Thanksgiving was the big holiday for our family this year. We had everyone home, and it was the loudest bash ever! Such a great time. I always love hanging out with them. Some people go on vacations to exotic places when they get time off of work. I go home. It's the best vacation anyone could ask for. Don't believe me? Check out these pics and see what I mean:
It started out with a visit to Clarks Hill restaurant. BEST ONION RINGS EVER!!!! And I don't like onion rings that much. Mom and Dad found this little gem and took Jess and I out on their anniversary. Don't worry, they didn't pay. :) Can I just say that I have the best parents ever? It's the truth.
Nine Irish Brothers: Round 1. This is the owner, Jerry. We told him how much we all love his restaurant and how it is a family tradition for the kids to come here every time they are in town. We also discovered one of the best appetizers ever on this trip. Nine Irish Brothers Pots O' Gold. Hollowed out potato skin, sauerkraut, corned beef, and a slice of swiss cheese on top. Add some thousand island for dipping and you've got an amazing bit of food, people!
Jess and I were trying our best to get on PeopleofWalmart.com. We tried and FAILED! How could they not want us?!
After a *slightly* stressful round of family pictures (we got kicked out of our first and second spaces and settled on another fireplace scene), the kids took a break at Arni's. They have some great pizza and some AWESOME salads! Green onion, swiss cheese, turkey. That's what I'm talking about!
JC, you become more like your mother each time I see you. And that's a good thing. :)
Gorgeous ladies, just gorgeous.
Seems like Curt & Cole have similar tastes in wives: petite, beautiful blondes with bangs. Love you, ladies!
Addie proved how much of a girly girl she is. Here she is checking out People's 'Sexiest Man Alive' edition with Aunt Emily. And she wasn't just looking . . .
Watch out, Matthew Morrison! Addie is coming for you.
As for dinner, Sarah made the BEST stuffing I have ever tasted. And coming from a Stove Top lover, that might not mean that much, but the fact that it was Braden safe made it all the more delicious. Oh, and Sarah broke that wooden spoon right after this photo when she tried to stir the stuffing. It was pretty hilarious.
Have I ever told you how much I love fried turkey? I'm kinda like the dad on Christmas Story. Turkey fiend. This Thanksgiving was heaven for me. We had a fried turkey, and two different roasted turkeys. Yeah, Dad went a little overboard.
I have to say that the food was especially good this year. And most of it was safe for Braden with his milk allergy. Yay! I think he liked the food, by the by.
Rick was ready to bust a move on that plateful of food!
Pooma and Judy sat at the Bad Kids table, away from the adults. Pooma is usually the ringleader when it comes to trouble. Don't believe me? Check out that mischievous smile!
Addie couldn't stop eating the bread. Here she is with a huge mouthful of the stuff!
I have the cutest nieces and nephews. Seriously.
And the tryptophan kicks in!
The ladies in the family all made little hot chocolate ornaments. Miss Vanessa found the craft online. Isn't it cute?! Although Jenny thinks hers isn't as nice as she wanted it.
Here we all are, hard at work.
Love this!
Cole and Emily cornered Jessie, serenaded her with a rousing rendition of 'Happy Birthday', and then pulled out the ultimate gift: an exclusive edition of her favorite story, Beauty and the Beast.
This was the funniest thing I saw all vacation. Addie was picking her 'ickies' out from her toes. She likes to have clean feet. And then she went to go get the 'ickies' from her mom's feet. EEEEEWWWW!
See what I mean? So cute, yet SO gross!
The dogs found the best seat in the house. Don't you worry, Boompa gave them little tidbits here and there. Even he knew that we wouldn't be able to finish THREE turkeys.
This Thanksgiving was the first time ALL the kids were able to make it together to Nine Irish Brothers! We finally were all there and had a heck of a time. Since Curt failed at 'downs' last time, and we kept trying to convince him to eat more by goading him, "Kyle could do it!", we decided to let Kyle have 'downs' and show Curt how it's done! This is round 1.
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
And FINALLY, round 5! Kyle ate it ALL. Take that, Curt. You are one Salty Dawg. 
I think Todd liked his sandwich.
And the couple's pictures begin. Curt and Vanessa.
Cole, Emily, and . . . a bottle of malt vinegar?
Sarah and Todd (with his mouth full).
Kyle, Ash, and of course, Cole in the corner. He always get us with that!!!
Awww. :)
And last but not least, the single ladies. I wouldn't take a couple's pic with Jess and she was trying to convince me. I think I look like I'm about to kill her here.
The whole gang! What a great end to the trip!!!!
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