A Manning Family Thanksgiving

***WARNING!!! There are a TON of pictures with this post. Sorry! I couldn't decide which ones were the 'best' to share, and while trying to pick the ones I wanted, I just decided to include all that I liked the best on here! I couldn't stop myself!***


The weekend before Thanksgiving, we headed over to Kosciukso to 'do' Thanksgiving with Warren's parents and sister (and her hubby and little boy) and brother (and his fiancee). It had been a really long time since we'd all been together. Katie, Warren's sister, and her little boy, Hunter, were with us at the beach this summer, but with our heading back home so quickly with news of my grandmother's passing, I just didn't feel like we were together much. It was such a weird week. And Bryant, Warren's brother, wasn't at the beach, and I couldn't tell you the last time we'd seen him. Months had gone by I'm sure. And, we won't all be together at Christmas time; it'll probably be next year's summer vacation before we are, so we all gathered together in Kosciusko for the day.

The Whole Gang: Reese, Me, Maggie, Hunter Baby, Warren, Katie, Bryant, Mitch, BopBop, Anna, and Katie

The Kids' Table! The 'Grown Ups' Table

Enjoying some good food and family time!

Nothing like trying to eat AND have your picture taken at the same time!

BopBop getting some good ol' Reesie lovin' (or he could be just aggravating her--it's a toss up!)

Reese and her Hunter Baby!
Sweet Nanner (aka Anna)

Mag Mags

Reese and Macy (these girls love that big ol' dog)

The highlight of the day was watching the girls play with Hunter Baby. I cannot tell you how crazy all three of my girls are about this little boy. He is absolutely darling!!! They all had a grand time playing in the backyard! Our girls were asleep within five minutes of being in the car on the way home. They were so tired, but had a ball that day.

An inside shot of Reese and her Hunter Baby

Proving there's more than one way to climb down the hill

WaWa and his buddy

Enjoying some apple

I love this one of Anna, Maggie, and Hunter. When we were climbing in the car, getting ready to ride home, I told Hunter to climb on in and go home with us. Without skipping a beat, he did as he was told! It took a good bit of pleading, and finally BopBop kinda pulling him out of the car, but he ended up staying with his mama. He kept saying no when he was told to get out and sat right where he was. I think he really wanted to come home with us! I felt so bad; I never would have said anything to him if I had known he would take me seriously. I'm sure he got over the disappointment quickly though! If they had said something to my girls about staying with them, they wouldn't hesitate about saying no and running to find me or Warren. I would have taken Hunter home with us in a heartbeat! He is such a sweet little boy. We are all pretty crazy about him!

Thanksgiving Recap

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday at the Manning house. We hope that all of you did as well, bearing in mind how many blessing we all have in this life. I sure did, and am trying to continue to do everyday!

We started our morning kinda early. I had a few more rooms to clean before Warren's parents arrived, and he got an early start on his sweet potatoes! (For me, they are the highlight of our holiday meals.) We then began watching the Macy's Parade on TV. I have fond memories of doing that when I was little. The girls loved seeing the giant balloons, especially the Dora and Scooby Doo ones.

We got a call from the grans and were worried that they weren't going to be able to make it. DamDam had a little cold and didn't want to get any of us sick, but we convinced them to not worry about it and come on. So glad they did; I would have had a very disappointed four year old on my hands!

We ate a terrific lunch and everyone (except me) took a good nap. Warren and BopBop got to work putting our new kitchen faucet on the sink. I had total coinfidence in BopBop, until he told us that every plumbing/water project he's worked on on a holiday has always ended up with a call to a professional plumber. We told him to go ahead since we have NO IDEA what we'd be doing! It's so much better than the one we had. Thanks BopBop!!

We ate a small dinner and watched a little bit of Christmas Vacation. Then BopBop and DamDam headed home. We got the girls in bed later and had a pretty good nights' sleep.

Warren had a four day weekend this year! He got Thanksgiving, the day after and the weekend, too! He hasn't had the day after Thanksgiving off in YEARS, and he usually works Thanksgiving Day. It was so wonderful having him HOME with us this year!

