It was really good to be home for Thanksgiving this year. Each time a different holiday rolls around, I find myself being so grateful that I'm back home to enjoy it with family. Don't get me wrong, it was good to be on our own for a few years; we learned so much, we saw a new part of the country, we made amazing friends. But.....there really is no place like home. It took us living in Kansas, the land of Oz, to fully appreciate that saying.
So back to Thanksgiving--- it was busy. The day before the girls and I joined my aunt and her daughters for some pie making lessons at my grandmas. She taught us how to make the perfect crust. It was really fun and I'm so happy my girls get to have this memory with their great-grandma.
We ate dinner at my Grandma Thomas' house. She laid out her best china and the delicious dinner was served early in the afternoon. When the dishes were cleaned up, the tradition is for the women in the family to spread out the ads and map out a plan for Black Friday. Yes, we are some of the crazy ones who get up early to get the deals. It's more for the tradition then anything. We've done it for years, and it's something I look forward to every year. This year we were out the door by 3am and home again at 3pm. That's right, 12 whole hours of kid-free shopping. I got about 75% of my gifts purchased that day. Too cool.
After Thanksgiving dinner with my family, we drove to Don's brother Paul's house for pie and fun. It was a full house and most of the cousins were there. We had a variety of pumpkin desserts---everyone was thinking the same thing this year! The kids played air hockey, pool, watched movies in the theater room, and the adults chatted by the fire and passed around sweet new baby Sennet. She is heavenly.
I didn't once pull out my camera that day. I wanted to enjoy the moments without trying to capture just the perfect one for the blog.
The rest of the break was spent with cousin sleep overs, movies, indoor swimming and the big BYU vs. Utah football game. Tough loss this year---Don was very disappointed.
Now Christmas is in full swing, the trees went up at our house the day after Thanksgiving. I love this time of year; the anticipation of the kids, the excitement in the air, the snow, even the crowded stores. I don't even mind the traffic. It gives me a feeling of warmth, love and tradition.
One last note, I was so happy to hear that a dear friend from highschool follows this blog! I got to see her glowing and beautiful in her wedding dress last night, and I want her to know how happy I am for her and that I wish her all the happiness in the world!
