The Johnson celebrates Thanksgiving the weekend after Thanksgiving Day. Jimmy and Roan's family always heads south to visit her parents, and Russ and I host my family for Thanksgiving. So, the Johnsons came together on Friday night for supper. It's always such fun celebrating holidays with the Johnsons because the children are so excited! Holidays with kids are so fun! Russ's sister, Roan, and I usually cook dishes to bring for this meal. Although Roan held up her end of the deal coming straight from Jackson, I did not have time to fix anything. I did bring cups, napkins, and Cokes. Does that count? Ha! Thanks, Jenny and Roan, for picking up the slack!

When we arrived at Russ's parents' home, Jimmy had gone for a 22 mile run, and Roan and the kids were assembling their Christmas cards - assembly line style! Russ and I joined in and visited until Jimmy returned and the Mansels got there.

Jimmy after his run. He is preparing for his second marathon next weekend.

Farley's Aunt Jenny made him a Christmas outfit! So cute! Farley says, "Does this shirt make my booty look big?"

Roan and Sam

Just like my teacher instinct...Roan labeled all the cups with names! Maybe that's just her mom instinct. Ha! Time to eat!

Sam and his "Gobble til You Wobble" cup

Clay, Olivia, and Julie eating barbeque

One of the RARE pictures where Seth cooperates!

Roan, Aunt Julie, and Jenny chatting

Sam, Clay, Grace, and Leah playing...these cousins LOVE to play together!

Aunt Jenny with Olivia and Julie

Roan and I took pictures of each other taking pictures! Ha!

Russ's mom and brother

Jeff and Russ talking the typical "Apple talk!"

My Gracie girl and me

Will and Elle

We had a wonderful time visiting with the family! Happy Thanksgiving Johnsons!

Smith Family Thanksgiving 2009

This Thanksgiving week has been wonderful! It has been busy, loud, crazy, and a wonderful time with family and friends! Russ and I have hosted the Smith/Coon Thanksgiving at our home for the past 3 years. I know...you are all probably gasping right now just digesting the fact that I cook a Thanksgiving meal! Ha! Trust me. I learned as I went. For example, the first Thanksgiving we hosted...we ran out of food!!! Can you imagine that?! Never again! Ha!

My family arrived in town Wednesday night along with Lee and his mom. This was our first Thanksgiving with Lee (Kristin's fiance). It was such fun! If you know the Smiths at all, you know the more the merrier! Wednesday night we all sat around in our tiny living room to watch Four Christmases. We actually went to see this in the movie theater last Thanksgiving. We were creative on seating arrangements! Ha!

Dustin, Daddy, and Farley

Maw Maw, Kristin, Mama, Rhonda, and Russ

Thursday morning, we hosted my dad's side of the family for a Thanksgiving brunch. This was the first time we've had a brunch. It was a great idea! While Russ went for an 8 mile run, I woke up early to begin fixing mocha coffee punch, breakfast casserole, monkey bread, and sausage muffins. Mama also fixed her cheese grits. Yummy!

Sisters

Rhonda and Lee

Russ brewed the coffee. I am in my mid-twenties and have no idea how to brew coffee! I don't drink it, so I never learned. Sad, I know!

The "adults" eating a yummy brunch

Farley and me watching the end of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade...I've never missed a year!

Once the dishes were cleaned up - thanks to Mama and Rhonda for all the help with that! - we all sat around the living room and dining room watching football and catching up. We were stuffed!

My baby brother and me watching some football

Rhonda and Mama

All the guys ended up leaving to shop around at Bass Pro Shop. That was the only place open on Thanksgiving Day. They were there forever! Uncle Donald did bring us back a plethora of Black Friday ads. We scoped it out, and found what we would "hunt" Friday morning! Crazy!

Kristin and Lee making their list!

It wasn't long until it was time to start getting things ready for Thanksgiving dinner! It really is fun hosting my family for this special meal.

Dustin even helped wash and take skin off the chicken thighs.

I walked outside to cool off from the heat of the kitchen, and this is what I saw! Hilarious! They were checking out the horse of a dog next door. Woody is a Great Dane...and he is HUGE!

The three musketeers

Dinner was served promptly at 6:30. Lots going on, but no injuries like the third degree burn I received preparing brunch! Ha!

I was very proud of this veggie tray! Ha! I was taking the veggies out of the plastic container I bought them in, putting the veggies on a nice tray. I assured everyone that "I picked these vegetables myself from my own vegetable garden. In fact I even shucked the peas myself!" SHUCKED THE PEAS?!?! Of course, there was no reaction because everyone was trying to catch their breath from laughing so hard! Obviously, I gave myself away...I don't shuck CORN or SHELL peas! Ha!

The menu was excellent (in my humble opinion)! Russ grilled pork tenderloin and the sausage. We had tenderloin with carrots and gravy, barbeque chicken, ham, crunchy Romaine salad, sausage and cheese plate, chicken dip, rolls, fruit, squash, green beans, black eyed peas, and veggies. Russ also fixed his famous white chocolate bread pudding for dessert! He only does this once a year at Thanksgiving, and it was time! Yummo!





Once the food was ready, we dispersed the cute PAPER plates (one lesson I've learned from experience!) and "Gobble til You Wobble" cups. Time to eat! Everyone had to be creative! Be seated at your own risk! Ha!

The teacher in me labeled the cups for all 14 dinner guests.

