My Sister is a Saint

We traveled to Western Washington to visit my family for Thanksgiving. My sister LeAnn and her husband Russ offered to house our huge family in their small two bedroom townhome for three days and nights. They don't have any kids yet and are not used to the noise six kids can make. I'm sure we drove them absolutely bonkers, but they were very gracious hosts anyway.

The Arrival: When we arrived in the Seattle area Wednesday night, we all got together at Chuck E. Cheese's to eat dinner and let the kids burn off all of their pent up energy after sitting in the car for 6 hours. The kids were calm and ready for bed by the time we got back to LeAnn's that night. I can't say that the the rest of the time in her home was as peaceful.

The Dinner: LeAnn also offered to host Thanksgiving dinner at her home. We were excited to have my mom, her husband Mitch, and my little sis Sheraden, and Joe's sister Julie. My mom made a tasty turkey and stuffing, Julie made some delish rolls, LeAnn baked not one, not two, but THREE mouth watering apple pies, and I made the potatoes and "other stuff".

clockwise from left: Hans, Austin, my sis Sheraden, Jennabee (Joseph and Grant not pictured)

clockwise from left: Mitch, me, Julie, Joe, Russ, LeAnn, Mom

Black Friday: Thanksgiving night, Julie took ALL of my kids (except the baby) to her house for a sleepover and kept them with her the following morning which gave us a chance to shop. Our shopping trip was not typical Black Friday shopping. Joe and I slept in until eight or nine, met up with my mom, and satisfied my thrift-store addiction. We went to four thrift stores and I found lots of great stuff for my sewing projects, eccentric gifts, and adorable Laura Ashley dresses for the girls for a dollar each. I was thrilled.

Saying Goodbye: We left my sister's house Saturday morning, travelled to Marysville for a brief visit with some friends, then stopped at my mom's for one last goodbye before heading home.

Thanks LeAnn, Mom, and Julie for making our trip a fabulous one. I can't wait to do it all again!