a little gratitude

I know, a little late, but really, is it ever late to express a little gratitude?

I am grateful that although our trip was delayed a day, we were able to drive to Arizona to visit my family over the Thanksgiving week. (And on that topic, I'm also grateful that my oh-so-not-mechanical husband and I were-with the phone assistance of his dad-able to jump start our car and that after battery tests, were in the clear with a perfectly fine battery. ???)

I am grateful that after 14 hours in the car, at least someone was at my parents house to greet us. And at a house we had never even been to.

I am grateful to my not-so-little brother Garrett and his fine entertaining skills while we waited yet almost another day for my parents to finally arrive.

{I love Uncle Garrett's horse rides}

{I love my Uncle Garrett and even though I haven't seen him for 2 years, I can't stop talking his ear off}

{How come I didn't get to go outside????}

I am grateful for the full day we all spent together, totally relaxing doing nothing, before heading to Mesa.
I am grateful for my aunt and uncle for putting us up for a couple days. On top of just welcoming a brand new little baby girl the week before and hosting our family's Thanksgiving dinner.

{Kim and Steve with baby number 4, sweet Maycee}

I am grateful for all the wonderful food prepared. Especially those extremely hot HOT homemade stuffed jalapenos.

{My mom, the non-cook, getting sucked into some intense food preparation-hence the gloves and masks}

I am grateful for my little cousins that entertained my kiddos the entire trip. And for my uncle for bonding over a can of whipped cream with Reganne.

{Digging dirt in their Thanksgiving best-Hanging out in the Playroom-Four girls in a tub}

I am grateful to Kim for lending me some short sleeved tops to wear in the near 80* weather. (My Thanksgiving sweater was just not going to cut it.)

I am grateful to April and Camry for helping to clean up the cherry Dr. Pepper that sprayed everywhere when Christian threw an unopened can on the floor.

{What the heck??? Why does everyone else seem to be enjoying these???}

I am grateful that we decided to come home one day early-yes, only a little grateful...:( -and that our car's DVD player decided to turn back on when the screen suddenly went blank after only a few hours on the road.

***

And, I am so very grateful for my own sweet little family.