Hey everyone! Sorry it has been so long since I've been here... I've been enjoying the free time with friends and family and myself. I thought about doing a Pinterest Friday post last week but then after my long day I decided to wait and do a full recap for this week's post.
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving... I know I did! Lots of food and loving home atmosphere!
Wednesday night we headed up to Cody's parents' for Thanksgiving at noon. We had ham and all the usual sides then just hung around and watched football.

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3 generations of women in one kitchen!
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While Cody's dad and the kids chill in the living room.
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Even Tucker is lounging in the beautiful sunlight that was on Thanksgiving!
We headed over to my parents' house for supper; I didn't get a chance to take pictures of my family there, but took some of the dogs... go figure! I always request turkey at my parents' so we had that and the usual sides. I made a DELICIOUS peanut butter chocolate dessert that I found on Pinterest (I'll include it on this Friday's post) and my mom made the traditional pumpkin pie for my dad (his favorite). After supper, we played Apples to Apples and Catch Phrase - always get a chuckle out of that game!
My mom and I went out for Black Friday at 4 am (after my mom worked her FIRST shift at Younkers from 11:30-3:30). We found some great stuff - lots of gifts and some Christmas decorations for myself. We grabbed some Starbucks at 7 and breakfast at 8:30. We were finished shopping by 10:30 (I would've taken pictures of all my purchases but since there were gifts and some of those they are for read this blog - HI GUYS!!) We were going to bring my purchases in but I ended up locking myself out of the house and because we had no spare keys available in town, my mom graciously drove me up to Cody's parents' place to get his house key. She is so great! AND she's like an energizer bunny because once we got back she had to go back to work for another 5 hours! I don't know how she did it! The rest of the day was spent relaxing and taking time for myself... much needed!

Saturday was the day I decided to take some time and put up my Christmas decorations. I always like to wait for Thanksgiving to be over to get into my Christmas mood. Christmas is my favorite time of year. It just makes it feel more like home and just brings joy to all!
I make sure that every room has a little Christmas in it (living, dining, kitchen, bedroom... even gave Marci (my roommate) one of my little trees since she didn't really have many Christmas decorations. Here are some pictures of the decorations I put up!

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The little stockings are for Cody and my roommates that didn't have stockings to put up :)
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Even our furniture is Christmas colored ;)
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Our cute countdown that Cody's mom got us! Thanks Jenn!
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She also got us this one for the fridge. There are a couple of snowmen in the kitchen too :)
And finally, our first big Christmas tree!!! Last year we used my 4 foot tree that I had from when I lived in the dorms on-campus. My mom graciously gave us this tree for our house and because all my ornaments were small, I had to get bigger ones for this tree. Plus, I now was able to put our started collection of personal ornaments :) What do you think?
I hope you liked my decorations! I have yet to put up my wreath, lights for the house and our yard Santa... that's this week!
I can't believe break is over and we only have 3 weeks left in the semester!! Plus, now we have less than a month until Christmas!!!!
How was your Thanksgiving?
What is your favorite part of Christmas?

Have a great rest of the week! :)

 
Hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving week! I have a lot to be thankful for this year!
            1. God and all the strength, guidance, and mercy he gives me.
            2. My family, that they are healthy and happy.
            3. Cody, the best man I could ever ask for to be by my side through everything.
            4. My friends that are there for me whenever I need them.
            5. The best roommates ever! We're like our own little family :)
            6. Having a roof over my head and kitchen full of food.
            7. To be able to complete my education and fulfill my dreams.
            8. Cody's parents for welcoming me into their family.
            9. The ability to travel to visit family and friends, especially during this holiday season.
            10. To be able to spend a day with my best friend, my mom - Black Friday tradition!
            11. Having dogs like ours that are more family than just pets.
            12. Our neighbors that have been so nice to us this past year and a half.
            13. My good health and happiness in life.
            14. All those that have helped with Hurricane Sandy relief.
            15. Being able to share my thoughts and experiences with all of you! :)
What are you thankful for this year?
Do you have any special traditions for Thanksgiving?

Happy Thanksgiving! :)