Kyle's parents came in town this past weekend to spend some time with us and hang out. His Mama was able to attend my baby shower with me that my church community group threw for us. We were so blessed to have his parents with us for a couple days!
This past weekend we went to see Kyle's family in Eastman, Georgia. We drove down on Friday and got in by suppertime. Then on Saturday we drove about an hour to go see his Granny in the nursing home. It was a special time to see her, talk with her, and pray with her. We are both so grateful for the legacy our grandparents are leaving us. Isn't it so beautiful to watch our grandparents stay faithful in the Lord, even to the end of their lives?
For breakfast I made pumpkin muffins and eggs...
Here are some beautiful flowers that Dad and Kyle bought Mom and I when they made a last minute run to the store Wednesday night to buy a turkey baster and meat thermometer. They were so sweet... even when they were having to fight people and traffic the night before Thanksgiving, they were still thinking of a way to bless us!
Here is our table all set today for lunch...
Close up...
Our Spread: Turkey and gravy, cornbread dressing, sweet potato pie, cream corn, and rolls.
Pecan pie and Pumpkin bread for dessert...
Here we are... about to enjoy all our yummy food!
Tuesday Kyle and I were both off work so we started the day trying out a new restaurant called Wild Eggs that makes only breakfast food. It was very yummy!
Kyle got a breakfast burrito that was excellent and super filling.
I enjoyed eggs, hash browns, and a bowl of fruit (not shown).
Next we went to Hobby Lobby and enjoyed shopping for Christmas decorations.
Mom and I found these adorable little snowmen chefs... perfect for our kitchens for the holidays!
On Wednesday night Mom and I got the turkey ready to cook all night. It turned out really yummy and slightly sweet.
I have to admit I was a little disgusted when I saw the turkey neck still in the bird! Ugh! I told Mom that she would have to pull it out!
A patient where I work told me that when he cooks his turkey he stuffs an apple inside to keep the meat moist. We decided to try it and it gave a light sweetness the meat. I'll definitely be trying that again!
Here is our beautiful bird at 4:30am this morning! We baked it at 500 for one hour and then turned down the heat to 250 and cooked it for five hours. Kyle and I got up during the night to pull it from the oven.
Yeah for Thanksgiving Day preparations!
On Monday night we celebrated my Dad's birthday. We enjoyed a fun dinner together after I got home from work and then we went to the mall and went shopping.
Dad requested a Banana Pudding for his birthday dessert. He was so excited about it! (Kyle was too! They cleared the entire bowl off that night!)
Yummy goodness!
Since we didn't have candles, Kyle imaginatively thought of him blowing out the lighter! ;-) It was too cute!
While we were at the mall we couldn't resist getting a few Christmas photos in front of the tree.
I love this picture of Mom and Dad! It has been so much fun and such a blessing to have them here with us!
Our first Christmas together as a married couple!
My parents drove in from Texas on this past Friday night and they are staying with us until this coming Saturday morning. We are so excited that they are here and we are enjoying our time with them. Kyle was blessed to have Monday and Tuesday off... and I've had today, Tuesday, off as well so we have been able to spend some good quality time with my parents. Tomorrow, while Kyle and I are at work, my Mom will be cooking; preparing for Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, and shopping.
My Dad LOVES to collect books! He is always finding great deals at Half Price Books. He has been collecting a stash to bring Kyle when they came. When he mentioned bringing a few books, I thought it would be maybe 5-6... however, he brought him a whole box full!
Here's Dad showing him the books...
I loved watching Kyle and Dad chatting and it meant so much to me that Kyle was able to appreciate and enjoy the same things as my Dad.
Bonding time... :-)
Another thing my parents brought us was a beautiful Christmas tree that my Mom had found in a garage sale for $7! You would never know that it was used though because it is still so lush and full! We are so excited about it!
Kyle and I decorating our tree.
Mom and Dad were so sweet to help us out!
Here it is all decorated! We don't have many ornaments yet, but we did buy a few with my parents at Wal-Mart and Hobby Lobby. I'd rather it be a simple tree anyway... and I'm sure over the years we will have more than plenty of ornaments! We love our tree!
I really miss these little guys! These are my nephews back in Texas who are adorable! L-R: Keagan, Logan, Jordan. Jordan just started walking on his own in the last couple of weeks and it's not taking him long to catch up with his older brothers! He thinks he's just as big. Haha!
As the fall draws closer to us; as the weather cools down (at least here in Louisville) and we start pulling out jackets for brisk mornings and cool evenings, my mind yet again wonders to the upcoming holidays. What will it be like this year? This is Kyle and I's first Thanksgiving and Christmas together as a married couple! Right now, our plans are for my parents to come up to Louisville for Thanksgiving and hopefully for Kyle's parents to come up for Christmas. This will enable us to enjoy our first holidays together in our new home.
