Thanksgiving 2013

Atticus and Harper were in town for Thanksgiving this year so John and I got to spend a lot of quality time with them.  We had the most fun!

Every year, the Gaylord Texan hosts a program or show called ICE!  The Johnson's go every year.  This year, they invited us to go.  So, we did.

Merry Christmas!  We all got our photo in the "present".

Afterwards, we went to the bakery where the kids and Ed all got a cookie the size of their heads.

I had to sneak up behind Harper to get a bite.

 

John and Allen.

Next stop - the show.  In order to go in, everyone has to wear these blue parka's because it's freezing in there, literally!

These ice sculptures are amazing. 

The theme this year was the Nutcracker.

There were tons of people all wearing the same blue jacket.  It was hard to keep up with the family.

The Johnsons.

Me and Chantal.  Harper looks like she's being swallowed up by her hat.

We double dog dared him to kiss the ballerina so we could see if his lips would stick to the ice.

The boys:  Drew, Atticus and Dane.

After the show, we had a sleepover at my house.  Mom, Atticus and Harper came to stay with us. 

Harper decided that we needed to put up my Christmas tree.  It was kind of late so we only put up the little one.

A lovely decorating job.

Me and Harper.

Atticus and Harper in front of the tree.

The weather outside was cold!  So, we turned the fire on.  The kids seemed to really like the fireplace.

The day before Thanksgiving, my mom brought the kids back over for another sleepover.  We all ran errands during the day and then Atticus wanted to do the go karts.  We were afraid it was going to be too cold but we decided to go for it.  Uncle John went first.

Then Atticus.

They took off like a shot.  Here comes Uncle John around the bend.

 Followed by Atticus.

Meanwhile, the girls were inside playing games.

Before we left, the boys wanted to go again and this time Harper wanted to go.  So she and I rode in a double cart and the boys each got their own.  We got to leave the chute first followed by John and Atticus.  I was trying to get the hang of driving the kart when the boys passed us up.  Harper screams, "Go faster!  They're passing us!"  I wish I'd had a camera.  She had the wind blowing in her hair and a big smile on her face.  In my defense, I had the peddle to the metal.  Still, we laughed and laughed.

I think we all agreed that the go karts were the most fun.

The next day was Thanksgiving.  John cooked the turkey.  Mom made the gravy.

 The boys were all outside playing football.

 James, Brendan and Atticus.

 Brendan, Atticus and John.

 

Harper did her own make-up.

 Lounging around after dinner.

Watching the game.  As usual, it was a great Thanksgiving.  I love spending time with our families.  Having Harper and Atticus with us this year was a bonus.

So here are the Andretti brothers coming out of the chute....