TURKEY TIME!!!!

Holidays are always interesting at our home. Jason and I each have 2 sets of parents, so we have the opportunity to have LOTS of dinners and parties! Jason feels at the age of 32 that he still has the need to go down to Picacho and visit his grandma and cousins. Not real sure how many more years this tradition is going to continue but  let's just say I wasn't the happiest camper Thursday morning!!!

Therefore, Emmie, Ava, Elsie and I enjoyed the morning cooking and getting ready for the day. We met dad at Grandma Cindys house around 1:00 for a great Thanksgiving feast. It was a little difficult for me because it was the first time I had been there since Jasons dad had passed. Jason takes the girls quite often but I realized that it had been a while for myself. We had a great time and enjoyed each others company. We went around the table and shared what we were most grateful for at this time. I often feel emotional when I ponder and talk about being a mother. I've been thinking this past week how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to teach and nurture my girls. I couldn't imagine life without them or life without out the amazing experience of motherhood. I am very grateful for it! As bothered as I was this day with my husband, I am also grateful for him and his ability to be such a great dad. He LOVES his girls and makes sure they are aware of how much he loves them! He has this amazing ability to work hard and provide for us during these tough construction times. I am married to a great man who honors his priesthood and fulfills his calling to the best of his ability. I guess it could be a lot worse. I will quite griping on his behalf! I am very grateful for him and our marriage.

Later in the afternoon we drove back to Gilbert and met my family at my parents house. It has been awhile since they have been in town on Thanksgiving so it was very enjoyable to be there. It makes me realize how much I miss them here. We had such a great dinner and laughed at the silliest things. Why is it when you get around your siblings you can look at each other and just laugh? We had a great time!!! Ava sure did enjoy herself. I think I might have seen her a couple times the entire night. There are 21 grandchildren and they have a ball together. We always miss the Simas'. They head to California every Thanksgiving! It was a beautiful day and I look forward to this day each year. It is so relaxing!

Grandma McCleve getting all the yummies ready for the "feast"


I had to get a picture of all these rolls Carrie spent hours on. She made 160 rolls and they were YUMMY! Nothing better than these things. My aunt made these every holiday and they remind me of my childhood. They are a lot of work and Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without them!!! Thanks Carrie!

Miss little Elle (or may I say big?)

Some of the peanut gallery enjoying the football game

Elsie and Claire. They are 2 months apart and my daughter towers over her! Claire is so cute, she feels like a baby doll when you carry her.

Happy dad and Elle


Lacey and my newest niece, Miley. She is so sweet and smells so fresh. Nothing better than a baby straight from heaven! 

Let's just say I didn't get many pictures of my little Em. She was upstairs watching the newest Strawberry Shortcake that just came out. Grandma Bella picked one up for her and couldn't wait till Christmas! She was in her heaven and I let her! I wanted to make sure she was happy since she doesn't get to enjoy devouring food like all of us on this holiday!

Grandma Bella came over!

These two were very busy. I only saw them a couple times. There is so much to do at Grandma and Grandpas house. So nice!!!

Grandpa McCleve with Elsie and Claire

Tim enjoying the game! He is the party animal in the family. Sometimes we can just look at each other and laugh! Once we start laughing we can't stop!!!! It's awful.

Grandma Debbie cleaning up. It's so much more fun to cook than to clean. Thanks for all the hard work Deb! You are so good at making everything so memorable!