It’s my favorite time of year. I wanted to get the Christmas tree up today, but this two kids thing means somehow I never get very far into my to-do list. Soon, twinkle lights and garland, soon we shall meet again.

We spent Thanksgiving here in town with my parents and my brother, sister-in-law, nephew and grandmother. My dad’s 60th birthday is also this weekend (sorry, dad, hope you weren’t wanting to keep that under wraps!), so we celebrated that, too.

I could make a long list of things I am thankful for. I could wax eloquent on all the reasons I am so very grateful. There are many. Instead, I’m just going to share pictures of the ultimate reason I am thankful: FAMILY. My grateful truly begins and ends here.

Corin and cousin Benjamin had a blast together.

Monster truck races on Grandma and Grandpa’s back deck

75% was the best we could do for everyone looking reasonable.

My babies

Why yes, that entire stick of butter DID go in the mashed potatoes.

Our first year with a kids’ table

Pretty good lungs for an old man