Thanksgiving Part 1 + a Holiday Giveaway!

Thanksgiving...oh how I adore you! So far I have been able to watch the famous Macy's Day Parade, lounge around the house in pj's, sleep in, spend much needed time with family and indulge in some of the best homemade food (pumpkin pie being my favorite) a girl could hope for. Y'all, I don't know about you, but I have used a lot of my downtime to really count my blessings. There is so much to be thankful for, far more then I can even realize, and have truly been able to see all that I have been gifted with in just these past two days. So how about a little glimpse into the first part of my Thanksgiving that shows you some of the things that God has blessed me with. I hope you enjoy :)

First thing Thursday morning, Miller, Will and I hit the road to head to Greensboro to visit my family! This is the first Thanksgiving that Will has been able to come along with me and I couldn't have been more excited.

Since my parent's were not able to be with me on my actual birthday, we celebrated me turning 25 with pumpkin pie and opening gifts together on Thursday afternoon. I can not WAIT to share with you guys what I got (insert a lot of excitement here) later next week!! Because my Dad's birthday is on a weekday in December and I won't get to see him, I decided I wanted to give him his gift in person early...and I don't think he complained one bit! Some of the things I got the soon-to-be birthday boy were yummy Speculoos Cookies and Crunchy Cookie Butter from Trader Joe's. Greensboro doesn't have a TJ's yet and I think I got my dad hooked on the store when he last visited Charlotte, so it was only necessary to pick up some of his favorite obsessions! And I couldn't NOT get him the Green Bay Packers personalized NFL Glassware from Pottery Barn to use on game days.

After opening our gifts, it was time to eat some food and watch the Packers play the Lions. Sadly, the Packers lost but our spirits were quickly turned around when mom brought out the Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie...whew wee, that stuff is some kind of good. Side note- another thing I am thankful for was Momma getting out of the hospital on Thanksgiving day! Since Monday, she had been in the hospital with a lot of stomach pain and sickness and they finally figured out she had an ulcer and kidney stone...both that they said could be treated with lot's of medicine and NO surgery needed! PRAISE THE LORD! 

Friday morning rolled around and Will and I went to pick up Biscuitville and Krispy Kream for everyone to enjoy, and while Momma rested, Will, Dad and I ventured out to the Carolina Sciquarium at the Natural Science Center and had a ball visiting all the animals and exhibits they had open.

After a great afternoon exploring with two of my favorite men, Will and I have to get ready to say our temporary goodbyes as we head to Chapel Hill to pick up his younger brother, Cody and head off to Pilot Mountain to spend the second half of our Thanksgiving holiday with his Mom and brother Noah! I can't wait to spend some quality time with Will's family. That's all for now...be sure to check back on Sunday for my Thanksgiving Part 2 post!

But wait. What kind of person would I be to leave you guys hanging in the meantime?! Since I am so thankful for all of my readers, I am participating in a Giveaway (my first one) and am so excited for one of you to win some money! Who doesn't love a little extra cash around the Holidays? I know I do! Right below you can enter and I am crossing all of my fingers and toes for one of you to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway