Thanks-to-the-giving 2014

At some point during the ceremonies of the feast of thanksgiving 2014, it came to me in a pre-comatose vision that this was my 10th year of giving the thanks with the man I love and two of the Earth's best, my in-laws. I find it Bazaar (with a capital "B") that there are stretches of my life that can be measured in decades! It has been a decade since my "first hunt," and 9 years since my second hunt, and well that must be where the need to impress ended because in 2 tries I was over that whole getting up early to sit outside in the Wisconsin nonsense of coldness, praying that a deer might shuffle by, while praying that no one would kill it in front of me! hashtagBambi

These thanksgiving days when the human alarm clock arrives at the bedroom door, beckoning all the hunters to the hunt, I roll over and snuggle into the middle of bed, stretch my arms and legs out as wide as I can and belly-sleep the hours away until a little one wakes me to the sounds of impatient hunger. Why-oh-why can they just not eat more at dinner, or learn to feed themselves, or just learn to be awake and quiet at the same time?!?

This year was one of the precious few that we got to have the whole family together on the mountain! There just are not enough of these times! These 4 are a... FORCE!

There was some "crafting" to be had and surely no one at this table started eating the turkey craft supplies before we even got started!! 

The candy turkeys... well... they almost were NOT because sometimes Pinterest directions are lies and impossibilities!

So then one is left to think for oneself to get Oreos, candy corn, various chocolates, and frosting into poultry formations!

Though the left over frosting could not go to waste!

Grandma and Grandpa's house is filled with magics both inside and out, one of the outside magics is the sledding hill right off the front porch. 

Some get points for style. This guy took to "snowboarding" like it was nothing!

Some get points for flare. Yes, that wee one was gunning it so fast down the hill that she flew right off the back end!

Some get points for precision. This boy could repeatedly turn his sled 180 degrees to slide through his uncle's legs backwards...every time!

Some get points taken way for danger. These two... whoa... these two + speed + tree = negatory big ben!

All turned out alright, but those ladies need to learn to harness the power!

Once the outdoor shenanigans were completed, the indoor fun and poor choices abounded...

Leap frog = fun!

 Looking through the binoculars at a high powered flashlight = poor choice

 Opening presents in brand new PJs = fun

 Not keeping your eye on the ball = poor choice

Being awesome = fun

More leap frog = more fun

Fighting over toys with your fellow sibling = ugly poor choice

Grandpa reading one of his childhood favorites to his grandkids = sentimental fun-ness

Swinging from the rafters = really fun poor choice

Watching the snowfall from the warmth of the cabin = precious fun

Jumping on Grandma and Grandpa's bed = caught 'ya poor-choicing it, little lady!

All-in-all, this was a lovely time with family! We are so very thankful!

In other news, with the conclusion of my "impressive" hunting days, I thankfully birthed a lad that sees the enjoyment in such sport!

Just don't kill Bambi in front of him!