A Kansas Thanksgiving

So I know this is totally picture overload! I have been terrible at updating the blog, but I finally have time today, and so this is what you get! Forgive me everyone for the bad pictures and pictures that might make your children look gay, crazed, and possibly a little bit handicapped. Hey, they are your children, not mine. But I love them nonetheless and won't hold it against you.

We were able to do so many things that I didn't get pictures of. For example, my sisters and I looked like Zombies while we shopped at Walmart and Target on black Friday. I really did feel like it was a bad dream. However, we all found a couple good deals. Nick and I also got to go to my Dad's work and get a tour of all the jets there. We were able to relax a ton and have a movie night with too much junk food. I haven't felt that sick in awhile.

Also, I uploaded these backwards but I refuse to redo them. So you are looking at our Thanksgiving trip in reverse.

I think this state is the prettiest state there is. This is why I miss it so much!

And this too!

We were able to have a successful family lunch out at a restaurant. It was so fun to go to some of the places I miss and to spend so much time with family. I was not ready to come back to Utah.

The following are of a few of the kids trying on mine and Nick's shoes.

Exhibit A: Ava with my shoes on. Not so weird.

Exhibit B: Alex has Nick's manly shoes on. Could have picked a cuter pair of mine, but ok.

Exhibit C: Landon stole these from Ava because he insisted that they were the best pair for him. Not so ordinary.

Landon successfully took a good picture of me.

The kids and all their cheesy smiles.

This is us playing a pretty funny game called "Curses". I laughed so hard that I was crying a few times.

Cute little Alex

My handsome man on Thanksgiving.

Most of the Coates family

This is Ava taking our picture on Thanksgiving.

This girl really needs to learn what a real smile is. She is so funny.

Thanksgiving day...

continued

continued

continued. There ended up being well over 30 people at my Dad's house for Thanksgiving. It was so much fun to see all our family there. Nick got to meet tons of family he probably didn't even know existed on my side.

The lake behind my Dad's house. This is the other reason I miss Kansas. Nowhere else has so many lakes. Almost every single neighborhood has one.

Nick, Matt and Landon fishing.

So we just had to go see twilight while we were together. Shenna and Andrea ended up having some friends come along too, so we had a whole row of people there. It was fun, except for the fact that we went to the late showing and I missed half of the movie. From what I hear I didn't miss much though. The parts I saw were totally lame. And ridiculously cheesy. Andrea, I now see where Ava gets her face to smile for the camera.

Everyone in the theater.

Driving to the theater.

My Dad teaching the girls all the cool things there are to know about the bass guitar. (Are there any?) Just kidding Dad.

We were also all able to make it to the Zoo. I never realized what a good zoo we have there until I went back. I loved the zoo! Here is Nick with his favorite animal.

Landon with the Lions.

Alex and I with the Tiger.

My sweet husband offered to carry my purse around half the time. I love him!

Ashley and Michael. You would think we were in Alaska the way Michael is dressed. He was scared of the outdoors there.

Part of our group.

Goofy Landon.

We had so much fun going to Kansas for Thanksgiving. I loved showing Nick around the town. I drove him by my first house there and the High School and showed him everywhere there is to show. (Not really much) But I think he liked it enough that we will go back and visit when we can. I loved seeing all my family and a couple old friends. All in all, we had a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for the fun times everyone! We miss you already.