Thanksgiving at the Benders

Each year, we celebrate Thanksgiving with the Bender family. It is a special treat to be able to be together as a family. There are 13 of us (14 soon!) and it is always a houseful of fun.

This year, we arrived on Wednesday night. After we put the little ones to bed, Lynne surprised Wesley and me with a Bender family shower for Philip. Everyone had brought presents for the little one and Wesley and I had a blast opening everything.

Shannon made Jackson a fleece train blanket when he was born. She asked Wesley what the theme was for Philip's nursery and Wesley said animals. She went to the store and picked out this animal print fleece which just happens to be the exact same design we are using for the room!! How great!





We opened our first monogrammed presents

Look at all the gifts we were showered with!

On Thursday, Lynne prepared a feast! We ate around 1:00 so that Paw-Paw could join us. Lynne's brother David and his wife Robin came into town and brought Paw-Paw over. We all enjoyed catching up with David and Robin and seeing Paw-Paw up and around.

Here is Lynne arranging all the Thanksgiving treats - cranberry apple bake, peas and cheese, dressing, smoked turkey....

Paw-Paw and 3 of his grandchildren


Jack and Lynne and her dad

There was a picture of Jack, Lynne, Robin, David and Paw Paw but I didn't end up with it :(

The Cumming Benders

Friday Wesley, Joel, Shannon, Ron and Jack got up early for Black Friday shopping. I took the year off and instead slept in and then met up with my friend Erin for coffee. It was so great catching up with her. Though we saw each other at Elizabeth's party, we didn't have time to really talk. I think we covered about everything in three hours at Starbucks!

Saturday, we had a lazy morning in our PJs and then headed to downtown Knoxville for the Festival of Trees. What a production! There were tons of beautifully decorated trees, musical performances, a carousel, crafts and Santa.

Jackson and Trent in their favorite spot - Grammy's lap reading a book!

Usually someone can be spotted at the kitchen table

Macey, Wesley and Jackson

Don't even start on how grown up Macey looks - when she walked in the door Wednesday night, I almost started crying...she is as tall as me! I can't believe I have how much has changed since I met this precious girl 11 years ago.

Jackson and his Da-Da

Macey and Ron

Ron and Shannon

Joel and Lynne

The crew enjoying breakfast

We attempted to get a group shot of the cousins in their matching Christmas PJs. This one turned out pretty good.

I had to include this reject which would have been good if Jackson hadn't found something else other than smiling to entertain him!

The cousins at the Festival of Trees

Jackson on the carousel

Jackson found the perfect lounging spot!

Our Christmas Card Photo

Wesley, Jackson and I had to leave Saturday afternoon to get home for a baptism at church. Our neighbor Sara asked Wesley to baptize her and of course, we didn't want to miss that! What a special way to end a holiday weekend.