The week of Thanksgiving, we had a Flynn family reunion. Almost everybody was able to attend, so it was crowded and fun. John's parents' beautiful new house was finished just in time for the reunion. It was a lot more comfortable with all the extra space!
On Wednesday morning, all the womenfolk went to go get pedicures. This was so nice since we're used to the "boys" going to football games, etc. while the "girls" are stuck with the kids. We went to California Nails in Hamilton Place Mall. The people working there were pretty rude so I cannot recommend that nail place! We had fun anyway. I got bright green glitter nails in celebration of Christmas . . . see below!
That night, we all went to Rock City's Enchanted Garden of Lights. Every year, Rock City puts up millions of lights on their trail. It's very neat and fun. Unfortunately, it was super foggy that night and our pictures aren't that clear! Charlie loved seeing the lights and found a new favorite food: kettle corn. He pretty much ate his weight in that stuff. I've never seen him eat anything like that!
Thursday was Thanksgiving, of course. Before we ate, we took a moment to remember Doug. John's dad planted a tree in the front yard honor of Doug and had all the children put a spade of mulch around the tree. It was a very touching, spiritual moment for all of us. When John's dad talked about families being forever, I felt the reality of it.
Hannah, Joseph (two of Doug's kids) with Charlie and John.
The weather was so amazing Thanksgiving day. It got up into the 70s! We (well, some of us--we were all spread out) got to eat on the screened it porch. It felt more like Easter than Thanksgiving.
That night, we all played "Minute to Win It" which is basically where you perform really crazy tasks in one minute. John was annoyingly good at everything . . . he was able to catch a marshmallow in a mug on the first try. Ugh. My task had something to do with sucking up M & M's with a straw but I didn't know we could use hands and so I lost mine . . . I still call for a do-over!
On a final note, here is what I learned/felt during this family reunion:
John's parents are total cheaters.
I was super impressed with the teenagers there! Kelsey, Hannah and Bailey were so fun and sweet to all the kids. They had such a good attitude not to mention they are all stunningly beautiful!
I felt relieved that Charlie got some man time. He's surrounded by girls 24/7. He got to play with his boy cousins . . . and they actually played together. We're blessed that he has so many boy cousins his age!
Laura loves paintings of fat people.
Always wear flip flops when you go to get a pedicure . . . that way it won't get smeared. Now I know, Katie!
Chocolate Coconut Pecan Pie is to die for. And I almost died after eating it!
I love my family!
