Thanksgiving weekend 2013

Every year I am even more sure that Thanksgiving weekend is my favorite weekend of the year. How can you not love four days of family and friend time, good food and drink, and a relaxed schedule?

Thanksgiving 2013 was really, really good to us. Ben took Wednesday off and even though Gracie and Luke had school, the rest of us enjoyed a quiet day together. We ran some errands, watched a little TV, packed for the trip, and I had some uninterrupted time to work on some projects for the etsy shop. Thursday was a full day of fun at my mom and dad's house for Wingard Thanksgiving followed by Catching Fire at the Avon Theatre with my parents and my brother.

Friday morning my mom and I took the girls for just a little Black Friday shopping. We made it through one store (JoAnn's) before deciding we'd had our fill. I think I am just not a Black Friday shopper. That afternoon Ben took the boys over to his parent's house while Gracie and I had some quiet crafting time with my mom and while Katie took a long and much-needed nap. Friday night was a great evening of hanging out at Patti and Paul's for unbelievably delicious soups and lots and lots of talking. There was even a beer tasting game of sorts for the guys. The kids had so much fun playing with Joe and Will that I barely saw them the entire night.

We spent Saturday morning walking around downtown Decatur with Patti. Taylor and Bridget met us and we had a great time shopping in a few of the stores and enjoying the nice weather.  On Saturday afternoon Ben and Bryan took Gracie and Luke to cheer on our high school basketball team at the Turkey Tournament while Katie and I hung out with my parents and Drew had a great time getting Nini and Papa all to himself for a little Monopoly time. Saturday night was Thanksgiving with our friends at a new restaurant in downtown Decatur followed by many drinks at the Winery to celebrate Scott's birthday.

This morning we were treated to breakfast by Paul while Patti took Gracie to yoga class at her gym. All four kids slept the entire drive back to St. Louis, just worn out from a busy three days of fun.

All in all, I just can't think of how the weekend could have been nicer.

 

Love these girls. 

beer tasting

Movie Night (Despicable Me 2) with Nini and Papa

giggling with great Grandma Wingard

lifelong friends

My dad snapped this picture as Gracie and I enjoyed some time crafting with my mom. 

hanging out downtown with Taylor, Bridget, and Nini

I love this picture.

beer tasting action shot

Scott and Meggie

singing Happy Birthday to Scott
The restaurant did not do anything for birthdays, so Kari improvised. 

Gracie was a bit taken with sweet Isabel. 

Katie showing off Binky Bunny to Aunt Jacky

one of three kid tables on Thursday-
the Wingard family keeps growing and growing