Happy Thanksgiving...

Yes, we know its October and that Thanksgiving isn't until next month but this past weekend we took our first family trip down to Philippi, WV for our family's annual Early Thanksgiving. Every year we get together and have a Thanksgiving meal with the entire extended family and that way we get to see each other and its kind of like a small family reunion. And Thanksgiving seems to be a great thing to celebrate since we all love food... and we have so much to be thankful for!

This year was of course Ava's first Thanksgiving and she got to meet so many people. I think by the Sunday afternoon she was so tired of being passed around, she just couldn't stand it anymore and the fussiness set in. Needless to say, she was also very spoiled and wouldn't let me put her down at all on Monday or Tueseday!

This year was also very special because Ava got to meet her Great Grandpa Jack. Grandpa Jack was recently diagnosed with stage 2 Pancreatic cancer, and so we wanted to get down and see him since he has been sick. Plus, we haven't seen that side of the family since Christmas and we were having withdrawl.

Ava and her Great Grandpa Jack

Ava and her Great Grandma Judi

Ava and Ellis, the two newest additions to the family!

(this is what happens in our family when you fall asleep first)

On Friday night after we had gotten a chance to visit with everyone for a while, we headed up to the college (A.B) for the homecoming dinner. Grandpa was being honored at the dinner for his service to the college. Years ago, about 13 I think, the college named the baseball field after my Grandfather. A big sign saying "Jack Funk Field" was put up and we all attended the ceremony. Well, not too long ago someone took down that sign, so at the homecoming dinner my uncle JD, who happens to be the athletic director at AB, unvailed the new 4'x18' metal sign that is going to replace the old sign. My Grandfather is an amazing man, just ask anyone who has ever been to Philippi... everyone knows Jack Funk! I know he was truly honored by what the college did, although I'm sure he felt he didn't deserve it. We had a lovely time at the dinner and even took a picture of the family that was there.

back row from left: Dad, Nathan, Uncle JD, Uncle Ort, Uncle Don, Chelsea

middle row from left: Shelley, Aunt Linda, Amanda, Aunt Susan, Morgan

seated row from left: Amy, Sarah & Ava, Grandma Judi, Grandpa Jack, Uncle Jimmy, Aunt Judy

front row from left: Jack, Danielle, & Andrew

We also got a 4 generational picture of Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Ava, & Myself, but I don't have that one to share... maybe one of my cousins or Aunts could share that with me? (hint hint)

Then on Sunday after our Thanksgiving dinner, we headed home with a quick stop in Morgantown to visit our friends the Smiths. We hadn't seen the Smiths in about two months and we wanted to meet their new little girl Addi. We headed home around 7:30 and like I said Ava's fussiness had set in and we had to stop on our way back and feed her. Other than that she had done wonderfully in the car, she actually slept all the way down to Philippi on Saturday.

Hopefully we'll get back down to WV soon to see our family again. We always love seeing them and as Nathan always says, he is usually a little sad that we have to leave. Of course I am too and I'm sure Ava will be one day. And after our visit this weekend I am already looking forward to next summer when we can head down and go to the lake and share that new experience with Ava as well.

So even though it wasn't the "real" Thanksgiving, it was a great weekend to give Thanks to God for our wonderful family. We truly have been blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(silly format, don't have time to fix it, as my child is waking up from her nap!)