More from our time in Texas:

Just wanted to share a few more pictures from our time in Texas over Thanksgiving. After all of the holiday festivities were over, we got to spend some time visiting with our friends who live there. We met two of Gary's childhood friends and their wives at Torchy's Tacos for lunch one day.  The food was delicious, and it was so cute to see his two friends loving on Elliott. We also got to meet up with one of my college roomates, Tate, and her husband, Jesse along with Laura and Caleb who were on their way home from visiting his grandparents. We also continued to enjoy more time with family at my in-laws house, eating several yummy meals, playing with E, discussing politics, and watching the Hogs add one final L to their record. It was such a relaxing weekend.

Elliott's First Thanksgiving

[Disclaimer: This post will be a little long, and very photo heavy, but we got so many great pictures with our new camera over Thanksgiving that I had a hard time narrowing it down, so bear with me.] 

Gary and I spend Thanksgiving in Texas with his family every year since we always have a 4 day break and can maximize our time with them better than at Christmas. I always look forward to visiting with them, having a change of scenery and eating a delicious Thanksgiving feast at his Aunt and Uncle's house. This year was especially fun because it was the first time for Elliott to be with us, and his Gary's grandparents and his aunt and uncle on his Dad's side came to Texas to join us.

We arrived in Wylie around midnight on Wednesday night.  Thankfully Elliott slept the entire drive and went back down easily when we arrived.  We stayed up late visiting with my Mother and Father-in-law, and got up early to play with Elliott Thursday morning. Gary and his Dad dug out a large box of Gary's Ninja Turtle toys from when we was a kid, and Elliott was instantly interested in the action figures. It was fun to watch Gary go through them and reminisce on his childhood and then to watch Elliott play with them as though they were brand new.

After a fun day playing at Grandma and Grandpa's, we all headed over to Gary's Aunt and Uncle's home in Allen to have Thanksgiving dinner with his Mom's side of the family. I wanted Elliott to get to have a traditional Thanksgiving meal with us, so I brought him a jar of vegetable turkey dinner. He also got to try some of the foods on my plate. His favorites were broccoli, rice and cheese casserole, the rolls, and his Grandma's mashed potatoes.

We enjoyed sitting at the "kids table" visiting with Gary's sister, her husband and their cousins. We're so thankful for our loving families and our wonderful friends this year, as always, and especially for Elliott and the joy he brings us all. Hope your Thanksgiving was full of laughter, fun and family! I've got lots more pictures to share from our time in Texas when I can find the time to blog again, so check back soon.

Life lately, according to my iPhone.

(1.) Operation Christmas Child.  (2.) Thanksgiving dinner.

(3.) Gary and Murphy. (4.) Grant family siblings.

(5.) Our fun tree. (6.) Peace. (7.) Big Santa.

(8.) Christmas tree shopping. (9.) Our real tree.

Thanksgiving 2011.

We spent our Thanksgiving in Fort Worth, TX with Gary's family, as is our usual tradition.  While we were there his family also had a baby shower for Elliott.  We got more nice things, and I think aside from his carseat, Elliott is set!  What a lucky little boy to have such sweet family.

While in Texas, we ate lots of good food, watched the Hogs heartbreaking game against LSU, and spent time catching up with family.

Elliott's shower in Texas.

Opening gifts for Elliott.

Gary's sister, Gina and her husband, Zach at Thanksgiving dinner.

Enjoying a delicious Thanksgiving dinner at Garys Aunt and Uncle's house in Allen, TX.

My mother and father-in law at Kincaid's Hamburgers.

We have so much to be thankful for this year! We're looking forward to cherishing our last holiday season as a family of two.  The next time we travel to Texas we'll be bringing an extra family member!

Operation: Turkey and Dressing.

Once a month a group of girls that were in my social club at OBU gather for dinner somewhere.  It's a great way for us to all keep in touch and up to date on what is going on in each other's lives.  This month we decided to have a Thanksgiving potluck at my house.  Since I don't work on Mondays, I volunteered to make the turkey and dressing and the other girls brought the sides.

I have never cooked a turkey or made dressing.  I always thought turkey and dressing was one of those meals only your grandma was brave enough to try.  This was the perfect opportunity to branch out and try something new.  (Let's be honest, cooking in general is branching out for me.) 

So, I found a recipe for dressing, and I busted out the frozen turkey we got at Gary's company Christmas party last year (I know, technically that's not really "cooking" a turkey, but cut me some slack here), and I gave it a whirl.  Both the turkey and the dressing were a hit, and the fellowship with these girls was sweet.  Best of all, now I feel like I can cook anything!

Tonight I'm thankful for friends and food!  After this early Thanksgiving meal, I'm looking forward to the time we will spend with family giving thanks for all the blessings God has given us this year.