Grandparents, Dedication, and Thanksgiving...Oh my!!

Kevin's parents came to visit us last week. They were here for Olivia's dedication (Kevin's birthday was the same day too) and for Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe that I've been with Kevin for almost ten years, yet I've never spent Thanksgiving with his family.

They arrived on Saturday afternoon. Benjamin had spent Saturday morning cutting up a very large (and skinny) branch. He then decided that the best use for this branch was kindling for a bonfire. So, we changed our dinner plans and had hot dogs. I had a can of chili leftover from Benjamin's school Fall Fest, so I heated it up for the hot dogs. Imagine my surprise when Kevin's mother said that neither she nor Kevin's dad had ever had a chili dog. They have also never had corndogs. Perhaps those are Southern things? Anyone else never have these before?

Here is a picture of Olivia all bundled up with Grandma and Papa during the bonfire.

The next day, Sunday, was Olivia's dedication. We had been waiting for Grandma and Papa to be here before we did it. Uncle Phillip and Pastor Coleman did the dedication together. Phillip is very close to our family, and so having him as a part of it was especially meaningful. We were also joined by Aunt Debra and Uncle Dennis.
Our little Olivia Rae on the day of her dedication to the Lord! We are blessed!!

Pastor Coleman did the Bible readings and the charge family and friends.

I love the way Olivia is looking at Phillip in this one.

Phillip did the prayer and official dedication.

I cried. Kevin cried. Phillip's eyes got damp (or it could be allergies...Texas is awful like that!). During the prayer Olivia thought long and hard about whether or not to take over the microphone responsibilities. She decided against it. 8-)

Olivia and Papa after church.

Thanksgiving was great. I was a bit late putting Mr. Thankful Turkey together, but when it was finished, it was quite spectacular. For those who don't know what this is...we make a turkey out of my scrapbooking materials. Then we make several feathers and mail them to our family and friends. They write about what what they are thankful for on these feathers and then mail them back. On Thanksgiving day, we read them and then put them onto the turkey. Mr. Turkey then serves as a decoration. Mr. Turkey didn't get done until a couple days later because apparently Grandma and Papa are far more exciting than some paper turkey (turkeys can't play Rummikub!) Here's Mr. Turkey:



We had the Phelps family (Roy, Maxine, Phillip, and Ranae) over for Thanksgiving this year. It was wonderful having so many special people to spend the day with. We had a lovely dinner, told jokes (even laughed at the bad ones...uh...not that there were any bad ones), played games, and just relaxed.

After dinner, Benjamin talked Mrs. Phelps into doing some artwork with him.

Olivia and Uncle Phillip in The Thanksgiving Dinner Recovery Chair.

The Benjamin/Grandma team during our Mille Bourne game.

I was very proud of how attractive my pies turned out!

Oh, and for the first time ever (drum roll please) I made dressing that was fantastic! And for that, I am extremely thankful!