Here With Our Family

Happy Thanksgiving!!

These past few days have been busy. 

A good busy. 

They've been family-filled, food-filled, and fun-filled!

On Thanksgiving day, Makayla and Mason got to go to both of their great grandma's homes - Great Grandma Allen and Great Grandma McWilliams.  How lucky are they?  Not only do Makayla and Mason still have two great grandmas still here, able, and independent, but they get to see them whenever they want.  They get to grow up with knowing the love of their great grandmas.  And not only are they lucky to have their great grandmas, but they are lucky to grow up in a world surrounded by their family.  

Family is so important and since having kids I couldn't imagine living our life away from our family. 

I know some people are in situations where they don't have a choice, but I thank God every day that we are here.  Here with our family. It's the best thing for our kids.

And for those of our family who do have to live away, we are so thankful that they come 'home' to visit and play.  We always look forward to our special time with them.

Aunt Nina with our two little booger butts on Thanksgiving!

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Friday morning - BLACK Friday - Kevin took the kids shopping for Christmas jammies...and he took his grandma.  Makayla and Mason picked out a pair of cute Christmas jammies and Makayla loved them so much she was insistant on wearing them around the mall.  So, of course, Kevin dressed her in the new jammies and sent me a picture, because while they were out braving the hustle and bustle, I was at work.  The picture of Makayla in her jammies put a smile on my face.

Makayla had a great morning - Daddy, Mason, Great Grandma Mac, the Mall, cookies, Christmas jammies...what more could a little girl want on a Friday morning?

Again - one more reason why I would never choose to leave here - Makayla was sooo excited to take her great grandma shopping with her!...and I'm sure Great Grandma Mac was just as excited to go with Makayla!

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That afternoon, Kevin and the kids picked me up from work and we headed to Osaka!!

Osaka is a Japanese restaurant, Hibachi and Sushi Bar, that I'm in love with!

We were meeting Grandma and Grandpa Allen, Aunt Nina, and Scot for a fun night around the grill.

 Mason loves Osaka just as much as I do.  He squealed and clapped with every burst of fire on the grills, he looooved the noodles, and had a great time flirting with all the cute girls at the next table.

The chef would throw rice and we'd have to catch it in our mouth.  Makayla wanted to give it a try, so Nina played the chef and Makayal opened her mouth wide!

 

Again - one more reason why I would never choose to leave here - Grandma and Grandpa Allen are here.  And so are Grandma and Grandpa Curry.  Makayla and Mason's grandparents are the four biggest and best influences in their lives.  I know it will be years and years from now before my kids ever realize how lucky they were to grow up with their grandparents just down the street and I know it will be years and years from now before they will appreciate it.

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Yesterday, Makayla had a lunch/movie date with her cousins - Bieber shirt and all.  We met at McDonalds to eat a little and play a lot, then we headed to the theaters to watch Arthur Christmas.  After the movies, we went back to Ky and Kole's house so the kids could play for a little bit.  They ate pizza and breadsticks and then each of them grabbed a spoon and ate Egg Nog ice cream right out of the carton.  They were in heaven.  Their mommy and I enjoyed the playdate just as much as the kids did.  It's one of the best feelings in the world when you can see your kids playing together, having fun, and forming bonds that will last a lifetime.

Again - one more reason why I would never choose to leave here - Makayla and Mason have Kyleigh, Kole, Aunt Jenny, and Uncle Andy...and Makayla loves them soooo much.

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 Thankfulness is a choice - one that we have to make in all situations - not just the good.