Thanksgiving 2014

Thanksgiving in Wetumka Part IV

We spent Thanksgiving in Wetumpka, Oklahoma at Randy and Nancy's ranch again this year, for the fourth year in a row. This year, Jack and Graham both were over-the-moon excited about their annual Collin and Cody day.

As ever, Graham loves being around family and getting attention and love lavished on him. This was also the first year that he could reach the snack food table, so he was in heaven (until daddy had to pry 6 crackers out of his hand).

Kristin and I really enjoyed the opportunity to spend time with family, as Jack spent the majority of the day tagging along with Cody wherever he went and Graham spent time with his adoring fans (i.e. BB, Grandad, Mumo, Papo, Hayley, etc). I don't think the boys would have planned the day any differently.

As part of our annual tradition, we feasted on our steak and turkey then we went down to look at the animals (a baby calf was the highlight this year). At the end of the day, Randy took the boys on a tractor ride that they really seemed to relish.

All in all, I don't know that the Biggs family has ever felt more thankful:

- Kristin and I have a wonderfully strong marriage.
- We have amazing kids.
- We have the world's greatest family.
- We have a church home that is more than we could have ever asked for.
- Lastly, we have a God who is good and merciful. Thanksgiving, for us, marks the beginning of the holiday season, so we always get a full month to really reflect on the gift of Christ. This year, we have truly been blessed and we are more thankful than ever!

"I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union."

- President Abraham Lincoln (first Thanksgiving proclamation)

Thanksgiving in Wetumpka

We spent Thanksgiving in Wetumpka, Oklahoma at my aunt and uncle's ranch this year, for what I think was our third year in a row. I can't even tell you how much Jack looks forward to this day each year. In fact, he refers to it not as Thanksgiving, but as "Collin and Cody Day!" Actually, Jack does lots of thinking about what he is thankful for (namely Graham this year) and who he is thankful to for all of his blessings, but he also just so enjoys seeing the animals and riding Trigger. This year was no exception!

Graham enjoyed his first Thanksgiving experience as well! He loves being around family and just thrives on all of the attention. He rode Trigger himself, even if only for a minute. He doesn't like to be left out of anything!

Randy and I have so much to be thankful for. I think we were just overwhelmed this year more than ever by how God has blessed us, not just with the material things we have, but with His grace and mercy in our lives. We are so grateful for His love and simply for the truth of who He is and therefore who we are. This year has been very eventful in wonderful and terrible ways and we are just thankful for a God who is in control of all circumstances, forever working in us, helping us grow to be more like Him.

Thanksgiving at the Ranch

For the past few years, my family has begun a new Thanksgiving tradition of celebrating at my aunt's house, which is on a ranch in Wetumpka, Oklahoma. Last year Jack was a little young to realize where we were, but this year he realized that he was in heaven. Little boy heaven, anyway! Not only was his favorite person there, my 8 year old cousin, Cody, and lots of yummy food within reach at all times, but there were also horses to ride, tractors to drive, etc. He was in awe and just had the time of his life!

Of course, the rest of us had a great time too. I always love getting together with the whole family and this was the first year in awhile that both Daniel and Adrienne, and Hayley and Nick were in town for Thanksgiving. It was so nice to spend time with everyone! We all went to see the movie Blind Side on Friday afternoon and went to the Thunder basketball game that night. It was a busy, but enjoyable weekend!

Jack snacking

Playing pool with Hayley and Nick

Playing in Cody's room

He discovered his passion for the guitar!

Eating at "the little table"

Heading down to see the horses with Daddy

Meeting Trigger with Grandad

Jack can't be anywhere too long without cleaning the place up a bit

Collin and Cody

Riding a tractor

An attempt at a family pic

Jack's first ATV ride. Mommy was very nervous

Somewhat better family pic

My parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents

Showing Hayley how it's done

Snuggling with Uncle Nick

Here is a video of Jack playing the guitar for the first time:

And one of Jack's first horsie ride: