Thanks a lot

I woke up this morning and realized it was about that time again...


And with this guy at the helm, we knew we were about to have a good day!


He started us off right.




And it only got better from there.




While we missed having Matthew and Larsen here with us (you'll see their smiling faces again at Christmas), we had some special family with us to share the fun and the food.


We also had (for the 2nd year running) some good friends that are like family join us as well. Jo and John!


We are immensely thankful to have these two with us again. These two have both battled cancer this year and, by God's grace, are doing so much better! We love them!

We toasted to health and happiness!




And then some of us got involved in a very serious turkey cutting mission.




I seriously stand in awe of my amazing cook of father. This blog does a good job of high lighting this man's talents, but I would say cooking is at the top of the list!


Turkey, ham, dressing, squash casserole, rice and butter beans, macaroni and cheese, rutabagas, collards, yams, and fried okra.




And while mother CAN cook who would want to with Top Chef in da house? But Deb's talents do not go unnoticed.


She is our resident decorator and Festiveness Coordinator.














Around 2:30pm, we sat down and this happened.


Then this happened.


Look at Alan pulling in with the surprise Banana Pudding! I didn't think I liked Banana Pudding but I stand corrected.


It was a great Thanksgiving and as always a wonderful time to think about all the wonderful blessings in our lives. There are just too many to count. And while there's not enough time in the world to thank God for them all - we'll spend the next year trying our best to do so!

Happy Thanksgiving!

A lot of thanks

Family Resemblance

People have always said I look just like my daddy.

I just don't see it.

Celebrate we did (like a month ago)

Our dear Debra D turned an undisclosed number of years old on November 4th.

My dad had a lady at his office make a homemade birthday cake that gave us all even more reason to celebrate.


This cake and I met up an undisclosed number of times over the course of that weekend.

As I think I already mentioned (like a month ago when it actually happened) - Matthew and Larsen rolled into town to celebrate the bday and also go to the GSU game on Saturday.

As usual, we were sooooooo happy to see them Friday night. They are a couple of crazy goons, but we find them to be equal parts lovable and entertaining.


My dad had been announcing our high school's football game, but when he returned we dined on Shrimp Casserole (do not let me father tell you that I pick all of the shrimp out of it. It's a lie.)

Our after-dinner show included Matthew and Larsen's wedding video! It was so sweet to watch and we were in tears laughing so hard at all of M&L's friends as they gave their well-wishes to the bride and groom. Talk about some crazy goons for real.




Saturday we got up with one thing on the mind - football. Actually, 2 things. Football and tailgating. Anticipation was only heightened with things like this littering the counter tops.


It was a little chilly out but that just gave us more reasons to hug.


Larsen's parents and sister were there!






Plus a lot of other friends came by!




Can anyone spot the Bentonator?


Sisters-in-laws by chance, friends by choice. Crazy by natural ability to be ridiculous at a moment's notice.


Did I mention how much we love Larsen's fam!




And did I tell you how when the Tysons stand next to them it looks like an episode of Little People, Big World?


Pretty soon it was game time. Can you spot the happiest man in America?




I think I already mentioned (like a month ago when it happened) that this particular game was somewhat touch and go.


But in the end - victory.






It was a perfect day of doing what we love with the people that we love.


Sunday we went to church and it was made extra special by the fact that M&L were with us but also because it was the first service at the newly built sanctuary at my parent's church.


It was a packed house and it was an amazing service!


Can you spot Big Al in the choir (looking at his phone because somehow he locked it and couldn't figure out how to get it unlocked).


After church we went to eat at The Beaver House.

We took advantage of our wait time by taking family photos.


Grammy!


Cutest couple in America.


With the cutest little lady.


You know how those babies in the fam are never ones to be left out of a cute picture opportunity....


The Tyson women. We have "New Girl" Tyson, "Someone please de-Tyson her" Tyson, and "Old Girl" Tyson respectively.


It was definitely great family weekend!