Thanksgiving

This year was a hard year for me personally. I had my mother pass away in March (and I also had my father pass away in 2006). So, I didn't feel like I would have a place to go to for Thanksgiving to be with my family until my aunt and cousins invited me to their home. It was wonderful to spend time with everyone. I took a bunch of portraits of everybody before the meal and was then able to turn them into Christmas presents. 

From Left to Right: my cousin Rachael, my Aunt Val, 

my cousin Mandi, Aunt Val's mom, June and up 

front and center is Bishop, Rachael's son.

Mandi and her husband, Danny

Rachael and Bishop

 Aunt Val and her fiance, Nick. Now both Nick and 

Aunt Val lost their spouses a few years ago and 

we are all so excited that they found each other.

 Nick and his two grandsons

 Nick's son's family (who drove down for the 

day from Alexandria, VA).

 After dinner who got this great shot of all of us. I love my

 family and all they have done for me this year. They have 

all truly blessed my life in so many ways!

 I couldn't do a Thanksgiving posts without a few food shots.

Here's a pecan pie.

 I made and brought the fruit salad (or ambrosia as we call 

it). I made it every year for my family's Thanksgivings, so

 it was special for me to make it this year.

 After dinner all the kids (as we are still called) went out to 

see a light show. I set up my tri-pod and ran back and forth 

to get this shot of all of us as we waited for the show to begin.

I hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving with family and friends. Even though I have been through the ringer this year, I am still standing and it is because of my husband, his family and the family that I have left. Here's to new traditions!