The Zyriek Zoo: Thanksgiving Weekend

We are in town this year for Thanksgiving, which is a change from the past two years we have traveled to South Dakota to see Gary's mom. The temperatures were a little warmer in Memphis, at least until Sunday, but still very enjoyable.

My brother James, his wife Lydia and their boys, Blake and Drew (Anna and Caroline's same age partner-in-crime cousins) arrived on Wednesday afternoon. The girls could not wait. They instantly were having a great time playing and of course being as loud as possible.

Thursday was great with two wonderful meals at Mom's for lunch and Dad's for an early dinner. All the kids plus James and Lydia spent the night at Dad's. Bonus for Gary and me!! That just meant that both of us could go Black Friday shopping. Gary has never been before and honestly, I don't think he will go again. Mom and I landed at Target in Cordova at 11:45 for the midnight opening. After a long wait to get in the door, we managed to get all but one thing we went there for. Poor Gary was 0 for 3. Gary and I slept in on Friday and then met the kids at the park to enjoy the beautiful and unseasonably warm temps.

Friday night James, Lydia, Gary and I enjoyed a meal at Flight, in downtown Memphis. It was very, very good. I left with a full tummy and thoroughly enjoyed the time together. We so rarely get to do that with them since they live in Dallas. Before dinner we walked over to the Peabody which was all decorated for Christmas and enjoyed some time in the lobby before our reservation for dinner. The kids all spent the night with Mimi and Papa that night after going to see the Muppet Movie, which they loved.

Saturday was pretty calm...Iron Bowl, which Auburn played as expected (Oh, what a difference a year and a Heisman trophy winning QB will do for you!) and Baylor vs. Texas Tech which was great. We enjoyed yummy chili that Gary made for dinner at our house and the kids played their hearts out. They were sad to say goodbye to their cousins that night as they would be heading out on Sunday morning as we headed to church.

Great weekend. We are thinking of going to Dallas for MLK weekend. James will be installed as a deacon and we need to see their new (or not so new!!) house. We have so much to be thankful for in our family and very much felt the blessings this weekend. Glad we were home with so much family.