Russ and I always celebrate Thanksgiving with his side of the family the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Since Jimmy and Roan's family usually has Thanksgiving at her parents' on Thursday, this works out well for all of us. Sadly, Russ wasn't able to join us in Jackson, so this was our first "Thanksgiving meal" together also. Usually, all the ladies prepare sides, vegetables, and dips. Russ's parents prepared a yummy turkey for us, and his mom and sister spent the whole day on Thursday preparing things for us to enjoy. Roan brought a few sides when she got into town, and I fixed a hash brown casserole when I flew into town on two wheels! Ha!

Elle, Will, Russ's dad, Russ, me, and Roan

We enjoyed our delicious food and our time with family. Russ's mom fixed the table so nicely, and we ate off her nice China. Will graduated to the adult table along with his girlfriend.

Clay, Russ, Jeff, and Seth

The younger children and teenagers sat in the kitchen, while the smallest three sat at a tiny table in the sunroom. It's so fun to celebrate holidays with a large family! I look forward to adding to the numbers someday.

Toward the end of the meal, the conversation turned mostly to the big game....the Egg Bowl!

I showed Roan and Olivia how my cowbell app works on my iPhone.

We kept busy as we waited for the game to start. The kids were everywhere! Playing hide and seek, playing piano, running, playing, singing, etc. I corralled a few to help me stuff my Christmas cards. Ha! Another great thing about having younger ones with you! Lots of helpers! Thanks girls!

Julie, me, Grace, and Leah

Another big event that took place before the game was putting up Granmomma and Pop's Christmas tree! We like to do this when all the family is there to help! Russ's parents never have to lift a finger! Ha! The guys put it up, and the kids fluff.

Olivia

Sam, Grace, and Leah enjoyed fluffing UNDERNEATH the tree! Ha!

Me? I kept busy playing a game of Scrabble with Roan and Julie. In fact, once the game started, we moved the game into the sunroom right in front of the television! I won by the way!

Roan, Julie, and me

Then, it was time! Time for the Egg Bowl! Time for my Mississippi State Bulldogs to play the Ole Miss "Black Bears!" I put on my game day attire, plopped down, and got my cowbell app ready to ring! The family gathered in the sunroom for the kickoff.

Russ's parents

Jeff, Jenny, Russ, and Seth

Clay, Roan, Julie, Olivia, and me

It was a great game! A game in which we never fell behind, but a game that certainly could have if we made too many mistakes. But, in the end....my DAWGS left with the EGG!

What does that mean for us? Bragging rights until we meet again! Now, our attention has turned to the Gator Bowl! That's right! We're going bowlin' in Jacksonville, Florida. Will you be there? We will! Tickets have already been preordered and accommodations reserved. So, on New Year's Day, this family will be ringing our cowbells in the sunny state!

Smith Thanksgiving 2010

As you know from reading our blog, Russ and I have relocated this month and sold our house in September. So, we were unable to host the Smith family Thanksgiving like we usually do. Kristin and Lee picked up the slack beautifully! We all traveled south to Jackson Wednesday night to get ready for a fun Thanksgiving holiday with the Tulls.

Kristin, Lee, and Rhonda headed off to bed not long after our late arrival. We spent the entire evening...I would say into early morning hours playing Wheel of Fortune on our iPhones. Mary ended up spending the night with us since it was so late (or early)!

The next morning, Mama got busy in the kitchen preparing brunch for my dad's side of the family. Kristin was in charge of dinner and Mama was in charge of brunch. We had a yummy meal: breakfast casserole, garlic cheese grits, monkey bread, and fruit. We visited and ate as we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I must say it was quite relaxing to not be in charge of any of the meals.

Maw Maw and Kristin

Uncle Donald, Mama, and Pops

Rhonda and Lee

Me and Daddy

Once brunch was over, the family relaxed, watched some football, and visited with each other. Uncle Donald, Daddy, and I also took a quick trip to Bass Pro Shop to look around. I found a few gifts and I was good to go. Checking things off my list!

Maw Maw looking at Kristin and Lee's scrapbook

While the rest of us relaxed, Mama and Kristin began preparing for the big family dinner.

Several of the family got a little more comfortable....possibly wearing elastic so they could eat more food! Ha! We enjoyed visiting as the Coon family arrived. Kristin offered appetizers for us to munch on as she made the final preparations.

"The kids"

Pops and Dustin

Me and Clancy

Pops and Aunt Patsy

Dustin and Daddy

The appetizers: celery with pimento cheese, cheese and crackers, pumpkin shaped grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato basil soup

Kristin had everything so nicely decorated, and she and Lee worked busily on the details.

Kristin and her owl apron

Lee buttering the rolls

Yummy recipes everywhere!

Sweet potato dish

Unlike when I hosted Thanksgiving and every sits at their own risk using cute paper plates, Kristin had card tables decorated nicely with beautiful dishes to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal on. Very nice!

Complete with scattered chestnuts and an owl bottle filled with red daisies!

Yummy food

...labeled nicely!

Do you notice an owl theme?

Even fall owl cookies!

"Grown up table" I guess.

Mouth-watering goodness!

Once we were all seated and said a prayer of thanks for all these wonderful blessings: delicious food lovingly prepared, family, and friends sitting around us....it was time to dig in! It was an evening filled with fun, food, and fellowship!

Me, Mary, Dustin, and Clancy

Lee, Rhonda, and Daddy

Uncle Howard and Aunt Patsy

Thank you, Kristin and Lee for hosting such a wonderful Thanksgiving! We all had a blast and were STUFFED! Looking forward to next year to see what you will do to top this! Ha!

MSU vs. Arkansas

Once again, I have completely neglected my sweet blog. On a happy note, we are moved in and getting settled in our new place. We feel quite cozy and at home. Now, to catch up...

As most of you know by now, my beloved Bulldogs pulled off an extraordinary game against Arkansas a few weeks ago. Of course this family began our day much earlier. With tailgating!

Lee and Rhonda

We had lots of visitors and several regulars at our last home game and tailgate of the season. It's been a great season! The weather has been football-perfect! And the Arkansas game was no exception.

Mary, Daddy, and Mama

We all enjoyed visiting with friends and family. We laughed, caught up...

Leann and Kristin

....and ate - as per our usual activities! Ha!

Kendall

We enjoyed seeing friends as they stopped by for visits.

The Green's group

Me, Russ, Becca, and Adam

The excitement for this final game...and a big SEC game against two ranked teams...was enormous! We were ready and hoping for a win! The game was quite exciting. Now that it's been three weeks, I can't remember specifics as I usually detail the best parts. One thing I can tell you is that Daddy got excited...

Then, when we went into double overtime...I was having to sit with my head between my knees to keep myself from passing out! Too much excitement and nervousness! It was CRAZY!

However, after this photo...we went down. There were some fluke mistakes that just led us to a loss. But, if this football program is looking for a phenomenal game for their fans...they've done it!

Great job, DAWGS! We still had one more game after all. You know....that "other school" was next. Ha!