Thanksgiving 2010

How great is Thanksgiving? Sweet, quality time with family, delicious food, and an opportunity to give thanks to the Lord who so graciously blesses us with so many good gifts...

The past several years we have spent Thanksgiving with Tim's family in California. This year, the 12 hour drive would have been impossible with a two month old, so we were able to spend the holiday in sunny Arizona with my family - and celebrate twice!

First stop was my mom and dad's to celebrate with my mom's Marusiak side of the family ...

Here is a picture of us with three of the four of my mom's siblings and their families, as well as my dad's brother, Ron and his fiancée. My mom's dad - our Dja Dja - is in the middle, looking sharp in his argyle sweater - at 94 he is still going strong.

Aunt Barb and my cousin, Erika, holding Caleb.

My brother Kinsey, and Erika, with Caleb.

Poppi and Will.

My mom, Dja Dja, Aunt Lucia, & Uncle Bob.

My two big boys and their matching (of course) sweaters.

I know I am such a nerd, but I LOVE matching outfits!! :-)

My mom and Dad and our family in the

requisite Thanksgiving group photo. :-)

Uncle Mark & Aunt Janet - Uncle Mark had the

touch in a particularly grouchy Caleb moment!

Cousin Lisa and the boys enjoying her delicious desserts!

Kelly and the boys ...

Here is my Uncle Bob (who has been battling cancer) and his three, handsome college age sons with Caleb. Seeing these three makes me pretty excited to think about how it will go with my boys as they grow up. These three boys all really love and enjoy each other, as well as being a great support to their sweet parents in what's been a tough year for them.

After we ate at my parents we drove back across town to North Central Phoenix to celebrate with the Mahoney Family, my natural mother's relatives. Will took a little snooze in the car (thank goodness!).

Check out this gorgeous table my Aunt Cathy (and the gang) put together ...

(you know how I appreciate those pretty tables!)

I think we had over 20 at each celebration - so full and fun.

The Mahoney side of the family are big game

players ... the boys LOVE it (as do Tim and I)

Uncle Pat & Ciera ...

You can always count on some fun, post dinner craziness with the Mahoneys. In years past, we've played spoons, but after a few injuries and at least one broken table, we've shelved spoons in favor of less "physical" games ...

This year, we played a few rousing rounds of "Left, Right, Center."

The rules were so simple that the boys could even play along. The rolled the dice and passed their dollar bills around until they were finally out - we failed to take home the grand prize, but sure enjoyed ourselves in the process.

Will sidled up to my Uncle Jim & Aunt Cathy's longtime friend, Kevin O'Neill. He made himself comfortable on his lap and rolled the dice for him when it was their turn. Pretty darn cute.

... and Caleb, did what Caleb does. He slept - through all the loud and crazy laughter of our large extended family and friends. It was delightful to have another baby to celebrate the holiday with. And yet another reason to Give Thanks.