Thanksgiving! Yes, the one from 2012 . . . .

Instead of beginning this post with the obvious (and typical) first sentence of, "Well, it has been quite a while since I blogged last!", I will head in a different direction.

Let me just say that 2013 has brought with it a renewed determination to capture my life in this format. I, like so many of you, sometimes have trouble justifying sitting down to the computer for large hunks of time. There are things to be done, children and a husband to care for, a house to keep nailed down and functioning....and blogging, at least for me, has fallen waaaay down on my list of priorities.

But, when it lacks, I find I always miss it.

Writing, for me, is therapeutic.  I have always enjoyed it, and, more so,  I love looking back over all the posts (many, now, from several years ago). What will I look back on if I don't make a better effort to put something in this very space? :)

So, I will play catch up for a bit, for much has happened in our lives I'd like to share. I also plan on "writing" more than I have lately; I miss that. Not just posting family events and pictures all the time, but sharing some of my thoughts about different things.  I hope those of you who joined me in the past are still here, and maybe we will meet some new friends along the way as well. Welcome, if that is you today!

The last week of November is one of the most joyous times of year on Shane's side of the family. It is the one time of year we (Shane, his two brothers, mom and dad, the three wives, and the 11 grandchildren between us!) are all guaranteed to be together, and we look forward to it all year!

I can't wait to share our week in pictures...so buckle down, here we go!

This is the beautiful lot of girls we have! They are each so unique and precious, I can hardly stand it.

And I couldn't resist listing their beautiful names:

L to R: Annelyse, Lola (with Lilliana's flower), Livy, Reese, and Evangeline

Reese, holding the newest addition!

Ah. Little Annelyse. Her smile attempts to hide her orneriness,

 and she is just the cutest little 2 year old there is :)

Shane helping Lola hold Evangeline

Lola and Annelyse are great together. They are almost exactly nine months

apart, and help each other when needed. Like, with shoes!

Getting ready to play

Livy, me, Annelyse and Reese. Love this picture.

One of my sisters in law, Karie, and their youngest, Nolan

Present night! The kids' favorite night of the whole week!

I think Uncle Rog was more excited than all the kids put together.

My other sister in law, Aimee, holding one of Evangeline's new gifts

Helping Nolan open his sword

Annelyse and Lola both got new "pets"! They were thrilled!

This spells danger. Callen + Nerf = take cover!

E looooved his gift from Luke....and Luke loved his from Ethan!

Everyone, please meet Darth Vader and Darth Maul.

Lola would not put her kitty down all night (and still won't). 

Reese LOVED making her own messenger bag!

I told you. (Uncle Rog probably doesn't even let Luke have turns with the Maul mask.)

On second thought, Movember Rog--keep the mask on. Bahahaaaa!!

This shouts hysterical to me. Uncle Jay, taking a duck lip picture with his attempt at Movember!

Auntie Dev and Annelyse again. Have I said how much I love my nieces?

Col and Lola, loving on Evangeline. All Colin wanted to do when she was around was hold her!

Oh. Be still my heart. Annelyse, snapping a picture of Lola!

Then my turn to snap one!

Cam, getting his turn with Evangeline. From the look on her face, 

he might have been squeezing loving her a bit too much!!

One night, we did movie night!

The kids (mostly) watched Brave.

Some of the moments of them together were so sweet.

The next day, the kids, on their own, decided to make a project for Grandma 'Nette.

They locked themselves in a bedroom, and all took turns making her a beautiful poster.

It said things like, "Thank you Grandma for being nice to us!"

They sat her down on the couch and brought it out, with much pomp and circumstance.

And of course, she was thrilled!

Then, it was Grandma's chance to do something special with the kids.

With much help, the children "made" their own Christmas ornaments! 

(*coughcough I smell tradtion *coughcough)

Lola, of course, wanted pink.

Then, a less complicated ornament, that just involved paint.

They turned out so well and looked beautiful on my tree this year!

A couple more shots of the girls, for good measure!

This is one of my very favorites and HAD to be framed once we got home.

Ethan, taking his turn with Evangeline

Our last "adventure" with the family was to a giant candy store, about 45 minutes away. 

The kids had so much candy fun they could hardly contain themselves!

The littles enjoyed trying on the 30 pairs of goggles/glasses :) ....

...and the older ones had fun reminiscing about candy they haven't seen in years!

Daddy found something special for Lola (who loves all things Hello Kitty right now!)

There was candy EVERYWHERE!

I think the kids' very favorite part was making their very own specialized pixie stix.

That's a lot of sugar folks!!

One more family shot before heading out. Grandpa, Grandma and 10 of 11 grand kids!

Thanksgiving was, as always, a fantastic time--we miss our family already but 

are thankful to have spent a wonderful week together!!