Thanksgiving 2012

Starting with me going counter clockwise: Krystal, Lincoln, Ivan, Adelia, Aaron, Kyle, Kelsey, Grandpa Sparks, Grandma Sparks, Tanner, Jackson, Emree, Gramma Tam, Papa Kerry, Steph, and Kirk.

We spent Thanksgiving up in Hooper this year. As always, it was great to see family. Thanksgiving morning, Aaron, Kyle, Kels, Jackson, Tanner, and I took the kids to the park. It was nice to get outside, but it was a little bit chilly. I'm not sure what the kids enjoyed more, the big metal slide, or the giant pile of leaves.

Tanner, me, and Kels snuggling on the park bench to keep warm.

After that we snacked and hung out around the house. I chatted with Mom while she made her famous rolls, Adelia played with Emree, and Tanner and Juicey B watched some football. After dinner was over the older boys had their own Turkey Bowl (two-hand touch football in the yard), and Aaron says he's going to be sore. When it got dark outside, Aaron took our boys exploring around Gramma's yard with flashlights...they were so impressed.

Dinner was fantastic as always. Kyle took the panoramic shot above, so that we could get everyone in the picture. (Ya, sorry family, I'm obsessed with record keeping, and I wouldn't let us eat until we'd documented the event.)

And I'd like to end this post with the Swan family turkey list (the things we've been writing down all month that we are grateful for), at first I tried to color coordinate the responses so that I would know who said what, but by the end it got a little hectic, I'll specify who said it if I can remember, but otherwise we're all just very thankful, so here it is...

Grateful Gobbler List 2012

Journaling

Snow plows

Friends

Email

New Socks (Linc)

Pie

Bedtime (Krystal)

Garage we can park in

All my preschool friends (Ivan)

Basketball hoop (Ivan)

Quiet Time (Krystal)

Homemade rolls (Aaron)

Jesus (Lincoln)

Chocolate

Able-bodied husband (Krystal)

Calm music

The car's traction control (Aaron)

Electricity

Hats

Lunch

New boots (Ivan)

Washer/dryer (Krystal)

Naps for me (Krystal)

Sunshine

Girls' night out (Krystal)

Snow shovel (Lincoln)

Aaron's job

Blankets (Ivan)

Hard-working husband (Krystal)

Balls

Book Club

Quality children's books

Aaron

Lincoln

Ivan

Adelia

Oliver

Chocolate

Thanksgiving (Ivan)

Holy Ghost (Lincoln)

Holy socks (Aaron)

Simple pleasures

Warm winter clothes

Our home

Potato Salad (Aaron)

Preschool co-op

Great ward

Puzzles

The baby in Mommy's tummy (Ivan)

Bathtub

Feeling good inside (Lincoln)

My visiting teachers

Books

Grandmas and Grandpas

Snowman building (Lincoln)

Sandwich (Ivan)

Internet

Garden Salad (Aaron)

Basketball hoop (Ivan)

Hugs from our kids (Aaron)

Heat

Computer savvy husband (Krystal)

My drill (Aaron)

Cheese (Ivan)

Conference talks

Fresh homemade bread

Glasses

Stuffed animals (Ivan)

My bouncy ball (Adelia)

My sister and brother (Lincoln)

Turkey (Adelia)

2-day shipping

Cousins

The day (Lincoln)

Jackets (Ivan)

Cell phones

The Holy Day (Lincoln)

Winter stuff we wear when it's snowing (Ivan)

Google maps

peaceful music

Scriptures

Running water

Comfortable beds

Extended family

Grocery stores

Cars

Traditions

Also, here are some cute videos of my kids telling the story of the first Thanksgiving.