Thanksgiving in Arkansas

We spent Thanksgiving in Arkansas and had a wonderful time. Last year we stayed home because Molly was only 6 weeks old, and it just wasn't the same. We were very excited to be spending it with our extended family this year! On Thanksgiving day, Papa Doc had the bouce house ready and all the riding toys charged up! All the kids had a blast playing on these. Molly's favorite was still the bounce house. She kept pointing to the door and saying "bounce". Matthew loved it all, especially playing with his cousins. We had a wonderful lunch and managed to get a family picture before we headed out to the Christmas Tree Farm. For as long as I can remember, it has been a tradition to go to the tree farm after lunch and pick out Nana and Papa Doc's Christmas tree. The kids love cutting down the tree, going on a hayride, and drinking apple cider. Matthew even got to drive the hayride this year...he was so proud! Unfortunately, I think this is the last year for the tree farm to be open, so we will have to come up with a new tradition for Thanksgiving afternoon! We found the perfect tree and topped the day off with lots of yummy desserts! The whole family was able to be there except two of my cousins...for a grand total of 26 people!

The Harrington Family 2008

Papa Doc, Nana and the grandkids

Molly and Ben

Papa Doc, Richard and Molly

Papa Doc, Nate and Matthew

Lots of pictures from the day...

Finally...cutting down the tree!

On Friday we traveled to see Richard's grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Williams. We had a great visit with them and enjoyed some US Pizza! Matthew is always so entertained by all of mamaw and papaw's treasures when we go there. Molly was quite the entertainer and kept mamaw busy picking things up off the floor that she would intentionally throw down...her favorite game to play! Richard enjoyed looking at some old Navy photos and articles papaw had put in an album. We had such a nice visit!

The next day we got to see one of my best friends and her family. The kids got to see the treehouse Pops was building and even enjoyed a few dips in the creek. I think the first "dip" was an accident...and then it became fun to get wet. The kids also played in the basement and topped the afternoon off with soda pop on the front porch. Later that day, Nate and Zac surprised Matthew and stopped by Nana and Papa Doc's for a few hours!

On Sunday we headed back home with a wonderful addition to our family for the week...Nana! Richard had a conference in New Orleans part of the week, so it was nice to have some help and good company while he was gone! We shopped til we dropped...literally. It took me 3 days to catch up on my rest after Nana left. On the nights Richard was in town, we would go Christmas shopping after the kids were in bed. Nana also got to go to Matthew's school and see all his friends again. She was a big help and I enjoyed every minute of her stay...thanks Nana! Papa Doc joined us on Friday and we all enjoyed a good meal out. Saturday night was Richard's Christmas party, so Nana and Papa Doc kept the kids while we had a night away...we enjoyed getting to sleep in a little the next day! Thanks again for our night away!