Thanksgiving Parties

As we approach Thanksgiving, the parties all start and the holiday season truly gets into swing.  Addison's class had activities that the parents could come in and help with, so Amy took the time off to go and help - it was fun to put on a party for them!

Making a turkey out of snacks

The whole class with their thanksgiving photo props!

Our church also had an outreach program in which people would take shoe boxes and fill them with presents for kids in need - Addison and Amy went to the packing event in which we wrote notes to the kids and helped fill in any remaining nook or cranny with small gifts.  It was fun to see all of the boxes that will go out to and bring a smile to a little kid's face!

Happy helper

One of our favorite things at Thanksgiving is the Grodack thanksgiving meal.  They open their home up to anyone and everyone - and if you have come once, you're invited every single year!  It is always a ton of fun and we look forward to it.  This year there were almost 50 people!

And this year's gala was Lady Antebellum - of which Amy had no idea who they were!  But it is always fun to see all of our friends dressed up in their finest!  Amy managed to get into a dress from 2010 -- but let's be clear, there was pain with every breath as the evening wore on -- never was Amy so glad to get into the car and undo the dress on the way home! 

Heather and the Js

Reeves, Bergherms and Grodacks

And our long-time friends the Stewarts

Karis is as handsome as the day Amy married him!

In other random pictures:

Kaleb had a pathfinder camp out in early November

Big brother reading a story to his precious little sister - these two are so sweet together!

We introduced golfing to the kids over Thanksgiving - Zachary went on Karis' annual Thanksgiving outing and had a great time

Stephanie - a dear long-time friend was in town for work, so Amy was able to catch up with her over dinner at the Cheesecake Factory

Zachary and Blake helped Auntie Heather with her Adventurers class (although they were typical reticent teens!)

Zachary leading the group of Adventurers out in nature looking for leaves

At a birthday party, caught a picture of Addison and Victoria

Decade spirit date at school - Kaleb went as the Grease John Travolta version - looking good!

Zachary's team soccer picture with the trophy from NACA

Jennifer sent this picture from her Facebook archives - Evan and Kaleb are so cute - probably about 2-3 years old (Kaleb is in orange shirt)