Now the countdown to Christmas has begun!!!!!

Great Ones.....

A couple more great shots from Thanksgiving. I LOVE how Mags got all comfy and snuggly on BopBop while watching TV. Can't get much better than that, can ya?

The grans enjoying a Manning Thanksgiving tradition....watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Warren says they always brought out this movie on Thanksgiving day and watched it after eating. We're continuing it in our house, too!

Ahhhhhhhh.........this IS the life!

Thanksgiving Pictures....LOTS

Me and my girls watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

The girls got so excited when the Dora balloon made her appearance at the parade. Reese wanted me to take her pictures with Dora. How sweet is that?

DamDam and the twins watching Daddy glaze the ham---it was so YUMMY!!!!
BopBop and Mags hanging out after lunch
Reese and her BopBop

Daddy and Mags chillin'

Anna 'growling' at someone. This is their new trick; the babies love to growl now a days!

Seems as if Mags was quite taken with BopBop. Most of the pics of her from that day, she's been with BopBop!
Anna lounging on her DamDam

So Thankful for family!

Real vs. Artificial (aka FAKE)

Good day after Thanksgiving everybody! I hope all of you had a wonderful day; we did and will be reliving our Thaksgiving fun next week! (I know y'all can't wait for it!) =)

Anyway, with all the sales going on today, I have been doing some thinking about Christmas trees and wanted everyone's opinion. See, I have NEVER wanted an artificial tree in my house. I have always had a real one. My granddaddy always cut my childhood trees down out of the woods--literally!! And I loved it!

For some reason, these last couple of years, I've been thinking about getting a 'fake' tree. Warren and I have been talking and discussing about how it would pay for itself in a matter of years, and the money that we usually spend on a real tree could go to more presents for the girls. I can't really argue with this logic!

I've decided though, that if I do get a fake tree, I want it to be as real looking as possible. I don't want you to really be able to 'tell' that it's not real. I figure once all our ornaments, etc. get on the tree, it'll be more real. Do any of you have an artificial tree? If so, do you love/hate/like it? What kind do you recommend? I've been looking at the number of tips (they say the more tips the more real, but that like everything else makes them more expensive).

I was hoping to find one this weekend, maybe, with all the sales going on. I'm so getting in the Christmas spirit (sorry Ang. I know it's not even December 1st yet, but we didn't totally disregard the month of November!). We pulled Reese's 4ft. tree out last week, and the girls are in heaven looking at it and talking about it, especially when it's lit.

Thanks for the help!

Sometimes I Really Dislike Me...

I really wanted to say hate myself (or my actions), but my grandmom never really like me using that word, and since I don't want my girls to use it either, I'm trying to refrain. But just so you know, HATE would be the most appropriate word for my feelings toward myself these last few days.

Especially last night....

I TOTALLY lost it with Maggie around bedtime. See, bedtime used to be a pretty 'easy' thing around here. Anna would fight it a little bit, but then fall fast asleep in a matter of minutes. Maggie used to be able to be put in her crib WIDE awake and fall asleep peacefully by herself. Well, that's not been the case over the last few months. Maggie has become like a heavyweight fighter in the ring not wanting to be TKO'd by sleep. She fights is so bad; I thought Reese fought sleep at that age, but this is a whole different ballgame. I've never seen a little person be so exhausted yet energized at the same time. Anyway, I get Maggie every night and put her to bed. Last night something just snapped and I got really really angry with her when she wouldn't settle down. I just totally lost my temper, and I don't usually do that. I mean, I get upset and I get onto the girls when they're misbehaving, but to my temper--that's just not me.

I have always wanted to be the perfect mom (yes, I know this doesn't exist, but I wanted to be perfect in my own way). I always knew that spanking and popping of the legs and hands would probably be used as a disciplinary tactic in my house; I mean, I was spanked as a child and I don't think it's totally corrupted me (but seeing how I've been the last few days, who knows?). But I also told myself that mommy's hands were supposed to lift my babies up and give them hugs and love. Now I begin to wonder if they're going to remember this and 'hate' me forever.

