On Friday after Thanksgiving, we left Spring Hope and headed for Raleigh. We stayed there at my Grandma's (Mama Dot's) house until Sunday afternoon. We did lots of things, but mostly relaxed and ate a lot.
On Friday afternoon Aaron and I left the girls there so that we could meet up with the Fernandez family at Southpoint for lunch and a movie. Then that night, we went out to dinner with Stephen and Michael at one of my favorite Raleigh restaurants...Piccola Italia (in Cameron Village...have you been there, Kristin?). Thanks to Gramme and Mama Dot for watching the girls for the day/night!We took several walks around the neighborhood while we were there. Vivian loved to take Angel for walks.

We saw more family on Saturday. They came over for a huge Thanksgiving lunch. Grandma Carolyn and Aunt Nancy were there, along with Granddaddy and Marie.

We played a lot of games and tried to keep the girls entertained.

She's happy in this picture, but in general Kate was pretty fussy the whole time we were in Raleigh. I don't know if it was the difference in our schedule, or the fact that two teeth were coming in (which means she is DONE for a long while...she has them all!).

We had a visit from Santa! I think Michael may have caused some damage to Santa's knee :)
Michael was trying to show Vivian that it was okay to sit on Santa's lap, but it didn't work. She stayed right where she was with me.

Santa sang a rap for us!

We tickled and wrestled Kate a lot. She loves it.

We were able to spend a lot of time with Daddy. It was a treat! The whole weekend was an encouragement to us all. Thanks for hosting us, Grandma! Can't wait to see everyone again for Christmas!

On Thursday morning we drove down to Spring Hope, NC to get there just in time for lunch. We were with the Fernandez family for most of the day...praying, eating, dessert-ing, playing volleyball and corn hole, catching up with aunts, uncles, and cousins, and being very thankful.

Vivian with her 2nd cousin Caitlin (Uncle Charles and Angie's daughter)

Kate sat with me to cheer on her dad,

who was trying hard to dominate in the corn hole game (not sure if he did well or not).

Chairs are a favorite for her!

playing with Grandma!

I think they were singing a fun song

Both girls got the royal treatment that day. Vivian got lots of cobbler and ice cream from Grandma, and here Kate is being spoon-fed some coconut cream pie.

Their piano was a big hit.

Gray and Pam stopped by with baby Judah (who is now a toddler!), but this is the best picture I got :(

We left around 4:30 to head to Lucama for Granny's Thanksgiving dinner. It was a full day!

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and we are leaving for NC this evening. Hopefully I will be able to post pictures of our trip on Friday. In the meantime, be encouraged as I was to read this prayer of thanksgiving. As Pastor Nick mentioned last night, let's remember that we aren't just thankful in general, and to no one in particular. We are thankful to God, our sovereign Creator and King.

"Praise and Thanksgiving" from Valley of Vision collection of Puritan prayers

O my God,
Thou fairest, greatest, first of all objects,
my heart admires, adores, loves thee,
for my little vessel is as full as it can be,
and I would pour out all that fullness before thee in ceaseless flow.
When I think upon and converse with thee
ten thousand delightful thoughts spring up,
ten thousand sources of pleasure are unsealed,
ten thousand refreshing joys spread over my heart,
crowding into every moment of happiness.
I bless thee for the soul thou hast created,
for adorning it, sanctifying it,though it is fixed in barren soil;
for the body thou hast given me,
for preserving its strength and vigour,
for providing senses to enjoy delights,
for the ease and freedom of my limbs,
for hands, eyes, ears that do thy bidding;
for thy royal bounty providing my daily support,
for a full table and overflowing cup,
for appetite, taste, sweetness,
for social joys of relatives and friends,
for ability to serve others,
for a heart that feels sorrows and necessities,
for a mind to care for my fellow-men,
for opportunities of spreading happiness around,
for loved ones in the joys of heaven,
for my own expectation of seeing thee clearly,
I love thee above the powers of language to express,
for what thou art to thy creatures.
Increase my love, O my God, through time and eternity.

Yesterday I took the girls to the mall to ride the train that's in their Christmas display. When I told Vivian about it in the morning, she jumped up and down and squealed. She was very excited and told everyone in Bojangles that we were going to the mall to ride the train (we had breakfast with Daddy). Kate wouldn't take her eyes off the giant Christmas tree in the middle. Then we walked over to the kid's area for them to play on other rides.

Fun and cheap entertainment for them! Although I was tempted to shop a little bit, so it might not have been so cheap after all... :)

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The following three posts are about babies. We are having a baby boom at church and I am very excited for my mommy friends!

A couple of Saturdays ago, I went to a baby shower for Cyrstal and her soon-to-be-born baby girl Sophia. We all met at Abuelo's in Roanoke for lunch, cupcakes, prayers, and gifts! It was a fun afternoon. Sophia is due in a couple of weeks, and Chandler is her older sister (she's in Vivian's class at church).

Caleb Alexander Harris is here! He arrived yesterday around 6:30 p.m., weighing 8 lbs. 7 oz. He is a precious little boy. He will grow up alongside our girls as part of our small group that meets twice a month, and we can't wait to know him and pour love on him! Ashely with her newborn. Daddy Zach and brother Cohen were at home taking a nap when I was visiting this afternoon. Cohen is 22 months old.

There was a full house when I was there...lots of visitors wanting to cuddle with him! This is Destiny. Destiny and her mom are our official small group babysitters, so they will get to know Caleb very well!

The Bollings were there...fun! Kristin was the one who threw Ashely such a beautiful baby shower back in October.

So sweet.

Love you, Ashely! Congratulations!