Giving Thanks

We went back to Hickory to celebrate Thanksgiving with our friends who became our family during our tenure there!  We ate, talked, laughed, played games, danced, sang along with Pandora, and giggled all day and into the night!

the kids table

Eden, Brandon, Jacob, Cooper, Lexi, Taylor & Reagan

 The adults

Brian, Amy, Linda, Greg, Tara, Jessica, & Duane

 after a delicious lunch, we headed outside for some driveway gating!  We had the tents set up, football on tv, desserts and a fire pit

 the boys played a little football

 Cooper played pirates

 the girls ate dessert

 the adults played corn hole...and I just have to brag that Greg and I are the BAMily grand champions of corn hole!!

 giving daddy a kiss

 mmm, hot chocolate!

 petting Gracie

 Jess, Me, Amy

 silly guys

 they can be somewhat normal too!

 Cooper was feeling left out of the photos

 they all made fun of me for having on 3 shirts, a fleece jacket, and a toboggan...but I was warm!

 Cooper and daddy

 Cooper and mommy (Reagan spent most of her time with the "big girls" away from mom & dad)

 Fun around the fire

 doesn't that face scream "enough with the pictures!"?

 roasting marshmallows

 enjoying the fruits of his labor

 one more girl photo

 I love this man!

 the Boninis joined us for the fire pit fun!

It was so good to see all of our friends again.  Too bad our time was short.  We were able to join up with more friends, but alas there are no pictures.  We visited with Ms Deb before we left and we met up with the Whitfords for a four hour breakfast at the Cracker Barrel!

The First Thanksgiving

Today, Reagan's 2nd grade class put on a play for the entire school.  The play was "The First Thanksgiving" and there were 3 performances.  Reagan was lucky enough to have mom, dad, Cooper, Gigi, Mamaw & Papaw all cheering for her in the audience!

 

 the pilgrims before the play

Reagan and Bonnie

 singing the National Anthem

 Showtime

 Reagan and her bestie ~ Kayti

 Reagan was over having her picture made, but here are a few of her supporters ~ Mamaw, Papaw & Gigi

Early Thanksgiving

After church today, we celebrated an early Thanksgiving lunch with our new Bible study group.  Most of the group was able to join us.  We're so blessed to be able to host this group of people for Bible study each week.  We're quickly becoming good friends too!

 

Sleeping with the Sharks

Reagan's Girl Scout Troop had an overnight activity at Ripley's Aquarium.  They got to sleep with the sharks.  It was a great program full of art, learning, eating and a little sleeping!

Ready to go!

 The scouts brave enough to sleep with the sharks!

 learning about Sting Rays and Sharks

 the sting rays were huge!

 Petting a sting ray

 The craft was an ancient art form called fish printing

 Reagan's finished pillow case

 This is the shark that seemed to be above us everytime we opened our eyes

 spider crabs

 Reagan and Rachael looking at the fish from inside the tank

 on the scavenger hunt

 After sleeping in the tunnel with the sharks, we awoke the next morning to learn about penguins.  Reagan's favorite penguin was named Maggie

 Learning about white spotted bamboo sharks.  Reagan (correctly) answered almost every question the educator asked.  She says she wants to be a marine biologist when she grows up!

 petting the sharks

acting silly

 Receiving her certificate & patch for completing the activities

Kids at Play

Reagan and Cooper have enjoyed having their own playset in the backyard.  As soon as we get home from school, they run to the backyard to play!

 

A Friend's Birthday

Reagan attended a friend's birthday party this afternoon ~ it was a Scooby Doo Mystery Party.  I am so proud of her for making so many friends at school.

playing party games

 her team won!



 on a mystery scavenger hunt

 sucking m&ms up in a straw and placing in another bowl

 trying to stuff a jumbo marshmallow in her mouth and talk like Scooby-Doo

 Reagan and Ava

Veteran's Day Celebration

Reagan's school celebrated Veteran's Day today.  All kids were asked to wear red, white & blue and those who were in scouts could wear their uniforms.  

Reagan proudly wore her Brownie vest

 she couldn't wait to show off her patches from the fun activities we've done

Letter to God

Reagan woke up in the best mood this morning.  While I was cooking breakfast, she asked for a piece of paper and began writing.  She showed me her letter before she left for school ~ and I'll admit, I got a little teary eyed.

 

Dear God, I know some was (ways) that we can praise you.  We can sing to you. We can dance for you.  We can pary (pray) to you.  I will let you into my heart and I will Jesus in my heart as well.

 

Is that not the sweetest thing you have ever read?

School Pictures

Reagan's school pictures came home today.  I may be a little biased, but she is the most beautiful girl in the world!!