I keep asking myself what's wrong with me? I have never been one to just lose it. Get angry/upset/mad--Yes. I don't ever remember letting my temper get the best of me when I was younger. Part of me thinks that some of it is that I just don't get a break. Now, for those of you out there that are saying, "But you're the one that decided to stay home." You're right; I did decide that, and I truly do NOT regret that decision. I won't ever get this time with my girls back, and I cherish being with them day to day. But sometimes, I just need a time out, and I hardly ever get it. My dad commented a few weeks ago about how most people get a vacation, but I don't. That meant so much to me for him to notice and pay attention to that. Not very many people see that. Sure, I blog a lot and email, but contrary to popular belief, being a stay at home mom doesn't mean that I spend each and everyday sitting on my behind. I mean, if I did, we'd never have clean dishes to eat from or clean clothes to wear or even clean children! =)

I feel guilty a lot knowing that I don't bring any money to help with our finances. Since I don't, I try to be as cost conscious as possible. No frivolous buying or spending, and I try my best to spend the same amount everytime at the grocery store. (I will stop the pity party for a second and say that at least I manage that task pretty well). I list out our bills every month and what they are so we'll know how much of Warren's check is already gone by the time we get it. We have a roof over our heads and food on our table, but there are so many things I'd/we'd like to do for and give to our girls. I never got ALL the things that I wanted when I was younger, but I never felt deprived of anything that I did want. I want my girls to feel the same way.

Please don't take any of this the wrong way. I have a TREMENDOUS amount of things to be grateful for this day before Thanksgiving. I've just had a lot of guilt on my shoulders these last few days and needed an outlet. Thanks for listening!

It's Starting Already

A couple of weeks ago, Warren stopped by JCPenney to see if they had any catalogs that he could bring home for the girls to look through to start making their Santa lists. (We were reminiscing about how we used to do that when we were little). Well, low and behold, they had small catalogs devoted to nothing but TOYS!!! He brought home one for each of them! (Daddy's no dummy; one would have been destroyed in no time!) They LOVE looking through them. The twins have even gotten to the point where they'll point to something and say, 'dat' (that) about 100 times for 100 different things! =) I love seeing how excited they get about it. I can only imagine what Christmas morning will be like. I can't wait!!!!! Anna and Reese checking it all out
This thing here looks good
Mag Mags showing me what she'd like
Daddy sure is in for some trouble over the next 18 or so years, especially if they like to shop as much as their mommy and grandmothers!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Another birthday greeting goes out today to my big sis, Brandi. She is celebrating her big day today. I hope she'll read the blog because I can't call her. I did send her a text, so I am hoping she knows that I've been thinking about her today!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRAN BRAN! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT DAY! WE LOVE YOU!!

5 Things I'm Thankful For!

I saw this on someone else's blog, and since next week is Thanksgiving, after all, I decided to 'borrow' the idea.

1. I am so thankful for my sweet hubby. I do not tell him enough how much he means to me and our family or how much I appreciate ALL that he does. He sacrifices so much and works so hard so that I can stay home with our little ones and take care of them instead of someone else. I am thankful for the kind ways in which he treats me. Now, I'm not gonna lie and say that we never disagree or hurt each others' feelings sometimes, but he treats me as a husband should treat a wife. **One night last week we were getting the twins ready for bed when we heard shouting outside. Our neighbors were out in the street fighting with each other and yelling. At one point I heard the woman say, "It doesn't give you the right to knock me to the ground." Wow. I have NEVER been afraid that something like that would happen to me at the hands of a loved one, and especially not my husband. And what makes that situation the more depressing is that the woman has two kids from a prior marriage who are living with that, AND that the police have been called to their home more than once. How blessed I feel knowing that won't happen here.

