Thanksgiving 2013

My family was gathering at the beach for Thanksgiving this year.  Since Johnny had just come home from him mission we had to join them.   We took off when Mark came home from work Monday night.   We made it past DC before we stopped for the night.  Tuesday morning after sleep and a hotel breakfast we jumped back in the car.  We arrived midday and it quickly got crazy! 

Addy and Johnny

Johnny meeting Jaxon for the first time.

Our view

It wasn't swim weather but given the it was storming in CT we happy to be where the sun was shinning and no more than a sweatshirt was needed.

Wed we had a girls lunch and left the men home with all the kids.  I came home to find all my kids plus 20 more in the hot tub.  The hot tub was full of kids the whole time.  My kids treated it like a swimming pool, complete with 'trying' to dive. 

We spent the days playing on the beach and hanging out.  Jenn brought a kit to Tye-dye t-shirts and Flossie organized making Christmas ornaments.   Nights were spent playing games and eating WAY too much food.   Mostly, it was just loud with all the kids running around playing as hard as they could. 

Heated game of ultimate frisbee. 

Friday morning we opened presents from our Christmas name exchange.

Ryan being a little scarey

Miley Jo

Johnny teaching Marcus to use his slingshot that Grandma and Grandpa brought back from Guatemala.

Johnny and Alisa

Friday afternoon we had Gabby's baptism!  (This time it was at the local church rather in the ocean like Ella the year before.)  It was really special.  All the grandkids sang songs.  Ella and Katie gave talks.  Katie gave a fantastic talk about why we are baptized and mentioned that she can't wait until next July when it is her turn.

Johnny baptized Gabby.

That night Tripp pulled out all his DJ equipment and hosted a pajama dance party, complete with a disco ball.   The kids danced hard!

 

There were no drugs involved even though some of these pictures might led you to believe otherwise.

Saturday was a sad day as we had to get up and get packing.   We delayed the inevitable as long as possible.  I went for a walk on the beach with my sisters.  Addy stole Marks I-phone and hid with Chloe so they could listen to music in peace. 

 

And we did a quick family photo shoot.  

Jaxon attaching Marcus instead of being good and posing for the picture-yep, just about sums up our life.