More Thanksgiving Week Events

The days after Thanksgiving were filled with shopping.  Black Friday has become a tradition that the grandkids insist we participate in--I love it, myself!   I go shopping with the grandkids and let them pick out their presents, then I go home and wrap them and we have our own Copeland Family Christmas whatever day we are with them.  It is always so much fun!  I was actually getting calls and texts from the grandkids who lived in different areas of the country who told me they had found their perfect gift.  Great!  They all know the rules and are so good to live by them.  They get to open them after we are there to watch them.  Even though they know what it's in the package, they are so excited because they picked it themselves.

Shopping with Cameron and Anne's kids.

 Cassie got Kennedy all dressed up to go shopping, too.

 This is just unbelievable.  Here is Kennedy . . .

 and here is Cassie as a baby.  I couldn't believe the resemblance!

 While we were out and about, we went by the model home of the house which Kent and Natalie are planning to build.  They plan to move to Dallas after it is finished--not sure exactly when that will be.

 This neighborhood is about 20 minutes from where Craig and Cameron live.  It has a beautiful lake in the center of it.

 This is the exact lot they will be building on.

 We, also, got to see the building where the dental practice that the boys are starting will be located.  The interior renovation will begin this week and probably be finished by the end of February.

I had to include this.  There is a strip mall across the street from where the dental practice will be.  The boys are going to have a little kiosk in there to let people know about the dentistry.  Anyway, we were talking to the woman who is the coordinator of the building.  She wanted to show us the hall where parties can be catered.  We opened the door to all this.  I asked her the cost of renting the hall:  $1,200.  She is the caterer and charges $2,200, plus the food:  $3,000.  What's the occasion????

A three-year old's birthday party!!!  Unbelievable!!!  Who pays that kind of money for a three-year-old's birthday?

As we were standing there talking, suddenly a huge cockroach came running out.  Instinctively, I ran after it and smashed it all over the floor!  George said, "Laura, how could you do that?  That bug was going to be part of the game the little girls played at the party!"  We all laughed, even the woman.  She seemed very unaffected by it.  I really hope she cleans it off the floor before the people paying over $6,000 for the party walk through the door!

Anne said she wanted to take me for a pedicure for my Christmas present.  I didn't hesitate in saying, "Yes!"  Love it!  Thanks so much, Anne.  Great idea!

 

One night, just the adults went to a Japanese restaurant where they cook right in front of you.  It was divine!  The girl to the right of Anne is her partner in Creatively Chic Photography which they run together.

Copeland Christmas Party

So, finally the night came when the presents could be opened.  The kids were all so excited!

We always start with youngest on up.  Since Kennedy was the youngest and would need a little help, Riley agreed to open her presents for her.

It's never too young for princess dolls--even if they are Fisher-Price!

And a car for the princesses to ride in.

Of course, Gavin wanted a ball--a football this time.

And a soccer goal for his new playroom.

Next up:  Riley.

He got a dinosaur shirt, and . . .

(Don't you love how interested all the other little kids are?  So cute.)

a moveable dinosaur!

Mason was next.

He wanted little race cars . . .

and the track to race them on. 

Jaxon was counting the hours until he could open his very own digital camera!  (I think he wants to be a photographer like his mom!)

All of a sudden, Mason went dashing over to Papa George to tell him thank you.  That was so sweet!

 Sydney had to wait until last since she was the oldest grandchild there.  But she was pretty happy with her "Just Dance" game . . .

 but even more happy with . . . (Notice how excited Jaxon is, too!)

 her mini-chocolate fountain!  Like I said before, with Celiac disease, she has to be creative for desserts.  You can't believe how many things have flour in them!

 Fantastic Copeland Christmas party!!

Blessing Day for Kennedy.

Besides getting together for Thanksgiving, George and I wanted to attend the special day that in the Mormon Church we call "The Baby Blessing."  A child isn't baptized until they are eight years old, but shortly after their birth, they are given a name and a blessing by a Priesthood holder.  In this case, her daddy was able to give her that blessing being a Melchizedek Priesthood holder.  It was absolutely a beautiful blessing.  It brought all of us to tears!

Amy had found this dress on line and showed it to Cassie.  She then asked if I could make it.  "Sure!" I said.  It only took 10 hours--but it was certainly well worth it.  Kennedy looks adorable, don't you think?

Craig and Cassie, Riley, and Kennedy

We took lots of special family pictures!

 

 

After the baby blessing, we all went to Craig and Cassie's home for a wonderful lunch Cassie had prepared.



 

 After lunch, the kids had a great time using the guys' legs as their tunnel.



 Anne took lots of pictures of Baby Kennedy in her blessing dress.

 Kennedy's little blessing shoes which her Aunt Amy gave to her.

 Yes, we love our Baby Kennedy!

Soon, we went back over to Cameron and Anne's place to pack our suitcases.  Sydney had planned a chocolate party with her new chocolate fountain.

 The best!  Sydney will definitely enjoy that chocolate fountain--as well as the rest of the family!

All too soon, our week was over, and we headed for the airport.  Fantastic week with two fantastic families!  The great thing is--we are going to spend time with every single one of the seven families between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year!  A grandparent's dream!