Thanksgiving Part III, The Wrap

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving break.  It was just fun being all together.  Things with Aubrey and I have been up and down.  (Mutually annoyed with one another often.)   But having Bryn in the mix really helped us both have a good break.   A few of the highlights: going the movies together, movie night at home, game nights (Settlers, Skull King and Jackbox games), Black Friday shopping (Bryn & Aub), and Christmas decorating.  Well, I really enjoyed/appreciated the Christmas decorating help.  I don't know that it was a highlight for everyone else, but it was for me!)

I am really glad the girls went out shopping on Friday.  I gave them money for Christmas if they found clothing they liked....and they both did!  That is very helpful on my end.  I had purchased some gifts and had others in mind, but as far as clothes go, I needed their input.  Double bonus, they came home and wrapped their gifts as well.  

Here are a few random pictures to wrap up our Thanksgiving break.

Bri is sewing a puff ball back on the pillow.

Decorating...many hands make light work.

Elder Ili's visa FINALLY came in and he is headed to India.  We have really enjoyed his big smile, easy interactions, beautiful scripture insights and the time he has spent in our home.  He and Tanner have been friends, and they were both bummed that they missed this goodbye.  

Kaide was super tired but Elder Ili still got a fist bump goodbye in.

We gave Kaide his Christmas present early.  Bri and I knew he was about ready for this phase and would outgrow it quickly.  He was a fan!  He's a little short though so they added a box, then a blanket and settled on a towel to make it work just right.

The cutest part was watching everyone loving watching him enjoying his new toy.  We were a captive audience for sure.

A couple of last snuggles before our Brinley Kate heads back to school.  So grateful for a fabulous Thanksgiving break.

Thanksgiving Part II, The Day 2022

My mom is homebound these days and we really wanted my dad to be able to come enjoy Thanksgiving.  That gets tricky though because we know our two fabulous caregivers, Julie and Heidy, need to be home with their families as well.  Also, my dad was really cute.  He kept saying he didn't want to leave my mom.  He said, "I know she has no idea Thanksgiving is happening, but I just feel bad leaving her out."

This is them Thanksgiving morning. 

We, siblings & in-laws, try to rotate helping with Gram so Grandpa can come to Sunday night gatherings, church or holiday events.  Brian volunteered to miss Thanksgiving and help with her, but I didn't want him to miss the whole thing.  He took the first hour and Becky & Brian M. took the second.

Thanksgiving was a little different this year.  It seemed small with only Adam and Megan representing the Chris Vores, no Pitts, no Kings, and a little disjointed with the tag team Gram care happening.  Overall though it was fun to be together and enjoy lots of yummy food as we celebrated Thanksgiving.

Little kid table plus Bryn and Grandpa (Bryn, Perry, Ella, Grandpa, Blair, Char & one of Kim's girls)

Kerry and family       Quetta, Stevie, ?... Tye's boyfriend, Tye, Kerry and Holden  

Tye, Quetta's son who is 18, met his boyfriend online and this was their first time together....talk about a lot of PDA at the family gathering.  It was quite uncomfortable.  (Am I allowed to say that on my own blog?  I'm going to say yes. 😏 Everything is very controversial these days.  It would have been very awkward and uncomfortable if it were a guy and a girl...but it was even more so between to guys. Way too much PDA!)

Aunt Aubrey and the Kaidester

I forgot Jake & Charity made a quick appearance...so that's two more Vores.  The others at the table are Beth, Nate, Don & Cathy Bonifay & Shari Martin

Brian & Sutton Merkley, Braddock, Hud, Griffin Merkley, Erin & Tanner

The girls loved having Brinley home.  Perry, Char, Bryn, Blair  Ella

Bryn and Grandpa

We needed to get a family picture for Grandma & Grandpa Gwilliams Christmas card.  That was a little tricky especially when we didn't think Brinley was coming home.  We had a cute one in April from the cruise but no Kaide or Erin.  Then we could take one to send to Grandma but we wouldn't have Brinley.  It was perfect that she came home.  We were able to take a quick picture and send it to Karol to add the the card.  (Parker has his own photo beside our family one.)

Sister picts!

Love my girls!

This little arcade table was pretty cute! (Lincoln, Griff, Perry, Sutton, Christian & Hud)

Hold, Aub & Hud

Cute little family! Erin, Tanner & Kaide  The M word is starting to be mentioned, and I'm so glad.  They are looking at this summer after they graduate.

Friendsgiving

November 23, 2022

Aubrey and her group of friends now how to feast!  They had a Thanksgiving/Friendsgiving gathering at our house the day before Thanksgiving.  Maiya was at her dad's house, but other than that, her friend group was able to come.  They had a great time making and bringing charcuterie boards, playing board games, peppering with the volleyball and playing Jackbox games on the big screen.

 

Nissi, Aliaya, Parker, Maci and Aub  These girls were all on the JV Black volleyball team at PHS this year.

It was a true Thanksgiving display in that they had 5x the food needed for their get together.

Parker brought the Whataburger tray.  Aub did the traditional board right behind it.  She also had the drink (a white grape juice/ginger ale punch) and made some pumpkin chocolate chip bread.  She and Nissi decorated.

Maci brought this yummy donut/dessert tray.

Nissi brought the gorgeous fruit tray in the corner.

Aliyah brought the snack tray.  It seemed to me the girls loved this one and the Whataburger charcuterie board the most.

The girls were silly, loud, and crazy most of the time.  I'm glad Aubrey has a fun group of friends.  

Thanksgiving Break Part I

A few pictures from the week of Thanksgiving.  (I'll do a separate T-day post.)

Hanging out!

Bryn was so glad to get her Kaide snuggles in.  We all love him so much.

I love seeing these three together just wanting to relax together in the same room.

Kaide came down with RSV right before Thanksgiving.  So sad.  These two were great about taking care of all his needs.  He was not a fan of the mask over his face, but if they had book distractions, he did better.

Gram was so very happy to see Brinley.  

Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday at Fudruckers...with almost the whole gang!!!

The Merks are in town!  We don't get to see these cute cousins often enough.  Back: Aub and Braddock (not Merkleys), Blair, Perry and Becky Merkley, Hudson (in black sweat suit), Sutton and Griffin at the front

Dad and his girls.  Me (Erin Gwilliam), Dad (Steve Vore), Becky Merkley and Britney Bird

Char, Blair, Ella, Bryn, Hud, Aub and Perry

Bri even made it, and he usually isn't able to come.  Brit, Beck, Me, Bri, Bryn and Grandpa

I'm guessing there was some boy teasing going on.  She came home for break with an official boyfriend. (Derek)

Nate and Beth were in town too!  Kerry, Nate, Dad/Grandpa/Steve, Eileen (Beth's mom) and Beth

Erin, Sutton, Tanner, Braddock, Hudson and Griffin

Ella, Char, Blair Aub and Perry (giving us the look!...she was being silly on purpose.)

You can never look too comfortable around my dad.  You are never safe!  He loves jumping out behind a corner to scare you.  If you walk in front of his car, beware of him blaring the horn.  If you are relaxing on the couch, he might sit on you.  He's a crazy guy!