Thanksgiving in Texas with surpirse(s)

Thanksgiving was absolutely wonderful! Tyler, Addie and I drove down to Dallas, Texas to surprise my family. Most all of my brothers and sisters where going to be there so Tyler and I decided to leave right after his morning class on Tuesday morning, drive the 10 hour trip, and surprise my family. Needless to say it was a great surprise...actually surprise(s). YES the word is finally out in the fam.....IM PREGNANT! So all of you who kept it a hush for so long...Good job! I can finally blog in ease about being pregnant. Anyway, this was a very enjoyable trip for us and we loved getting to see my family. We enjoyed going to the movies, shopping, eating (of course) and just hanging out!

Addie did very well during the 10 hour drive. Daddy would

make her laugh while he was driving!

So in my family Wednesday night is the big night for all of us

to gather around in the kitchen and help prep the food

for the Thanksgiving dinner. This is one of the most cherished times

and memories we have together. This is my Dad, Ally, and I peeling

apples for apple pie.

My niece McKenna peeling potatoes

My nephew Brayden dicing potatoes

Tyler working on the Apple pie filling

Grandpa and my niece Ally making the dough for the crust.

My dad is the pie man in our house.

Helpin' Grandpa roll out the pie dough.

Gotta have a Turkey bowl on Thanksgiving morning!

Huddle time.

Ty running for the touchdown.

Addie loved being outside where is wasn't bitter cold! We

had fabulous weather there.

So i have to preface these next couple of pictures...

My Dad has been in the food business most of his life

growing up in his mom's pie shop, owning restaurants, catering etc.

So on such occasions as Thanksgiving the food should not only

taste delicious but look delicious! I guess you could say we make

a big deal about how the food is presented and served. Thats

just the way it is in my fam and i love it!
Here are the before and after pics of the turkey.

Before

After

And last but not least the whole Thanksgiving dinner.

sorry if i've bored you with the food pictures.

Ty also got to participate in ordaining my nephew to a decon.

From L to R: Tyler, brother Marty, Brother Troy, Brayden, Grandpa McFadden,

Grandpa Davis and my brother Jeremy.

My sister Marie with some of our nieces: Ally, Emilee, and Alise.

My niece and nephew, Brayden and Emilee, are about 2 weeks apart

and both turned 12 this November. Tyler and I were able to join them

in the Dallas temple Friday morning to do baptisms. What an awesome opportunity this was

especially for me. I loved being there with them. They are growing up too fast.

My brother Jeremy with his little boy, Travis.

Addie with her cousin Brayden. She couldn't get enough of Brayden

these two were best pals the whole time!

I have such a love for my family. My brothers and sisters are spread thin across the states so we don't get to see them very often. Being able to spend Thanksgiving with them was the best!