It was such a treat to stay put for Thanksgiving this year. There were no long car rides {with screaming Rovers} and no packing or worse… unpacking! Our weekend was full and lovely and the Lord was gracious in every way!
This is what I loved about it:
Spotting Mommy Raiger at the farm with her purse.
Letting Paige pick the only fruit we yielded this year from the Satsuma trees.
Allowing Morgan to explore nearby cotton fields in all their white and dreamy goodness and listen to her plan our own cotton field in our front yard with the seeds she pulled out of the cotton.
Sneaking in a picture with all three of my babies.
Watching them be silly and play with one another!
Enjoying Justin’s mother’s beautiful table decorations {& food} for both the kids…
and the adults.
Being reminded of all that I have to be thankful for.
Seeing and spending time with these two precious people on Friday!
I called her “mine” and kissed her precious little face off. Unfortunately Rover hasn’t warmed up to her just yet.
Watching family on a hayride who resemble what I can only imagine I look like 90% of the time.
Trying to capture the “perfect” Christmas picture for my in law’s {along with both sister-in-laws & mother-in-law}!
Almost forgetting to put John Martin in the “cousin” picture, how could anyone forget him!?
Letting the kids be kids… even the big kids!
Watching John Martin act like the boy that he is.
Making his little heart swoon by suggesting that he “help” daddy pull the “wagon”!
And now, I’m equally as excited about and in love with Christmas!
Sara
November 30, 2009 at 11:35 pmHi Darby…I am a fairly new reader…love your blog. I emailed you a while back but I can only imagine you get tons of mail–it would be impossible to get back to everyone. I was wondering if you’d have a second to email or post on your blog where you got the message thingie that you’ve photographed in your house (I think in the kitchen??) It appears to be metal with scrabble tile type letters. Once, the children put a “Welcome Home Mom” message on it. If you could point me in the right direction, I’d be so appreciative. I want to ask Santa to bring it to me!
Nancy
November 30, 2009 at 11:42 pmOh my goodness…. what a great time. Big family celebrations are the best. I remember doing the big events with about 15 cousins. Good memories. That one shot of the feet and the boots… seriously…. fabulous!
Tonia
November 30, 2009 at 11:54 pmSo glad you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Love your pics! We did a hayride too this year. Our “trailer” doesnt look as PERFECT as yours! It looks just like a magazine. I have a feeling your Christmas Card will be wonderful!
Devon
December 1, 2009 at 12:02 amDarby, what a great weekend! May I just say…you are so talented with the camera. I was trying to put my finger on it and I think that you have an ability to tell a story with your pictures. Every photo captures the essence of the person or item being photographed. It’s so fun to read about your life through your pictures! Happy belated Thanksgiving to you and yours…
Heather
December 1, 2009 at 12:12 amBeautiful pictures once again! My favorite has to be the boots. Those cotton fields are beatiful! I have never personally seen a cotton field. Your holiday sounds like it was a wonderful one. We stayed home this year and although we missed our extended family it was nice to not have to travel…….and have a relaxing day!!
Blessings,
Heather:)
Jessica J.
December 1, 2009 at 1:27 amI don’t have any kids but someday when I do, I hope we look as happy as you do with your munchkins in front of the fireplace. Looks like you have many blessings to be thankful for.
edie
December 1, 2009 at 5:52 amOh I love the boots pic! And the kids’ owl shirts. And the cotton.
So glad your holidays were glorious.
Love to you,
edie
Chelsea
December 1, 2009 at 8:03 amLove your pictures, and glad your Thanksgiving was great!
Cate O'Malley
December 1, 2009 at 8:11 amSo many great pics, it’s hard to choose a favorite. Love the one with all the shoes!
katy
December 1, 2009 at 8:42 amI love this post! It is wonderful not having to travel during the holidays! We went about 7 hours away for Thanksgiving but get to stay in Louisville for Christmas, and I am so happy. 🙂 I can’t wait to see all of you CHristmas decorations, you should do a post on them.
krista
December 1, 2009 at 9:07 amSounds like such a wonderful time!!
