Thanksgiving Weekend Wrap Up: Part 2

So, I had full intentions on blogging Tuesday night so I would have this post published for Wednesday, but life got in the way ;) We had a crazy hectic Tuesday night! Earlier this week, I blogged about our Thanksgivings....head here to check them out! 

The day after Thanksgiving, all of the girls in my family loaded up and headed to Branson, Missouri. It's how we spend every Friday after Thanksgiving. This year, we decided to skip out on Black Friday shopping and head straight to Silver Dollar City! It was forecasted to rain on Saturday and we didn't want to get rained out! 

After the longest bathroom stop ever, we were ready to head in to the park! And, it was cold!!! (As evidence by bundled up Megan!)

So, I made a rookie mistake and left the stroller at home.  I brought along my Ergo, knowing that Adalyn is still small enough to fit, but didn't think about how annoying it would be without a stroller in the park, and when we shopped. On the bright side, our body heat kept us both warm! And once we made it in to the park, we grabbed a double stroller! 

Meggie and I were ready! Psst... you can find my puffer vest here in select colors or grab it in plaid! 

Once we made it in to the park, we hit up the hot air balloon ride! Gretchen, Megan, and Yaya were big enough to ride by themselves! 

And Adalyn and I rode right behind them in our own balloon! This one is Addy's favorite ride! 

After the ride, we went to a theater to watch the Tinker Toys show! We told the girls since it was so cold we would try to spend some time watching shows versus riding all the rides! So, this was the cutest show ever! Raggedy Ann invited all of the kids on stage, and the toys came to life, and they sang Christmas carols! And she was even sweet enough to pose with the girls after the show! 

We grabbed some hot chocolate and a funnel cake and then went off to ride just a few more rides. 

And since the girls were fighting over the double stroller, we figured Adalyn was small enough to ride on top! And, she loved it up there! 

While the big girls rode a ride, Adalyn and I rode the frogs! And then we headed to another theater to watch the Living Nativity. 

Once we got out of the theater, it was darker and the Christmas lights were on! We had dinner and then settled in to watch the lights parade! 

Addy was mesmerized! 

As soon as the parade was over, we headed back to the house we rented to watch Tulsa win their game against Cincinnati! 

Saturday morning we were up and ready for a day of shopping! We rented a stroller at the mall which was the best idea ever! It held the kids, our purses, and our shopping bags!

Outlet malls here we come! 

So, ever Megan had her ears pierced in July, Adalyn has been asking and requesting to have her ears pierced. I was planning on waiting until just before kindergarten, like we did with the other girls, but there's just something so cute about Adalyn and we couldn't resist! 

So, we called her daddy on the phone, and he gave us the go-ahead, and by the end of our day she was sitting in the chair at Claire's with her earrings picked out! 

She did great!!! Seriously, so good and I was so proud of her!!! I mean, the initial piercing was painful, and she cried for a few minutes, but she sat and was ready like such a big girl and was a happy girl once she received her sucker! 

We sent this picture to her daddy after all was said and done! 

And, then, we were off to ride go-carts! 

And, it was freezing! 

Gretchen was able to ride by herself so we watched and waited on her, and then my mom and Adalyn were going to ride, and Megan and myself were going to ride... . but once we got on, Adalyn changed her mind because it was so loud, which left just Megan and I riding. 

And at first she wasn't too thrilled! And then she had a BLAST!

When we were finished, the worker let my mom take my niece, and then Megan rode again with her Aunt Tiffany! 

So fun, so cold!!!

We made it back to the house and everyone else was waiting on us- whoops! We ate pizza and then the kids all made a Christmas plate! 

Megan drew a snowman. 

Adalyn combined lots of colors! 

And Gretchen drew a detailed picture of the nativity. 

Megan added some stars, grass, and a Christmas tree to her plate!

When they were finished, we baked their plates in the oven, and they'll have them every year in Branson! 

Sunday morning we were up and ready to leave... but we had to make a quick pit stop to visit Santa! 

My mom made the girls their Christmas pajamas this year! It's the first time in a few years that I wasn't able to make them! But, they're so cute! 

This year, we opted for striped pants, and added their names. 

We always take a sister-cousin picture. 

And then just a sister picture! 

Adalyn told Santa that she wants a pink suitcase for her baby dolls so her mom can carry it around. Megan asked for a Baby Alive, and Gretchen asked for a microscope. 

And, Santa may come through with everything on their wish list this year! 

We found a snowman as we were leaving! 

And a fire.............

We had a quick lunch and then we headed home!

It was such a fun weekend with wonderful memories made! I always look forward to this time of year and our annual girls-Branson trip!

Thanksgiving Wrap Up: Part 1

Hi friends! I'm back to blogging after taking several days off to enjoy Thanksgiving and time with my family! The days were much needed, and so enjoyed!

Here's a little look back at our week. 

Adalyn had pajama day at school last Tuesday and, she had a pizza party to celebrate winning a school contest! Pizza and pajamas- yes, please! 

After school on Tuesday, I rounded everyone up, and headed to the football office to pick up a puppy! My cousin purchased a labradoodle from right here in Tulsa, so we picked up the puppy and puppy sat for the evening!

The girls were so excited! 

We did have to give the puppy a quick bath because we noticed a few fleas on her and a tick. But, seriously, it was the cutest thing ever seeing DJ give him a bath in the sink! 

And the next day, he was all clean and playing with a few toys before we loaded up to leave on our trip. 

I spent Tuesday morning cleaning up the kitchen, packing like a mad woman, and making mac-n-cheese for our Thanksgiving lunch with the football team. Do you ever have those hectic packing days, where you just know you've left something behind? Well, when that happens, I roll on some  Stress Away, and say "oh well, we will just live without whatever I forgot" and deal with it! 

(Thankfully we arrived in Arkansas and I don't think I left anything behind!)

Before driving home to Arkansas, we ran up to the football office so we could have lunch with DJ and the team. 

We were excited for some food! 

This guy and I never get to spend Thanksgiving together. I can think of three years in almost eleven years of marriage, that we actually spent a Thanksgiving together. He's made me promise that I stay home next Thanksgiving and that people can come and visit us! 

After our Thanksgiving lunch, we said our goodbyes and the girls (and the puppy) and I headed home to Arkansas. 

4 hours later, we arrived..... here's a peek in to our Thanksgiving:

Wednesday night, my cousins came to pick up their puppy, and they took Gretchen home with them for a sleepover. Megan went down to my niece's house, and Adalyn tried too, but ended up coming home to me. 

Thursday morning, we woke up to watch the parade and I attempted my grandmother's homemade yeast rolls. 

Except, I wasn't too sure about the yeast step, and ended up adding too much sugar and too much water. Thankfully, no one seemed to mind, but it was pretty difficult making these without my grandmother watching over my shoulder this year. 

Addy and I were ready for lunch! 

And these two walked in matching from head to toe! 

These girls are 6 weeks apart and they have so much fun together! 

Before lunch, the girls colored and drew pictures. 

It's time for food, and we're excited!!!! 

We stuffed ourselves full of turkey, ham, rolls, green bean bundles, broccoli-rice casserole, sweet potatoes, and more. Everything was so yummy!

And then the girls crafted some more. 

They were entertained for hours! 

After everyone left, we attempted to get some family pictures. 

Gretchen wasn't wanting to cooperate, because I interrupted her reading time. 

And a silly one, just because! 

And one of just the sisters! 

And with our sister-cousin! 

We had the best Thanksgiving! It was so fabulous to see our loved ones, our extended family, and even some friends. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, and I'm so thankful for the people that walk along side of me!