I add the ham bone, broth, beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and pepper to my slow cooker.

I cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until the beans soften and the ham pulls from the bone.

I remove the bone and bay leaf. Then I shred the ham, return it to the soup, and taste for seasoning.

I serve it with warm bread. My kids may pick out the onions, but at least they eat the carrots.