Kristy
December 1, 2009 at 9:08 amwhat a wonderful time. great pictures. don’t cha just love family. i sure do :O)
Anne
December 1, 2009 at 9:22 amCouldn’t help but notice the big “kid” (Bill) at the children’s table. hahaha Looks like a nice time as usual.
Brooke
December 1, 2009 at 9:30 amWhat sweet pictures! Your family is just so beautiful!
Kelsey
December 1, 2009 at 9:50 amLooks like you figured out how to make an owl applique!!! Share the details if you would be so generous!
Carolyn
December 1, 2009 at 9:55 amLooks like a great time was had by all. I love your kiddos pj pants! Great pictures–all of them. What a special day. 🙂
Dianne
December 1, 2009 at 10:22 amGod bless your precious family!
kristen
December 1, 2009 at 10:47 ami’m ♥ing the picture of everyone’s feet on hayride..love all those boots!! that will make a precious card!
Katie
December 1, 2009 at 11:13 amLove the purse and red boots at the farm! Too sassy!
Rachel Ridd
December 1, 2009 at 11:19 amAre the cotton fields yours? Adorable pictures of Sloane too! I totally want your camera for Christmas, but I’m afraid my pictures still won’t be good! haha
Bailey
December 1, 2009 at 11:39 amYou can feel the warmth in the pictures! My family has satsuma trees in our yard as well, they were rescued from one of the oldest orchards in Texas that was literally being paved to put up a parking lot. Last year we had a SERIOUS bumper crop, stasumas coming out of our EARS. If only I had known about you then to inquire about crafts/canning potential. Anyway, our trees are pretty barren as well this year, ohh the mysteries of mother nature!
Robin Zetterberg Salley
December 1, 2009 at 11:47 amDarby, Okay, I am officially revealing that I am a blog stalker. Alissa Bert (my Auburn roommate’s best friend in Quincy, Fl.) turned me on to your blog. I LOVE IT! With that said, I am so sorry that I never met you while at Auburn. I am pretty sure that I am a couple of years older than you (graduated in ’99). We have lots of mutual friends. Just to mention one…Shelley Allen (she and I are in the same Bible study). Anyways, would you mind posting what pattern you used for the girls’ ruffle bottom pants. Since I started reading your blog, I have taken sewing classes and I am starting to sew some of my girls’ clothing (I have 3 girls ages 3 and under!). Thanks again for being such an inspiration!
katie mccrary
December 1, 2009 at 11:49 amso much fun! I love love love the boot pic!!!
Jen
December 1, 2009 at 12:10 pmwhat a fantastic weekend for you all & the fam! i LOVE the boot picture on the hay ride. that needs to be in a frame!
-jen
Lisa
December 1, 2009 at 12:32 pmThe boots! They are awesome, as are all the small feet inside each one. I love, love, love that picture!
E @ Oh! Apostrophe
December 1, 2009 at 12:40 pmRaiger looks so grown up! And that little Sloane is too much- have you considered stealing her? 😉
mommasissy
December 1, 2009 at 1:14 pmi love you and your babies and my baby. thanks for taking our picture together. we love you, ms & sloane
Tara McClendon
December 1, 2009 at 7:28 pmI love it, too! Great post, D! I’m impressed that the shirts made it this long! 🙂
amanda
December 1, 2009 at 10:55 pmStop it with those pants…soooo cute, love JM’s too, I made the same owl tee for Christian and wish I had gotten another from Michaels’ for Charlotte to match him…I just love your blog and cannot wait for all your Christmas posts (no pressure, ha) I have read and re-read all from last year – just love, love, love it all. Merry Christmas Darby!
Alyssa
December 1, 2009 at 10:56 pmDarby, my eyes swelled up with tears as I was scrolling through your Thanksgiving pics! What an obviously beautiful time for you & your sweet family!
Ellie
December 4, 2009 at 10:24 amHi Darby – just found your blog recently from a mutual XO @ AU friend – glad to know you’re well!
I think it’s so cute, this unapologetic sense of ownership that you have about Erika’s baby! In Tanzania, where I am living, your mother’s sister is your mother. Period. Don’t you love that?
https://ellieandabbie.typepad.com/bright_eyes_blue_eyes/2009/04/mama-baba-dada-kaka.html