Time to Give Thanks

What are you thankful for?

Jessica and I went to Branson, MO to spend Thanksgiving with her family.  It was a wonderful weekend that was filled with plenty of food and fun.  We stayed at a beautiful seven bedroom home that had a little something for everyone to enjoy. 

Inside, there were three main attractions: 

1. Pool Table

The family had an absolute blast with the pool table.  Every night we had a pool tournament in which the highlight was Grandma's participation.  Classic!

2.  Beautiful patios with beautiful views.  

Sometimes a change in scenery is a good thing and we surely had a beautiful change.  Our inclosed patio/balcony was the perfect place to sit, relax, and ponder.

3. Charlie!!!

We just can't get enough of baby Charlie.  In case you missed the previous submission, Charlie is the newest member of the family and I think he enjoyed the vacation just as much as we did.

In addition to the beautiful home, we also saw a few shows.  All of the performances were good but my favorite was the "Noah's Ark" show.  The performance featured real animals along with an amazing set and lighting.  But of all the activities, my favorite was the dinner spent as a family.  We all gathered around the table to share a wonderful meal and each other's company.  

So this leads me to what I am thankful for this year. Most years my "Thankful List" is inspired by material things, and the excitement of having one month left in the school semester.  But this year is different... I realized that I have been blessed with not one, but two wonderful families.  My father always told me to surround myself with good people and Jessica's family has been nothing but good to me.   27 days until Christmas...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Update

Mardell and I have been really slacking on this blog... Lately life has been crazy.  When Mardell isn't working at the grade school he is working for the K-State Athletic Department where he is a security supervisor.  I have been very busy with homework and lesson planning.  I only have one week left in my second grade classroom at Lincoln Elementary in Junction City.  I recently found out where I will be placed for Student Teaching, and I am looking forward to spending next semester in the first grade classroom.

We are both really looking forward to our upcoming trip to Branson with my family to celebrate Thanksgiving.  My family decided it was time for another trip and my Grandmother picked Branson.  So starting Wednesday morning we will be head out for five days filled with many shows and lots of family.

Here are a few things that have happened since our last post:

November 16th was baby Charlie's baptism.  Mardell had to work the basketball game on Sunday so we headed to Waterville Saturday night to so that he could spend time with the family.  Charlie was so good during the service, but definitely did not enjoy having to wear shoes.  Following the service the celebration was concluded with a wonderful lunch.

 

A couple weeks before Halloween, Mardell and I got festive by carving pumpkins.  We decorated our patio with pumpkins and two of them got smashed by pumpkin thieves, so we had to make a quick trip to Dillons first to replace them.  We had a blast cleaning out the pumpkins, Mya and Ellie even tried to help!

At the beginning of October we decided that we needed a weekend get away so we headed to KC.  Mardell surprised me with tickets to see The Lion King, put on by the traveling broadway actors.  It was absolutely amazing!  I have never seen anything like it and would love to go again.  I was really disappointed that we were not allowed to take pictures during the play, but pictures would not have done the play justice.