We are so very excited about extending hospitality in our home to our families. For 25 years our parents have had the joy of us all being together in their homes during the holiday season... and now it's our turn to have them in our home, as we start new traditions.
Over the last few years, traditions have become a big deal to me. With the thought of having my own husband and family in the near future (yay!!! That time has begun!), I had begun to think of fun traditions that I would like to start, as well as many that I would like to continue. Also, now that I have a wonderful husband, I will have his family's traditions to begin incorporating into ours. What are your favorite foods to eat? Pecan or Pumpkin pie? Or both? Sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes? (I never even knew that people ate MASHED POTATOES for Christmas or Thanksgiving until Lisa joined our family!!! haha...) Turkey or ham?
With the excitement of our families coming to OUR HOME this holiday season, I am excited to begin working towards compiling a list of inexpensive holiday festivities to enjoy with them. However, I want to be so very careful that we don't become so wrapped up into "festivities" that we forget the real meaning of Christmas. It's so easy to become consumed in wanting my house to look "just so," or to have the perfect serving dishes, or to have the perfect holiday scented candle or the perfect bright colored decorations.
My goal for us as we begin new traditions is to learn how to center all holiday festivities, joy, and cheer around Christ.
Christmas with Kyle's parents in Georgia. The first time I got to meet them. We were just dating then... almost engaged.
The food that Kyle's Mama and I made... mainly her. :-) Oh... and her peanut butter fudge is DEFINITELY one tradition I am passing on! I LOVE it!
Thanksgiving at the Oliver's house. Our table, set and ready for the herd of people about to come through. It's always been so much fun over the years watching my Mom set our table so pretty and now enjoying doing that with her as I've gotten older.
The Oliver clan at Thanksgiving. Kyle was so brave to get in that picture with us... even though that was his first time meeting my family! I guess it was prophetic! ;-)
I would LOVE to hear from other couples, young and old, about fun traditions that your families have done over the years, or especially, that you have started as a new couple yourself! Please feel free to leave comments...
On Friday, Kyle's parents drove up to Louisville to spend a couple days with us. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with them and are sad to see them leave. I thought I'd give a pictorial overview of our time together. (Who would have guessed? Pictures? On here? haha...)
After work, Kyle and I went up to school to meet up with his parents.
Family shots...
After leaving the Seminary, we went to the Mongolian Grill for lunch. It was super yummy! Then we went to the Summit to walk around and shop a little.
Mama and Daddy at the Summit.
Kyle and I in front of the beautiful flowers... They keep the Summit looking so nice!
Daddy enjoying his FIRST EVER STARBUCKS! He tried a White Chocolate Mocha, which he really enjoyed!
Mama enjoy her FIRST EVER STARBUCKS! She got a decaf, soy iced caramel macchiato... just like what Kyle and I were drinking. She really liked it too!
We sure enjoyed just relaxing with Kyle's parents!
Back home after dinner, Mama and I cooked away and prepared Greek food for dinner. This was their first try of hummus and falafel... it went over well I think. :-)
On Saturday morning I had to work but Kyle drove them around Louisville showing them various places we like to go. Then they went to Simply Thai for lunch. Mama said she really enjoyed the Pad Thai she got!
Once I was off work we went to Huber Farm in Indiana, where Mama and I went peach picking. We had so much fun in the little country stores and eating at the family style restaurant!
Enjoying fresh made ice cream. (yes, we splurged...) They make all of their fruit ice creams (except cherry) with handpicked fruit from their farm. Kyle got pumpkin flavored and I got peach. Super good!
Daddy and Mama enjoying their ice cream. Daddy got chocolate and Mama got peach.
Mama and I waiting on the tractor-drawn trailer to go pick peaches...
Mama picking peaches...
Me enjoying the peaches... I loved being out there! You could smell the sweetness in the air as you walked under the trees.
Workers were out in the orchards and they were bringing in the peaches by the bushel! They sold them in these cute little baskets in the country store.
Check out this pumpkin! There was also a "talking tree" outside the store's entrance.
Enjoying some country R&R...
Farmers???
They look like they have wigs on!!! I told Mama she needs to put up a picture of this in her beauty shop and say this is what a chicken would look like if she got a hold of it!
Walkin' by the road... after we had scared them off!
haha... this is probably my favorite because they are all walking in a line...
This chicken is probably thinking "what strange humans!!!"... haha!
Our hubbies were waiting so patiently for us as they watched us (with amusement, I'm sure!) run through the graveyard chasing chickens! haha! Gotta love 'em! :-)
