While we normally go to Texas for Thanksgiving, this year we decided to switch things up and go to Bloomington, Indiana. My sister and her family moved to Bloomington over a year ago. I got to go visit in March, but the rest of my family hadn't seen their new house and property. My kids were also looking forward to seeing their sweet little cousins. After my sister's family moved to Bloomington, my parents bought a little house close by so they were with us for Thanksgiving as well. Then my brother Benjamin and his family came down to join us from Michigan. Just Timmy and Jill couldn't make the trip out. 

The weather got colder and colder as the week went on, so we made sure to take walks around their 11+ acre property the first day.

We also got to see the Gallo's huge puppies. Both are under a year old, but you wouldn't know that to look at them!

Buckle up, there's a lot of pictures of these two together. If I'm around, Nathan is my best friend and constant companion...unless Hannah is there.

James is pretty happy with anyone giving him attention. Before we got there Rachel said something about Uncle Andy and he said, "Who is Uncle Andy!?" Turns out James was a fan.

Could we count the number of card games played that week? Nope! 

See, James loves everyone...

Sisters! Don't tell Nathan, but she's my real BFF!

We walked this cool cave loop hike adjacent to the Gallo's property. There's a huge system of underground caves, some of which is under their land. This is a big sink hole.

Once again, somehow Andy is a cat magnet. 

One morning we went to downtown Bloomington to go to a fancy donut shop. When we walked in, they were completely out of donuts but were going to make more, so we killed some time walking around on the campus of Indiana University.

Then we went back for the donuts, and they were WORTH THE WAIT!

Ellie is our dog person.

James found another pair of shoulders to hang out on.

I have so many pictures of the two of them cuddled up together on a couch over the years.

We spent Thanksgiving Day at my parent's house. Their house is small, but has a ton of open space and different little sitting areas. There was the puzzle area, 

the card area, 

and the Lego area.

My parents wanted each family to take a picture with them photo bombing in the background for their Christmas card this year.

For now, all of the Krause grandkids.

Sister photo.

Apparently we can't take pictures without being goofy before...and during!

Pretty inseparable.

Thanksgiving was delicious as usual. Always one of my favorite meals of the year.

And then the pies! YUM!

Friday was our last day in Bloomington. The Krauses all came over to the Gallos house in the morning. Ben played some Christmas carols for us on his keyboard, so we had a little Christmas sing-along. 

The grandkids in age order are still in order of height. 

For our last night in Bloomington, we went back to my parent's house. The kids played Charades.

More card games.

Whatever this is.

Ending with kisses.

Ring Around the Rosie...not sure how that started.

More of these two.

Ending with kisses.

Then we played a couple of rounds of Mafia, which was very fun even before James randomly, out of nowhere decided to pull down his pants in the middle of the circle. Rachel told him that wasn't funny and he said, "Yes it is. Everyone is laughing." He was right. It was really funny.

The kids' last night together.

We had a super early flight the next morning (sorry, Dad!), but that meant we got back home before noon which was pretty nice. It was a short, but sweet trip!