Thanksgiving!!

We were so excited to be able to celebrate Thanksgiving (and an early Christmas) with Kim's whole family. (You can tell how thrilled we were to be together based upon the number of pictures we took to remember every moment of our togetherness. :))
We left for Albuquerque on Tuesday right after Matt got done with school. Ian was a trooper -- "helping" to pack up the car on Tuesday ... and even being really good in the car on the 14-hour drive.
We arrived into Albuquerque on Wednesday afternoon. We were surprised to see Grammy and Papa jamming while playing Guitar Hero.

Aunt Sarah had taught them all of the strategies they'd need to succeed at the game.

On Thursday morning, Ian woke up early to help Aunt Amy practice the piano.
All of us siblings practiced the Thanksgiving song we were going to sing together in church. As you can see, Amy was receptive to Ian's suggestions to play a little louder. In church, though, Ian didn't provide any critiques ... he was snoring away on Momma's shoulder even as she sang!
The Drool King seems mesmerized by the camera.
Ian was NEVER at a loss for a playmate while in Albuquerque. Thankfully, they were all tolerant of his crankiness as he adjusted to the new sights and people and coped with his ear infection. Here, Uncle Jason teaches Ian about money management.


As you can tell from the next few pictures, Ian loves to get AND give kisses!



We were so thankful Uncle Andrew was able to make it. He had to work a full day on Wednesday and get back to the PT clinic in Phoenix by Friday morning. We tried to take advantage of all 20 hours he was at Grammy and Papa's house! Thanks for coming, Drewski! (And thanks for letting Sarah stay longer!)

After church, it was TURKEY TIME! Though Grammy and Papa had done most of the work, we all pitched in to get the feast on the table.
Dark meat, anyone??
What beautiful cherry pies Sarah and Grammy made! Is that a turkey walking through the middle of that pie?? Way to go, gals!
Dinner is served!
We have so much to be thankful for, including the opportunity to be together on Thanksgiving!
We opened Christmas presents after our Thanksgiving dinner.

Ian got a t-ball set, a CD, an ornament, and some really cool art supplies. His gift from Andrew & Sarah involves a trip to IKEA to get an art easel. (Momma and Daddy love that store!)

Ian was excited to try his new gifts out!

Uncle Jason was a patient teacher. They worked on proper batting technique a few times during our trip.
Ian kept asking outside to go into the leaves. He'd say "rake" and "crunch" to instruct us how we should best be involved. He loved wearing his gloves from last year even though they're too small and fell off often.






Ian loved listening to other family members read from his Baby Bible,
being silly while following Aunt Amy's directions (see video, too!),






and placing mandarin oranges in Grammy's candle holder.
On Friday afternoon, we asked Aunt Sarah to take some family Christmas pictures for us. She did GREAT with such an active subject! Aunt Amy acted as chief entertainer while Uncle Jason stood guard by our props and jackets.











Ian also enjoyed laughing with Grammy and Papa,
being read to by Aunt Amy,
being zoomed around the house by Jason's Rubbermaid Taxi Service,

learning how to hammer,

looking at pictures of himself,


riding Trigger (the horse that Grammy's dad made for her as a girl),
getting lessons from Papa on how a potty works (at least how the Little People potty works),
getting covered up by Papa's jacket,
and finding his own "hiding spot" in Grammy & Papa's house and having Papa come "in" with him.

Thanks for the great time, family! We thank God for you! Ian (as you can see below) STILL likes to talk about our time together! :)