This year we spent Thanksgiving with the Thorpes and it was yet another wonderful time with great family. For some families, there's this stereotype of "terrible in-laws" but it couldn't be more opposite for mine. If I can't be with my family, I want to be with Jay's family. I love spending time with my in-laws. Jay's family is some of the most caring, self-less, God-loving and funny people I know. I'm always refreshed when I'm there and this Thanksgiving was no exception. It all started like this...
Wednesday I was able to take a half-day off and meet up with my parents (who came in to spend Thanksgiving with Leslie) and little sister for lunch. After lunch we came back to the house to wait for Jay as he was finishing up his shift at the hospital. Mom had bought a sweatshirt football hoodie for Dash and he looked so cute in it!
He such a cutie - I might be a little obsessed.
Quick family pic!
We headed out for Little Rock at about 3 o'clock and arrived shortly after 9pm. Three whole days of relaxing, eating and fellowship with family had begun! We planned for Thanksgiving lunch with the whole crew minus Wes, Catherine, Alice and baby Jude. We missed them so much and will miss seeing them for Christmas, too. Time for some quick pics before lunch...
Rob and Billie - love them so much!
The Jay Thorpes
Sisters-in-law!
Oldest and youngest brothers - missing the middle
But here he is! With the whole family!! We had a great Skype conversation :) Love technology
Aunt Kiki and Uncle Jay with Jillian and Lainey
I should have taken a picture of all the food because there was SO MUCH! Everyone did such an incredible job preparing all the traditional Thanksgiving foods. We had seconds and some of us had thirds and we were all sufficiently stuffed! We spent the rest of the day relaxing, watching some football and movies, eating more and finally getting some (much needed?) rest! Friday was, of course, Black Friday so we dared to venture out to find some great deals but not too early. We were ready to go about 10 o'clock and found a few good things after hitting 3 or 4 different stores! Friday was also the big battle for the boot: #3 Arkansas vs. #1 LSU! After shopping we headed over to Matt and Akina's to watch the big game.
GO HOGS!!
Jillian got into some chocolate... She's so cute!
Popa, Jilly and Lainey snuggling!
Aw... girl pic!
Mimi, Jilly, Lainey and Mr. Peaches
Unfortunately, the Razorbacks did not play their best and ended up losing big time to LSU. :( It was so frustrating but we still love those piggies! Friday night Billie made a delicious chicken enchilada casserole and we began The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (which we finally finished Monday night).
Saturday we did some more shopping at the mall and came home to get ready for Matt's birthday celebration that night. Jilly and Lainey came all dressed up...
...And wanted Uncle Jay and Aunt Kiki to join in on the fun, too! :)
Singing "Happy Birthday" to Matt - #33!
Everyone helping Daddy open presents!
Matt and Jay even put on a show for us! Chun Ji, anyone?
After all the festivities were over, we were sad to see the weekend come to an end. But as always, we had another blessed time with family. And we look forward to the next time we will have together! Jay and I wanted to be home at a decent hour so we skipped church and headed out at about 9:30, stopped in Fayetteville for lunch at Flying Burrito (yum!) and were home by 3:30. We spent the evening together unpacking, organizing and watching The Return of the King on tv. Overall, a wonderful weekend. We are beyond blessed, indeed.
