Thanksgiving 2011 + It's a GIRL!

Our friends left on Monday, 

so James and I had a few days in STG with my parents and my nephew Michael!

Even though I haven't lived in that home or that town for almost 6 years -

it still feels like bliss to wake up to this place.

James is even falling in love with it!

He loves main street and could spend hours paroozing maps

 and learning the lay of the land.

I am not complaining.

We went to the Jubilee of Trees.

Spent time with my sweet Grandma.

Drank a Bubble Tea.

Saw baby Lexie.

Hung out with Wess and Melissa.

Stopped at Swig.

Visited Pasta Factory more times than I am willing to admit.

And ate at Twenty Five Main with some wonderful friends from high school.

It was just what this {slightly} homesick girl needed.

It was also nice to be able to spend a little extra time with my nephew Michael -

who is my same age.

We grew up like twins and I sure do love that boy!

By Wednesday night my sister Katie and her sweet family from Colorado had landed

and first thing Thursday morning my sister Patrice and her family from Arizona arrived ready for the party.

We were desperately missing our other four siblings who are scattered across the country -

but we were grateful to have three of us {and our families} together.

Thursday morning James played football with a bunch of guys that I grew up with.

My husband, who grew up on the other side of the country, 

somehow managed to play sports with friends every day while we were there.

I loved being able to go watch and see some of the guys at Dixie Middle and Dixie High.

Felt like home. 

Then it was back to the house for a full day of cooking and family time.

My 10-year-old niece is turning into quite the movie director.

So of course she dressed us all up for her movie about our Thanksgiving.

These were my two favorite costumes. 

{surely my Dad and husband are going to kill me for this}

We don't know where Beth got her sense of humor and creativity 

but we sure are glad to have her around.

And glad she has her big sister Kate at home to star in all of her films.

Right Kate?

We spent most of the day admiring my nieces and nephews.

Michael, Kate and Beth feel like siblings.

I adore all three of them more than words can say.

And well, these pictures speak for themselves with Henry.

We are all simply enamored with this little guy.

{Now if only I could get the Michael, Kate or Beth to let me hold them like that.}

Just in case you were wondering -

my vegan parents did cook a turkey for the crew.

Pictured above is my brother-in-law Chris. 

He is cutting what my Mom called 

"a happy turkey."

Apparently it was some free range bird that grew up locally.

What can we say - it made us all feel a little bit better.

It was a hysterical Thanksgiving.

We basically had two of every dish.

My parents are "plant based" eaters.

A few of us are trying to eat less meat and more veggies.

Some of the fam still loves their butter and Oreos.

And Katie has to eat dairy free for her nursing babe.

So, we had quite the wide variety of pallets to say the least.

But somehow we managed to make a meal for every one.

{It's a good thing or my husband may have uprooted for dinner}

 

And after hours and hours in the kitchen - 

we finally dug in!

As dinner was winding down James and I brought in a little gift for the fam.

On a whim, we decided to go in for an early ultrasound a few days before leaving for Thanksgiving.

We weren't supposed to find out until the Tuesday after the holiday.

The entire week we were taking bets.

No one had any clue we already knew.

I brought in a giant box -

my Dad opened it 

and viola!

It's a girl!

As you can see, my Mom's reaction was absolutely priceless.

Thrilled.

Rewind just a few hours...

and travel thousands of miles away...

and you would find the Barker fam enjoying their Thanksgiving.

While James and I were loving Thanksgiving in the Staples home,

we wished we could have been in two places at once.

Its funny - even though I have only been a member of the Barker fam for a little over a year

I desperately miss them on the holidays.

I definitely lucked out becoming a Barker.

My sweet sisters-in-law Allison and Lizzie helped us with a little gift for Jim and Ann.

"A special delivery" from James and Karly revealed two pink balloons.

It's a girl!

Apparently there was some confusion -

are there two girls?

{It's a natural question since James is a twin.}

But once they got over the confusion and laughter they were thrilled with the news.

Baby girl Barker is only the second grandchild - and the first girl.

Needless to say, I think this little girl is going to be spoiled rotten by her aunties and grandparents.

Oh how we wish we could have seen their faces.

 Something about this Thanksgiving was absolutely magical.

For the most part we all just curled up on the couch at my parents and spent time together.

It wasn't extravagant.

Just simple.

And it was perhaps one of my favorite Thanksgivings of all time.

Nothing beats time with family on the holidays.