We knew that Carman was going to be induced on Monday, Nov. 23rd and wouldn't be able to travel to Galena for Thanksgiving. So we needed an alternative plan for the week. Once again, my sister so graciously made arrangements for a lakehouse in Bella Vista for us. Jeff and I and my Mom traveled down on Sunday night after our Thanksgiving dinner at church and was able to get an early start the next morning to the hospital for Shep's arrival.
The lake is such a calming, peaceful setting and the lakehouse is a blessing each time we stay there.
I kept Laine and Ellie all week for Andy and Carman. Rachel, Copeland and Eisley came on Monday and stayed the rest of the week with us. Jonathan had to work during the day, but was there each evening and did stay overnight a couple of nights. Avi also stayed overnight with us one night and she and Josh were there during the day. Michelle joined us each evening (after working all day).
So it was a week of lots of fun with our kids and our grandchildren!
Carman and Shepherd were dismissed from the hospital on Tuesday. That evening they came out and ate dinner with us.
The four "Swart" men
This was our only night to have all the grandchildren together as Avi had to go to her Dad's on Wednesday for Thanksgiving.
We sure do love all 6 of these kiddos!
Copeland and Eisley thought it was funny faces time :-)
DeDe and her sweet baby boy
We had mild weather most of the week, so we enjoyed the outdoors a little bit.
The kids doing some sidewalk chalk drawing (Ellie had just fallen prior to this picture and wasn't interested in being in it)
They watched some Christmas movies
And there was lots of holding and cuddling
One morning, Grandma Boore fixed homemade donuts, I fixed bacon and Rachel made waffles
With our two youngest
Thanksgiving Day (Shep's first!)
We had the big dinner: turkey, mashed potatoes, Grandma's homemade noodles, Josh's homemade dressing, gravy, green been casserole, corn casserole, relish tray, fruit salad, cranberry sauce and cranberry salad; pink jello salad, and hot rolls. Pecan pie, pumpkin pie, angel food cake with strawberries, banana bread and cookies rounded out the meal.
We were glad that Jonathan's sister, Jennifer, was able to join us and appreciated so much all her hard work in getting the meal ready as well as cleaning up afterwards!
There wasn't room for everyone at the table, so Jeff and Andy gladly volunteered for the living room so they could watch football
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| Josh and Michelle chose the deck since it was so warm out |
The kiddos had the bar
After dinner, a lot of resting, playing, visiting
Eisley turned 14 months on Thanksgiving Day
Picture of the new Swart family of 5
And a picture of all the family (except for Avi who was at her Dad's)
It truly was a wonderful Thanksgiving to remember and be so very grateful for!!
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