2. I am thankful for my three sweet, beautiful, intelligent little girls. How empty would my life be without them. I take them for granted a lot, and I need to work on that. They are such precious gifts that I will forever be grateful for. Their smiles and sweet voices can make my heart melt; there's so much love for them in my heart. I hope one day they'll know how much i truly love them. I don't always show it, but I hope they feel it anyway. I sometimes wonder if God really knew what He was doing by placing these sweet souls in my hands, but I always remind myself that God is God and His plans are perfect! Thank you Lord for these sweet babies!

3. I am so thankful for having had the grandparents I did. I'm speaking of my mom's parents (my dad's dad had passed away long before I was born and my dad's mom passed a few days after my birth, so I never got to know either of them.) I guess that's why God put us so close to my other grandparents; they truly were my second set of parents. Anyway, I lived next door to my mom's folks and I saw them EVERYDAY of my life until I left for college. I don't know many people who can say that. I am grateful for the influences they've had on my life and I hope that when they both look down from Heaven that I make them proud.

4. I am thankful that I live in a country where I have the freedom to be an educated woman and that my girls will be too. I'm grateful that I live in this country where I can freely speak of God and His works and His blessings in my life. (Although, today's government and politicitans, etc. make me nervous about how this could be in the future when it seems that Christians can't speak freely about God and that we are in the minority in a country whose foundation was built on nothing less than religious freedom). But I digress.....

5. I am thankful for having a Heavenly Father who loves me and forgives me in spite of my sins and shortcomings (and I have A LOT). I am grateful in knowing that He is on my side and wants the best for me. I admit that I have a lot to learn, but I'm so glad He's there to show me the way.

These are just a few of many that I might be sharing over the next few days until Thanksgiving. It keeps things in perspective for me to sit down and think about the blessings in my life.

Have a great day!

Up Peas..

A couple of weekends ago, we went to visit Warren's folks for the day. The girls had a great time, but I spent most of the visit at their house on the sofa. Once we got there, I began feeling sick and decided to take it easy while everyone else went 'out on the town.'

Before leaving though, we all did go out to the airport. There were model planes and such being flown. They were even taking people for rides in small planes. DamDam was the only 'brave' one to go up, but we didn't see her! We had to head home before it got too late.These were taken at the airport. Whenever the twins want someone to pick them up, they run up to them and throw their little arms up in the air and say "Up peas."
How can you resist such a sweet request?

Daddy sure couldn't......

and neither could BopBop! Isn't that why God made grandparents? =)

And, I couldn't leave out Reese! DamDam treated her to some kind of rainbow colored ice cream, and wouldn't ya know it. the blue color is what 'stuck' to her tongue the best! She LOVED it!!!

Just a Reminder.....

Hey everyone!

Just a quick reminder about adding a Christmas card to your list this year so that you can brighten the spirits of a recovering soldier at Walter Reed. I posted about doing this a couple of weeks ago, and I've heard from a couple of people already! =) I even decided to send a Thanksgiving card as well. I have it all ready to go, except for the stamp, and I'll be getting it in the mail tomorrow. So, if you're interested and willing and wanting to send a card to a recovering soldier, email me or leave me a comment with your email address and I'll send you the hospital's mailing address. I can't tell you all how great an idea this is.

Warren and I were watching something on the military channel last night, and the program featured soldiers who were indeed recovering at Walter Reed. Three of the soldiers they followed were 19, 20, and 21 years old, and one of them was in ICU and in bed for over a MONTH. Can you imagine? His jawbone had been broken, his mouth wired shut, he lost a leg, his arms were badly wounded, and when he was finally able to eat the tiniest (and I mean tiniest) amount of pudding, his eyes lit up and a big smile came across his face. He told the nurse that fed him that he loved her and that people should appreciate the little things in life. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, we don't take enough time to smell the roses. God bless these men and women who serve!

GO DAWS!

