Thanksgiving in Tennessee

Thanksgiving was approaching and we were feeling a bit melancholy about being all alone. So, we decided to be spontaneous and drive 14.5 hours (one way) to Tennessee to see Russ's aunt and uncle.

We spent Thanksgiving with them each of the 6 years we were living in Delaware and we've missed them!

We left early Wednesday morning, drove and drove and drove and drove, and arrived at their house just before midnight.

McKell was a trooper through the whole trip (the other girls were awesome, as well). Pictured here you can see her "fingerpaint-with-fruit-snacks" artwork. She asked for a tissue to wipe off her sticky hands, which didn't work as well as she would have liked.

Russ's older sister and her family drove down from Chicago, so it was great to see them as well.
Brenna (4 1/2 yrs old) with James (6 1/2 yrs old)

The BEST way to cook a turkey. Seriously.

McKell enjoyed a snack of brownie topped tortilla chips. Her own invention.

These M&Ms were about the only thing McKell ate at the Thanksgiving table.
At least she enjoyed her meal!

We wish we lived closer to Janet and Allen. We adore them.

Waiting in line for a bedtime back massage from Aunt Nikki and her electric massager.

Uncle Allen's trains amaze us every time.

Janet and I always spend a few hours shopping the Black Friday sales,
and she always comes home with presents for the kids.

So Thursday and Friday were heavenly, and then Saturday morning we packed everyone up and headed home. We stayed the night in Mississippi and finished up the drive Sunday. Crazy trip. So much driving. But so worth it.