We started our celebration on Wednesday by putting up the tree. The kids thought it was the biggest tree they ever saw and had more fun putting the limbs on the tree than actually decorating it.
We then woke up and watched the big ballons (parade) and waited and waited for 12 o'clock to arrive so we could eat turkey!! We first went to Jim Bob's grandmother's house for lunch.
Here are all the kids and Granny Jo. She's 86 and as active as ever!!
Aizley with her Uncle Jerry. Both of his niece's are from Eastern Europe. Can you tell who Aizley's favorite Uncle is?!
Bob with cousin Treyton.
That night, we went to my grandmother's house and had another amazing meal and playtime. There was so much playing and kids running everywhere, I only got a couple of shots. Here are all the boys, Cade, Logan, and Colton. Goofy guys!
We made it back home by 9:30 and headed straight to bed in order to get enough sleep for our Black Friday trip to the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga. Oh, how the kids love looking at fish and the such. Here we stopped on the way to stretch. What a view!!
The package includes two building, a hands-on butterfly exhibit, a stingray "petting" zoo, and a live penguin exhibit! We first went through the butterfly exhibit where Aizley wanted to stay. Here she is after she finally wore down this butterfly and it landed on her hand. Two precious butterflies!!
My favorite was the penguin exhibit. We watched these birds dive in and out of the water, gathering food for some baby chicks they are guarding.
Standing in a shark cage.
Colton and a Croc!!
At the end of our day, we were able to sit on these steps and look out over the TN river while listening to a kids choir sing christmas songs.
We had an awesome day! Sunday after church, we decorated the front of the house with lights and started on homework, homework, homework!! We have a lot of activities coming up in the next few weeks and we are trying to get all these things done in time to enjoy each activity as we should. Saturday is a big shopping trip for me and a weekend at babushka's for the kids! Watch out bargins, I'm on my way!!!
5 comments:
Love your pictures and stories of first holidays! Isn't God good?!. :) Blessings to you guys!
What a blessing to be together this year for you guys. I was in Ukraine at this time last year and celebrated Thanksgiving in Odessa with other Americans. It was a great time but there is no place like home!
Looks (and sounds) like you guys had a great Holiday! Good for you! So happy for you guys!
Stefanie
The kids are so grown up. Isn't it amazing how quickly they've grown in such a short period of time? Happy Thanksgiving!!
What a wonderful holiday!
You made me homesick for Chattanooga. Sniff.
Aiz looks SO grown up!! Has she grown? Is it just that she looks so settled within herself; so at peace?
Keep up the good work!
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