Thanksgiving Part 2

We coined the term..."Thanksgiving's not over until all the cute turkey outfits have been worn."  Ha!  Millie Janalee had one more turkey outfit to wear, and we had one more family gathering to attend.  It worked out perfectly!  Her mama went a little overboard with the turkeys.  In fact, this mama went a little overboard with excitement period when we found out about Millie Janalee.  And that's okay!

Sam, Millie Janalee, and Olivia

Saturday morning, Russ and I took Millie Janalee to have Thanksgiving with Russ's side of the family.  It was such fun seeing everyone and for everyone to visit with Millie Janalee.  Some of them hadn't really seen her since she was a bitty babe.  The kids loved taking turns holding her and playing with her.  Russ and I have gotten used to everyone passing us over with a polite "Hey" on their way to the real important person of the family...Millie Janalee!  Ha!

Sam, Julie (modeling one of Russ's sister's dresses from the 90's), Grace, Leah, and Millie Janalee

When we get together with Russ's family, each family brings food to contribute to the meal.  I'm usually flying in from a Thanksgiving celebration in Jackson, so I always offer to pick up something on my way into town.  However, this year we celebrated in town.  It was nice to have time to make some things for the post-Thanksgiving meal.

Everything smelled so good, and I knew we were in for a yummy lunch.  Russ had to leave for Jonesboro to work, so we planned a noon lunch.  Everyone was there but Jimmy.  He had to work. We missed him!  Russ's mom put some finishing touches on her food, while Aunt Jenny spent some snuggle time with her newest niece.

The food, as always, was delicious.  And we had PLENTY leftover...as always!  Roan fixed Jimmy a plate, but the rest was covered and stuffed in whatever refrigerator had space.  With such a large family, it's a find a seat if you can kinda meal.  Usually the big kids end up together, little kids together, and adults together.  Now that some of the bigger kids are nearing or at "adult" status, everyone was everywhere.  Ha!

Jeff, Seth, Olivia, Elle, and Will

After eating and spending time visiting, the sister-in-laws began cleaning the kitchen.  I rarely saw Millie Janalee, but I knew she was in good hands.  Grace was dying to hold her, but she seemed a little nervous.  She wanted Elle to sit right by her side. 

Elle, Millie Janalee, Grace, and Will

Sweet cousins

It is tradition that the grandchildren put up Granmomma and Pop's Christmas tree during our Thanksgiving gathering.  It seems some of our usual helpers hid so as not to get wrangled into the whole shabang, so Roan headed up the coalition.  She put in her time setting up and fluffing the tree...and left the decorating to the kids.  Will and Clay are always within eyesight, so they usually get caught when anything needs fixing!  Such good boys!

Fluffing

Sam making sure every part of the tree was decorated...even the underside!

Russ showing Millie Janalee the finished tree

Since the tree was going up and there were young bodies around to help, Granmomma pulled out all her decorations and began decking her halls!  Once again, Will and Clay were called upon for the outdoor decor while Granmomma took care of the inside.

Will and Clay putting the garland around the front door

Russ's mom ("Granmomma") putting the garland up the staircase

This was my absolute favorite part of the Johnson Christmas decorating festival...stockings tied on the treadmill.  "...and the stockings were hung on the treadmill with care..."  I love it!

In case you are wondering where all the other family members were hiding...

Elle and Julie spent some time loving on Millie Janalee.

Jenny, me, Roan, and Russ's dad spent some time visiting in the kitchen.

The younger girls enjoyed playing with Millie Janalee during playtime.

Once things really got wound up around this house full of relatives, it was time for Millie Janalee to break out her Thanksgiving bib.  Auntie Kristin actually bought this bib for Millie Janalee to wear at my family's Thanksgiving for obvious reasons.  But, since we forgot and there's a little bit of crazy on Russ's side too...we figured it was still appropriate!  Ha!

Are these people really my relatives?

I don't know why Millie Janalee wouldn't be proud to call us all her relatives.  Can you?  Hmmm...

The last hour or so of our visit was spent in the sun room where Pop let Millie Janalee watch a little football while the girls did some girl talk, shared Christmas gift ideas, and watched Millie Janalee.

Millie Janalee loves her Pop!

Elle and me

You know you LOVE those sweet cheeks!  Obsessed!

We had a wonderful time with Russ's family.  We always do.  Our favorite visits are those without tight schedules where everyone can sit around leisurely with no task at hand and talk, laugh, and play games.  No games were played this time, but Jimmy's family gave me an early birthday gift...Holiday Scrabble.  I will bring it back for our Christmas gathering. 

Millie Janalee donned her final turkey for the season, and she looked just as adorable as ever.  All these pictures look like her pants were too short, but I promise they weren't.  Not that it matters.  Russ left for Jonesboro, and Millie Janalee and I went back to my parents' house for the next couple of days...and for Millie Janalee's photo shoot of the day.

Millie Janalee and Farley...sweet brother and sister

"These bows taste so good, Mama!"

I'm just loving those cheeks!

Cousin Brodie loves Millie Janalee too!  He gives sweet kisses.

Saturday night, we all settled in for a night of football.  The Egg Bowl to be exact.  I had been a little nervous about this game all year.  Ole Miss was coming off a great game against LSU, and we were coming off a little slump.  My only hope was that Ole Miss was worn out from such a physical game last week.

Paw Paw and Millie Janalee discussing the spread on this game.

"Really, Paw Paw?  It's gonna be a close one?"

"I'm feeling good about it!  Let's goooooo Dawgs!"

"Paw Paw!  It wasn't even close!  They KILLED us!"

Yep.  I do not wish to discuss that game any further.  We lost.  The end.  Now, we are loyal Bulldogs through and through.  We've been through MUCH worse that this.  So, we'll try to hold our heads high as we make our way into the post season.  Our family has ordered 10 bowl game tickets to wherever we end up.  Gator Bowl? Music City Bowl?  Some random "off brand" bowl?  Wherever we go, we'll be there!  Cheering for our Dawgs!  And, yes, even trying to still believe!

I hope you all had a thanks-filled Thanksgiving!