dad's side of the family is usually all together. It was nice to see everyone and so nice to spend quality time with my dad. Here are a few shots from the weekend.

Halloween and pumpkin painting

Avery's pumpkin painting

The kids from small group, and the littles on the floor

Kinley, my little sweetpea

Ladybug :)

Both girls

Avery, the butterfly

Some of the neighborhood kids

trick or treating

Our Rapunzel pumpkin

Our candy corn cookie, so yummy!!

We did our 2nd annual pumpkin painting with my small group girls. It was really special because we haven't been able to meet much due to changing life circumstances (moving, preschool etc). The older girls could all paint there own pumpkins this year and had a great time doing it while enjoying some yummy pumpkin bread.

On Halloween we went to my friend Nicole's house (in our neighborhood) for some soup and cornbread, treats and trick-or-treating. The kids had so much fun and Avery declared, "Mommy, I LOVE trick-or-treating." Well, that doesn't surprise me since she LOVES candy, not sure where she got that from :) Kinley slept most of the time in the carrier. I can't believe by next Halloween she will be running around with the others. Wow, time really does fly. Overall, we had a great holiday and are excited for the holiday season to be here. I wish it wasn't going to be such a light Christmas for giving, but the most important thing is that I get to be off ALL of Christmas this year!!! I have only been off one out of the last 10 Christmas'. Anyways, enjoy the pics.

Also, a quick Kinley update: She now loves her food, YAH! She went for a weight check this past week and she is up to 12 pounds 10 ounces and will be 7 months this week. He didn't plot her out because he didn't have time, but he was happy with the weight gain and so was I. I started to put some formula in her rice cereal just to give her a boost in the calories and to try and prevent her from getting a bottle after nursing. So for now she is still nursing. Everyday feels like a small victory for me. I am appreciating and so thankful for everyday that I get to nurse her.