So much to be thankful for...

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving that was filled with reminders of what matters the most. Rachel and I went to see Will's Thanksgiving performance at school; he was a pilgrim. We all went to Hope to see my Dad and then on to Dallas to see the rest of my family. My Aunt Dianne, Uncle Larry, their daughter, Robin and her son, Sam and my Uncle Ronny all made it.

My little pilgrim...

Rachel, Pawpaw, and Will

My newphew, Noah

My newest nephew, Hayden. Yes, Rachel remains the only girl.

You see where I get it? Yes, my whole family values wit, humor, sarcasm and just plain silliness! My Momma and Aunt Dianne were being just plain silly here.

The fabulous four: Austin, Will, Rachel, and Trae

Family Fun in Big D

We made our way to Dallas the day after Halloween (which happens to be my Mom's birthday) to visit family. We had a wonderful time with my mom, dad, brother and sister and their families. We got to see my new six-month old nephew, Hayden, for the first time. We also saw my oldest newphew, Trae's, flag football game, (boy, Texas takes their pigskin seriously! The coach actually dropped an "f-bomb" on the field. I know that doesn't sound major, but Trae is seven!) and go to his birthday party. Such a fun trip.

Austin, Will, and Rachel throwing her gang's, The Beotches (membership 1), sign.

Momma and the newest (and last!) addition to the Turner fam, Hayden

Oh boys!

What a cute fam, and so glad they're mine!

Nephew Noah Abrahm Lee and sister Katy

The Birthday Boy Trae

The whole fan damily!

Trick or Treat!

It was a very commercial Halloween at the Erwins. Rachel was Dora the Explorer and Will was a ninja (I think...again) this year. Both costumes right out of the bag and 100% polyester at best. I always want to get creative, but they wouldn't appreciate it, and it would probably be wasted except for the time and stress it would require of me. Regardless, they were precious as usual, and we had a fun Halloween.

My little Dora the Explorer and Ninja in the act

Family friend Christine gets in on the fun as a "cereal killer"...get it?

My neighbor, Temeka, and Will. Rachel was scared.

We stopped by my best friend Jenn's who lives just around the corner (I know, lucky me!), and Will played to the camera.

Role reversal with Jenn's husband Mike

The buzz is even their dog, Molly, got in on the fun!

The jackpot ain't a pot of jack...

I've seen it once, and that was all I needed to see of Vegas. I'm not much on gambling, and Sin City is quite expensive if it isn't "comped". The tickets to the shows were too expensive for my taste as well, so that just left us wandering from one casino to the next in search of a good photo op. Here are a few of my favs:

Cover that thing!

Some of the strip; NYNY in the foreground

A blog-worthy shot from the Bellagio (I believe...)

Back bloggin'...

Is that sort of like jive talkin'?

I've been deficient in my blogging (along with my status reporting at work). I'm posting a few past pictures and can better guess at the subject matter than the dates that they occurred.

A trip to Dallas

We almost lost Will to Smokey at Bass Pro Shops.

The blind leading the blind at the "shooting" range; Kirk shows Will how it's done!

I'm not sure who is who's biggest fan, but I'm certain who is cuter!

Whew! This shopping is hard work! Rachel and Kirk taking a break at IKEA.

All 3 take in the Dallas World Aquarium

Safari Arkansas?

We went to my Grandfather's 79th birthday in Texarkana this weekend. Good, wholesome family fun at the family's exotic animal ranch!

My cousin, Jeff, Rachel and I check out the giraffe.

"Hello my brother from another mother..." says Kirk.

An "I don't know" way too close!

The zebras were very shy, but we were able to get close enough to snap this shot.

Bryce, Will, Jace, and Slade with some very exotic domestic kittens.

It's a small world, Austin and all!

I had to go to Austin for a conference, and while there I decided to catch the Hogs with the Austin Area Alumni. I ran into old friends I hadn't seen in at least 3 years! I taught Evan how to call the Hogs! Wooooo Pig Sooooie!

Stepanie, Mark, and Evan Seutter

Me, Stephanie, and cutie Evan

Kirk and I - still trying to teach him the Hog Call!

Shameless Plug...

We're almost famous. Well, Rachel is anyway. Check her out on our friends Katie and Jim's blog: http://thebattreals.blogspot.com/2007/09/girls-night.html.