Good friends + good food + [semi] good football + a little impromptu fotography = fun. Does life get any better? I submit it does not. This year's Thanksgiving was one to remember... Life really is all about relationships and I think that's why I loved this year's Thanksgiving so much. Kylie and I spent the afternoon and evening with a small group of friends and a couple members of the German gov't. I felt a tad underdressed in my t-shirt and jeans to be dining amongst such dignitaries, but they were so nice, and they were interested in seeing how real Americans live, and well, jeans and t-shirts is real life for me. They were actually here on an exchange program as part of a 2 week tour of several parts of the US, and my friend Jordan was hosting them for a Thanksgiving meal. Check out the rockstar pumpkin pie Kylie made. I'm not a big pumpkin pie kinda guy, but I thought this looked really cool with the pumpkin-shaped dish and the leaves lining the edges. Props, sweetie.

Jordan and Rachel have been house-sitting for Jordan's boss while his family is out-of-town, so they were gracious enough to invite us over in addition to a couple of other friends. The house was incredible and was the perfect backdrop for a celebratory meal.

Here's Jordan & Rachel. These two just got married a little over a month ago, and every time I see them they look like they're still on their honeymoon. Two of the nicest people you' ever meet, both with a heart for God and an amazing connection with each other.

And here's Ray and Hannah, also married within the last couple weeks. These two are the perfect compliment to each other and you can't help but laugh when you hang around them. Just. Good. Peoples. I met Ray and Jordan several months ago, and as it turns out Jordan & Rachel, Ray & Hannah, and Kylie and I all ended up signing up for the same pre-marital class.

And finally, here's the real star of the day. Meet JJ. He's a little guy with a HUGE personality and enough charm to get just about anything he wants. If I thought I coulda got away with it, I'd have tried to throw him in a a tupperware container and snuck him out with the rest of the left-overs we brought home.

Oh, I almost forgot... I eluded to Abraham Lincoln in the title of this post. I was schooled in Thanksgiving history yesterday when Jordan - as part of the blessing before we ate - did some homework and dug up Abe's Proclamation of Thanksgiving, where he established this holiday back in 1863. Definitely worth the read. Hope everyone out there had a fantastic day as well. Now... time for more leftovers.