Something I thought I would NEVER say in my entire life. I was born and raised a Roll Tide girl. I will always cheer for the crimson and white! But.......Reese wanted to be a cheerleader for Halloween. I looked all over this town for an Alabama one, but since we're so close to bulldog country, I couldn't find one. And, I really didn't see that it made a whole lot of sense to go to Tuscaloosa and waste gas just to find a cheerleader uniform. So, I compromised and we were a DAWG cheerleader! And what a darling one she was! She looked so big, so grown up. I swear she's grown about an inch since the summer; maybe not, but she just seems taller to me somehow!

And to top it all off, we met 'Bully' at the Trunk or Treat. Each car had its own theme and decorations. One trunk was nothing but MSU stuff, so Reese fit right in, and was a huge hit with the owners! Anyway, they brought along their bulldog for the night. (His real name is Kizer). He was too cute. These pictures aren't the best, but Kizer was so excited about being out and seeing everyone!
Reese loves animals, but she is wary of them at first. She wants to make sure they're not going to hurt her. The guy who was 'in charge' of the dog was so sweet! He reassured Reese that he wasn't going to bite her or hurt her. He just told her that he'd probably lick her a lot. And, sure enough, he had a serious tongue that was going CRAZY. This is one of him 'attacking' Warren's hand. He was such a cute puppy! He added a lot to the festivities. All the kids were drawn to him!

Trunk or Treat at First Baptist Church

We took the girls to the Trunk or Treat at our church on Wednesday night. It was our second time to go, and it was much more fun for them this year. Last year, it was cold and rainy, which made me and Warren not so happy, which made the girls not so happy. This year's Halloween was a bigger success for our babies!! Walking through the entrance. Each trick or treater got their own glow in the dark necklace. Reese wore hers for a second, and then Warren became the proud wearer of it! (funny)
TRICK OR TREATING AT THE THIRD 'TRUNK' Needless to say they weren't very shy about 'taking' the candy!
They had the greatest treat sacks. My sister found them for the girls. The twins each had a pumpkin bag and Reese had a Frankenstein. They were a huge hit!
I'm not sure if you can tell, but the twins were ladybugs. Warren's mom got a GREAT deal on them for us (thanks again, DamDam). They looked absolutely adorable, but they wouldn't leave on the hats, which in my opinion, were the best part of the outfit. Reese was obviously a State cheerleader (and obviously very proud of the sucker she received). Her Frankenstein bag was bulging by the end of the night!
There was even a jumper for the kids to play in. Reese definitely cannot pass one by. These things have to be the biggest hit for kids now a days. What were the big things when we were little? I don't even remember.

Reese even participated in one of my MOST favorite Halloween carnival game---the fishing game. You know, the clothes pin on the end of a rod/stick. Heritage elementary always held a Halloween carnival when I was in elementary school. The fishing 'room' was the first and last one I hit. I couldn't pass it by!
What a pro! Guess she gets it from me! =)
Whatcha got in there?
YUM!
Climbing in the car and heading out to Mimi's. Love these precious angels!!

Trunk of Treat Face Painting

Reese has really gotten into the whole face painting thing. There was a small booth at my homecoming game a couple of weeks ago, and she had to have something painted on her face. She was so excited when a lady came up to us at the trunk or treat and asked the girls if they wanted their faces painted. Reese was more than ready. In the pic above, she is serious about telling the girl what she wants on her face. I had no idea that this face painting business was so serious! =)

Anna joined in on the fun, too. We tried to get them to have their faces painted last year, but it was very difficult getting them to sit still. They weren't too sure about it then, but I think that since they've watched Reese so much, they figured it wasn't too bad after all. Anna got a little pink heart on her cheek!

Mags sat in Daddy's lap while having her face done. She sat incredibly still, which came as another complete shock. The first was that they actually didn't throw any fits while having 'strangers' mess with them and then be completely still while getting it done! Wow!!!! Maggie got a sweet little purple flower with pink center on her sweet cheek! She does look a bit concerned, doesn't she? Daddy was there to console her if needed.

What a couple of sweeties!

Reese getting her other cheek painted. I mean, it'd be a bit unbalanced if only one side was done, right?

The finished face---she is so proud. I can't tell you how much I love this little or should I say big girl! She is such a precious soul!