Kristin and Lee

Jack, Clancy, and Uncle Donald

Uncle Howard, Mama, Pops, Rhonda, Maw Maw, and Aunt Patsy

Daddy and Dustin (Dustin found a creative seat)

Aunt Gail and Russ

After dinner and clean-up, Dustin and I decided it was time for a movie. But, not before he had his way with my living room!

Has your living room ever been rolled?

Having such a crowd for two Thanksgiving meals can be exhausting, loud, crazy, and fun. But, it is so special having that many family members together in such a small space. That is true quality time, and I loved every minute of it!

It was a Happy Thanksgiving!

...followed by a Black Friday! Yes, we were a few of the crazy people out shopping at 5 AM! Russ, Dustin, Maw Maw, and Rhonda all chose the wiser path - BED! Kristin, Lee, Mama, Daddy, and I chose the other! Ha! We fought the crowds. I just went for the fun of it...which by the way is the best way to do it. I just enjoyed myself as I watched the other crazies fight over Doorbuster Specials! Ha!

Daddy found his deal! He slept in the car the rest of the morning while the rest of us shopped!

One Thanksgiving celebration down, and a Johnson one to go! We are so thankful for such a fun and loving family! God has richly blessed us! Happy Thanksgiving Smiths!

A Reason for Thanksgiving

I have been following a new blog lately - the Nie Nie Dialogues. Since I saw her on Oprah a while back, I have been inspired by her story. This morning, Stephanie and her family were guests on the Today Show. Please take a few minutes to watch her story and realize how much more we have to be thankful for! Her strength and optimism in such devastating circumstances are amazing.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

If you'd like to see more, heartwrenching footage of Stephanie's story, watch this video from the Oprah show. You may need Kleenex.

Now, take a minute to give thanks for the life you have been given. Don't take a single thing for granted, because your life can change in a second.

Give thanks!

Thanksgiving Workweek

This Thanksgiving week has been a busy one so far. Thank goodness, Russ was able to ask off this week since I was off. I had quite the Honey-do list for him! Ha! Actually, he had this list himself. I went off to eat lunch with some friends from school, because one of the former teachers was back in town. When I came home, Russ was working on the list. We have had a few leaks this year, and it is high time for us to cover up the evidence! So, my sweet hubby began working on the recovery efforts. Yay!


Since he was working so hard, I figured it was a good time for me to do my kind of work for the week - shopping! I spent the day doing a little Christmas shopping. I was proud of my work today.


Now I'm back, and Russ is through for the day. We are enjoying our Christmas decorations we put up last night (more on that later). I'm wondering if I can talk Russ into dinner or a movie...or dinner and a movie! Ha!

Tomorrow's list includes grocery shopping for a family brunch and a family dinner that we are hosting Thursday. Stay tuned for the entertainment from that wild weekend!

Enjoy your week!

Show Us Your Life - PETS

I'm pretty sure you know that we have a dog named Farley. Farley is no doubt our baby. Russ and I were married just before Russ started his first year of medical school. It didn't take long for me to realize that I needed a friend at home while Russ spent all those hours in the library. After much MUCH begging and researching, I finally convinced him to give in. I had searched and searched for a Maltipoo. I just thought they were cute (from the pictures I found online! ha!). Anyway, I finally found some for sale near our hometown. I called the lady around 8:30 that night to ask about them. She only had one black puppy left. It didn't take long...approximately 45 minutes....for us to pack, buy doggie toys, and hit the road for a four hour drive! Crazy youngsters, I know! Ha! No one even knew we were coming. We broke into my parents' house, spent the night, and headed to Henderson, TN before anyone woke up. By the time everyone woke up, we were back with our little black ball of fur!

Farley is certainly treated like a human...which is probably why he THINKS he is one! I can honestly say that he is S-P-O-I-L-E-D!! Farley is known as the "grandpuppy." I'm pretty sure my parents are more excited to see Farley sometimes than me. Ha!

Farley meeting Granmomma for the first time

This is probably where Farley would be content to live!

Farley and my daddy are two peas in a pod. He is truly treated as a "grandpuppy" at the Smith house. Russ always says, "When we stay at your parents' house, Farley is YOUR DAD's dog. Not mine!" Ha! Farley also has an aunt who helps with the spoiled part. Does your dog receive gourmet Easter, Halloween, and Christmas treats? Mine does! Thanks to Aunt Kristin! You should also know that Kristin can not touch Farley or her eyes would turn inside out (literally) from allergies!

Farley's gourmet happy meal from Aunt Kristin

No matter how much his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins baby him...he is MY baby! I have literally treated him as such! From wrapping him in a baby blanket to letting him sleep between Russ and me. I've heard it said, "Your children are going to be awful!" Ha! This usually comes after I take up for Farley for something he did. It's just not his fault! Someone else was bothering him. Hence, the spoiled part! We have received a "handling" fee for Farley's behavior at the groomer. I, of course, am sure that they aren't being sweet enough to him, so he is fighting back. Do I sound like "that mother?" Ha! Don't answer that! I'm the mommy and I can think my baby is perfect if I want to!

Farley and his mommy

Without sounding too weird about my dog, Farley really has been a blessing. There's just nothing like man's best friend! Farley knows when we're mad, and he licks my face when I cry. He has kept me company and kept me laughing. Of course, he has driven me crazy in between all that! But, I wouldn't change a thing! He's part of our family.

The Johnson family

Tell me about your pet. Link on up to Kelly's Korner!