Thanksgiving 2011

   This Thanksgiving was very different than the ones in the past. Our family had to got to travel. 

We went to see Chris's parents who live in Malvern. So on Wednesday, we left and went through Hot Springs. There we stopped and visited "Bathhouse Row." We toured the Fordyce Bathhouse/visitors center, and also saw many of the different hot springs fountains. I think we heard that the temperature of the springs stays a constant 127 degrees year round. While we were there we also looked around in the shops along the main street and just enjoyed being in a new place, together.

  Once we left downtown Hot Springs, we went to the UofA botanical gardens called Garvan Woodland Gardens. They were doing their Christmas light display, so we decided to go see. I am glad we did. The kids loved the lights and it put us all in a Christmas spirit.

 Thursday came and we had an interesting meal. Chris's parents oven went out, so we ended up cooking everything including the turkey and dressing on the bbq grill. The turkey turned out good and we all ate way to much in spite of the challenge of preparation. 

 That night after we put the kids to bed, Nana and Papa kept them, Chris and I went BLACK FRIDAY shopping. We ended up getting everything we went after plus some. Not to mention he and I always have a ton of fun. We actually enjoy shopping in the madness!      

 When Friday came and it was time for us to leave, we decided to go home by way of Little Rock. There we stopped at the River Market District and played around for a while, but we also visited the Old State House Museum. It was fun to learn a little bit of history. Before heading home we made one last stop at the Old Mill to take a few pictures. We had a good time, but we were glad to be home.

Here are a few pictures of our trips highlights. 

                              

A fountain in front of the Old State House Museum

This was the bridge that we crossed at the River Market

                                                                                 

Shay took this picture that's why she isn't in it.

                    

 

Busy Busy Busy

This past weekend was a doozy! We got much accomplished though, so that was a good thing.

   Starting it off with a bang, we decided to do a yard sale Friday and Saturday. That was good, we sold lots of "junk" and made a little cash. But most importantly, I got to spend time with my sister and my mom. It's always more fun to visit while you work!!
   Saturday, after we cleaned everything up from the sale, we had a moment of insanity and decided to go ahead and put up our Christmas tree. It usually goes up 2 weekends before Thanksgiving, so that wasn't anything new or different. However, I didn't realize how tired I was and how much work putting up the tree actually is. Well, we got it up that night, but that's all we did.
   So Sunday, after church, we went and grabbed lunch and came home and finished decorating the tree. It was fun and the kids had a good time helping. You know the saying "many hands make light work"? Well, I'm not sure that is completely accurate. I think more work was created by having help. But I didn't redo everything. All their help actually gave our tree a little character, if you know what I mean!! : ) 
   We ended the weekend by going to a special Sunday night service with Marty Blackwelder. It was good, and I'm glad we went. I love that God always gives us exactly what we need, when we come expecting!!
The kids are just trying to make it through this week to next weekend. I'm sure it has everything to do with the fact that they are getting out for the Thanksgiving holiday next week, and they have the whole week off!
   I love this time of year. . . I am just having to remind myself, quite frequently, to slow down and enjoy it!! But time with family is always worth it, and I can't wait to gather this holiday season with the ones I love.

                                         Have a Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!!