Thursday, December 18, 2008

Giving Thanks





This years Thanksgiving was a huge family affair. With Dustin and the kids and I in yet another new house we decided to share the day with us and we had quite a turn out that warmed this old
house right up. My Aunt Jeanine came all the way from Ohio to join the crew
and to surprise my Mom and Grandmother who knew nothing of her plans to be here. She walked up our drive way on her cell phone with my mother (whom was inside), walked in the door and right up to my Mom (still on the phone with her), it took a second or two for it to register, but then great cheers and laughter erupted. It was so nice to have her here.






My sister Becca was here with her Husband Sean and their daughter, home from college, Rachel.
Nana deserved to take a load off after helping me prepare the Thanksgiving meal for 30 people. Grandpa Larry (Dustins Dad) and Papa (my Dad) were soaking up the grand kid time and keeping them busy while I got the food out and ready for the masses.

After the filling meal, that was wonderful by the way and a big thanks to all that pitched in, there was plenty of time for us all to chat, relax and have some family time. Including story time for the kids with uncle Jeremy, photo ops with the grandparents, and of course some football.
Addison and Jonathan both seemed to fully enjoy their pumpkin pie and were quite entertaining as they gulped it down.
What a wonderful day, and though a lot of work, I cant wait to do it again next year!

Trick or Treat !!






Well Jonathans first Halloween and Addisons first trick or treat was a big hit and something we must do again, we may not even wait til next year. I mean they are cute enough to get candy from strangers any day of the year! We started out the day by putting on our costumes early and visiting all of our people. We surprised Nana at work and the kids went from cubical to cubical collecting handfuls of candy from their new best friends. Nana seemed to beam as she showed off her grand kids to her co-workers but because I left the camera in the truck we missed the Kodak moment.





Next we went to go see Papa and Linda at their house. The kids got to play with the cats and meet Amy, Papas parrot that I grew up with and have a close bond with. After posing for lots of pictures, we moved on down the street to share the love with Grandma. Grandma was very surprised when she got home from work and we were running around her front yard waiting for her. She said we made her day even though the kids ended up tearing up her living room and having a couple of temper tantrums, I'm sure leaving her ears ringing.




After napping in the car, a much needed one I might add, we got to Uncles house and posed for a family picture before we hit the streets for some free candy!



The first couple of houses were ruff, but after that things started to pick up. Jonathan seemed to get it very quickly and had a look on his face of "why haven't we done this before", Addison on the other hand wanted nothing to do with it for the first half hour or so. With tomatoes in the candy bucket (as a joke) at one of the first houses, Addison chose wisely, and munched on that tomato while lounging in the stroller. Seriously. After her snack she seemed to feel better and joined in the fun.


The rest of the night went smoothly. Jonathan trick or treated til he dropped and we all ended up riding back to the house in Aunt Jens Truck.


All in all the whole day was so fun and it was great to start our own traditions.