We are Thankful for Friends!

Jill and Jonathan

The last time the Petersons visited, it was raining and Jill did some quick thinking and came up with a campfire on the porch. They all remembered and insisted they play that again, complete with loud singing and marshmallows.

Inspecting the roasting sticks

Brenna trying on Andrew's Indian head dress he made at preschool for the Thanksgiving Feast.

Sydney laughing at Andrew

We decided to celebrate Christmas early. In all the years we have exchanged gifts, this is the first time we've been together to open them. It was so fun to watch the chaos!

Sydney opening her Unicorn book. This picture does not accurately capture the screaming and excitement!

Brenna is a serious gift opener.

Jonathan got some Chuck and Friends cars and the Fold 'n Go Fire Station.

Great minds think a like! Jill and I got each other the new Pioneer Woman Cookbook.

Andrew reading his new Mater Saves Christmas book and Sydney reading her new Jewel the Unicorn book.

Jill and I enjoying some face to face conversation for a change and Jonathan didn't want to be left out!

Jonathan and Cory hit it off great! Especially when Cory agreed to read to him.

Attempting to capture our four kiddos.

First a silly face...

Anarchy

Oops. We lost Jonathan and we're losing Brenna!

OK. Fine. We'll take two smiling and looking at us!

Andrew got this great big semi with lots of little cars inside. It's so big that Jonathan thinks it's a ride-on toy.

Last Friday after Thanksgiving, the Petersons came over for supper and play time. The kids played together great. We actually had adult conversation at the table while they played. In all the times we have been together, this was the first time with limited fighting and quality adult time! We knew this day would come, but didn't know when.

And since they have gone home to Oklahoma, Andrew talks about Sydney and Brenna every day. Most days it goes something like this:

Andrew: "Sydney and Brenna are never going to come to my house again!" followed with a big sad sigh
Me: "Yes, they'll come to play some time, we just don't know when."

Andrew: looks at me with sad eyes and shrugs his shoulders and moves on to something else

So, Petersons, instead of moving to Virginia, maybe you could move here?! We loved seeing you and we miss you!