T-H-A-N-K-F-U-L...!

We trekked across the country last week to spend a few (far too short) days with our family for Thanksgiving.

We loaded up the car, dog included, and headed on the road!  I wasn't sure how the girls would do with a long car ride, but let me give a small shout out to them.... they were A.W.E.S.O.M.E.!!!  Totally awesome!

The road trip, as long as it was, provided us with a great dining experience... Taco John's!!  Anyone that knows us, knows that we love us some Taco John's.  But sadly enough there are none in Indy, so we planned our trip accordingly and stopped along the way.  So. Worth.It!!!

As I said, the days were far too short, but we made the very best of the time we had and packed as much family time in as we could!

The girls missed their cousins like crazy.  It took no time at all for them to instantly pick up where they left off.  Quinn played "Mother Hen" to Judson, Crew and Elsa and was a wonderful help (I think!).  Sullivan loved helping them too!

There were many-a-meals around the table where kid conversations were had and laughter filled the room.  It was music to my ears!

The girls had many sleepovers too... one with Nana, one with Grandma Jane and another with Auntie and Uncle.    The girls loved that!  Here are the older kids (minus Miss Elsa) listening to stories before bed.  So so sweet!

Elsa allowed Uncle Ryan to take a picture with her, although she wasn't so sure about that man (still!).  She knew where he was at at all times!

We had our Thanksgiving meal with Ryan's family - where again we ate too much.  Great food, but better company!  Gigi was here from Denver too, so it was an extra bonus when we found out we were coming back to SD too!

We met Murphy, Eric's dog, for the very first time this past weekend.  

Quinn fell instantly in love with him and wanted to play with him constantly.  Sullivan also initially liked the dog, but it turns out the dog liked her more.  Murphy couldn't leave Sullivan Grace alone, which sort of freaked her out.  And sort of made her happy all at once.

Aside from the traditional Thanksgiving memories that were made, we were also in town for a couple of other traditions.  Us Kapanke ladies took to the stores for Black Friday - which I must admit were quite bare this year. No complaining.

We also took in the annual Festival of Lights parade downtown where my mom rented a hotel room that overlooked the parade.

Judson and Crew, along with Quinn and Sullivan, took in the parade.  So did Meredith's friend and her daughter, Hallie.  Quinn and Hallie hit it off right away and had a great time together.  Two of the kids - no names mentioned - wanted nothing to do with the parade.  They got bored after about 5 minutes and then had more fun running around the hotel room making mischief.  The kids' names might have rhymed with Mullivan and Drew - two peas in a pod!

From Left to Right: Crew, Sullivan, Hallie, Quinn, and Judson

 The three die hard parade watchers... Quinn, Hallie, and Judson!

And another tradition that we were thrilled about was Pooley Pizza Night - oh how we miss this tradition.  We still keep the weekly tradition alive in Indy, but it is just not the same when you aren't surrounded by all your loved ones!  We were so happy to have this opportunity...

And before the trip was done... an updated 'Four Generations' pictures was needed.  It had been a LONG time since the last one - maybe when Sullivan was a babe.

We were SO SO SO thankful for the time with everyone.  The Thanksgiving season was just that - full of great memories and full of thankful thoughts about the time we had together and the love we share.

In three weeks we will be heading back that way to make more memories together.... let's just hope that Quinn and Sullivan rock the car ride like they did this time 'round!