Thankful.

We spent Thanksgiving afternoon with my dad's side of the family.

Casey could NOT wait to see his cousin Travis.

 My heart always skips a beat when I see them together.

 Casey really looks up to him... he wanted to sit by him during lunch, during pictures, pretty much during everything!   (After Ella's party a few weeks ago, Travis had a sleepover with Casey and he was in heaven!  So precious to see them sound asleep in Casey's bed that night.)

They are so. darn. sweet.

 Speaking of bonding, my brother-in-law and Ella are pretty much inseparable!

 He seriously held her the entire time.  

 These two are pretty cute to watch too.  

 Talking and scheming and joking and laughing the entire time.

 Meanwhile, Daddy was showing Casey how to make a spoon stick to his nose... ;)

 My dad with Ella

 My baby girl's first Thanksgiving!

She was giving hugs and blowing kisses to everyone in our family... seriously couldn't have been more sweet and adorable!

 The whole group!

 After eating, the kids always open a few early Christmas presents from my dad and step-mom.

 Ella was beyond excited to see that there was a baby with a crib inside that bag!

She rocked the baby, patted her back, put her in the crib, took her out of the crib, rocked her some more, gave her a binky, and said "ohhhhh!"... over and over and over.

 Then we went to Adam's parents house for Thanksgiving dinner.

 Such a good mama!

Ella and Olivia

 My mother-in-law always has everything decorated so festively!

 The cousins had an entire table to themselves. 

They were so happy!

 Later, we helped GG decorate her tree.

 In 2008, she started putting up ornaments of the grandkids from each year.

It is truly special (even if it tugs on my heart!) to see our kiddos 'growing up' on her Christmas tree.

They love decorating their ornament...

 ...and hanging it on the tree!

Such a fun tradition!  

Nothing warms your heart on Thanksgiving like being with the ones you love!

Thankful... for family.