We decided a year ago, knowing that we'd be going to AZ in October for Aly's homecoming, that we would not be going to Mesa for Thanksgiving because it would be too crazy to do an AZ trip 3 months in a row. We reminded our family of this several times throughout the year. But then my sister Breanna, AKA Bean, ended up having her wedding Thanksgiving weekend, so off to Mesa we went.
Wednesday - Turkey Pit Night
Wednesday - Turkey Pit Night
 |
| Do you spy with your little eye a Cami?? |
You can find her in this video that Robert took when they thought he was still taking a picture :)
24 turkeys in the pit this year!
 |
| Love Scott's and Preston's face in this picture. They had just gotten a gust of smoke in their eyes. |
Thanksgiving Day
 |
| Getting the turkeys out the next morning. All were cooked to perfection! |
On even years the Richardson family takes priority for Thanksgiving, so we joined them at their Thanksgiving tradition of eating at Golden Corral after seeing a movie.
Fed James a few tastes of lemon. That was fun :)
That night Robert and I played "In a Pickle" with his sisters. There's a slight chance I may have been extra tired and slap happy, but I was laughing to the point of crying nearly the whole game. Almost all of us were. The funniest sequence was this one...
 |
| DNA is in a worm which is in the President who is in a coffin which is in a pool in the garbage in a hurricane in a bottle in a small intestine in an email. Hahaha!! |
Friday
Breanna went through the temple to take out her endowments. Nearly my entire family and most spouses were able to attend the session together. It, of course, was AMAZING.
Breanna went through the temple to take out her endowments. Nearly my entire family and most spouses were able to attend the session together. It, of course, was AMAZING.
After we all went to Nielsen's
 |
| How many people can you fit in a Nielsen's booth??? |
 |
| Not enough because some had to sit at another table. I spy with my little eye 6 photobombers, haha! |
Big Richardson Thanksgiving
 |
| Captured this moment with Robert's dad and James... |
 |
| Which reminded me of this moment from last Thanksgiving :) |
 |
| Crystal and Aly entertained many of the cousins for a LONG time playing several trampoline games. |
We had a little birthday celebration for James.
James kept doing this knee walk the whole time we were there. He's doing it less and less the better he's getting at walking, but everyone would get a big kick out of it while he was doing it.
Saturday - WEDDING DAY!!!!!!
 |
| The ceremony was BEAUTIFUL! |
Luncheon
 |
| If there's one thing my family can do, it's make food for A LOT of people :) Each 6 qt crock-pot is a different kind of soup, and they were all delicious! |
 |
| The beautiful bride! |
Reception
 |
| Our cute little family. I LOVE the way all of our outfits came together. |
 |
| My boys :) |
 |
| My baby :) |
 |
| The Happy Couple! |
 |
| Blurry but I love that Breanna and Aubrie are both dancing with my girls. |
 |
| Wiped out! |
SOOOOOO happy for Breanna and Jordan!! And I'm so glad we were able to be there for the fun!
Sunday night we visited my Grandma Hall. James kept trying to play in the soot of her fireplace and it made me think of this picture of me in the exact same spot 25 years ago.
 |
| My Dad loves his Jimmy Boy :) |
And at the crack of dawn Monday morning we were on our way home while this breathtaking sunrise chased us the whole way to the state line.
Again, such a whirlwind of a trip, but as busy and chaotic as it usually is, it ALWAYS ends up being worth it.
