Thanksgiving Extravaganza

I was lucky enough (some say stupid, I say lucky) to have Thanksgiving at my house this year. Both of my brothers and one of my sisters came with their families. I have to say, preparing for 21 people to come was a scary undertaking, but the moment they all got here, it was like all the worry disappeared. I so enjoyed everyone being here. And I was so sad when they all left. . . . because, yes it was CRAZY and CHAOTIC when everyone was here, but now it is so empty and quiet. Even though I didn't think I would, I liked the crazy and chaotic better.


So what did we all do for three days. Well, we of course did the Thanksgiving thing, with all the trimmings. Thank you to Tari, Billie Jo and Sondi for ALL the AMAZING help!! On Friday, we did a so very cute craft (thanks Billie Jo and Sondi). And went to Chuck E Cheese's for Kaleb's birthday--we were all so HAPPY Grandma Butikofer came!!!!! On Saturday, we did Luke's 1st Birthday party. Everyone decided to go home on Saturday. . . maybe they were sick of us or it could have been the fact that Sondi and Kaleb had a touch of the stomach bug and they just didn't want to get sick. Either way, I am sooooo grateful you all came and I hope you all can come again soon.


And here are some of the highlights:

Luke didn't care for his cake!

But Cameron and Tari did a great job on the frosting!!





Tim has "pretty's" in his hair--so beautiful

The cute craft

OUCH!

Luke has finally had his first real spill where there was a significant injury. . . .well, to me, it is significant. He fell yesterday and hit is head and split his eyebrow open a little. It was dripping blood off his face, but it quickly slowed down. I thought he needed stitches and Brian didn't (what does he know anyway!!). This picture I took this morning and I am glad I didn't pay to have stitches done. But I thought he had split his whole face open yesterday with as much as it bled. So I got to thinking about my other children and the acccidents they had. . . . Josh burning his arm at 8 months, having an allergic reaction at 12 months, being hospitalized at 21 months for a respiratory attack. Then Mike, allergic reaction at 12 months, breaking his foot at 2 1/2 years old. So now Luke gets to carry on in the tradition of leaping off couches and experimenting with death just like those that went before him!

We are upright!

So we have had the stomach bug at our house since Thursday night. It started with Josh. . . and has moved through Mike, Luke, and Mom (we were all sick last night), but now I am feeling a little better, well, at least I am upright. So in celebration of us being done puking and in hopes that Brian doesn't start, we are posting this video of Luke walking. It was done yesterday, before the sickness invaded our home. So ENJOY!!!