Thank You For Thanksgiving!

I love the holidays and everything that comes with them, especially spending time with the family.  I have many memories of Thanksgiving mornings gone by, and they all involve that wonderful parade that commences the holiday season.  I can remember how much I wanted to be a Radio City Rockett when I was little. And now I love that my kids are glued to the television squeeling as they see the giant balloons and broadway singers...and of course those magnificent Rocketts!

It was a quiet day at Nono and Grandma's house and a great time with Zia Lauri!  So much food and then a surprise from Grandma.  She got us our very own Christmas Elf.  We first read the story of the elf on the shelf and then we had to name him...otherwise he wouldn't get his magic!  Then topped off by a classic holiday tradition or should I say obbsession with The Polar Express.  Grandma said that Aidan has been asking to watch it since Halloween.  Love, love, love the holdiays, so let them begin.


Reading Elf on the Shelf to you guys!



Zia had to have a picture showing that you are almost as tall as her!

An Early Thanksgiving

We were blessed to get to enjoy our family from Idaho for an early Thanksgiving.  Mikyla, Aidan, and Ethan were so excited to see their cousins; we've been skyping but it's just not the same as playing in person, and oh did they play!  Mikyla was glued to Aubrey and Courtney's side and Cora was glued to Mikyla's side...oh the love for the older cousin, it was so sweet.  And the boys, they were busy outside having walnut fights, jumping in and out of the walnut trailers; and getting a little banged up in the process. 

Then there was the food, lots of food, and the kids table was once again full!  It filled my heart to once again here the loud cries of everyone talking around the table.  And after dinner we were entertained by the play of all plays about none other than Santa Claus himself.  Directed by Clayton, and staring Aidan as Santa Claus.  Everyone was happy, except Mikyla and Cooper who didn't have a job or not the job they wanted!  Mikyla, with no nap, got pretty upset and almost missed the show all together; but was saved by her boosem buddy Aubrey.  Aubrey let Mikyla play the riendeer after she had a turn for a while, and all was right with the world once more.

Loved being with all the family even for a few days, now the countdown is on for Christmas and the next arrival from Idaho.

The Turkey Dance

Aidan was so excited for his Thanksgiving program and couldn't wait for me to do the "Turkey Dance".  He showed me the motions and I was afraid that this Turkey Dance seemed awefully similar to the chicken dance which I can say isn't my favorite; but for Aidan I adore every motion.  There was turkeys, pilgrims and indians and Aidan was what else but a little indian.  He was so exicited to see me in the audience and it made my smile even bigger.  There he was standing in the back smile on durring every poem and song and then there came the turkey dance!  Aidan had such fun up there and then all the kids lit up as Mrs. Sanchez invited us parents to join in the fun.  I have to say that it was one of the only times I've enjoyed that dance, and now I'll think of my favorite little indian every time I hear the song!  The program ended and then came the feast, which was disquised as a healthy food group banquet, I helped serve and then snuck over to see Aidan and his friends before I left...such fun!

Hayrides, a Bounce House and Bonfires

The smell of fall is in the air, finally, and I adore everything that comes with that delicious smell.  The last couple of years the annual hayride at Grammy and Pappa's house has been not so annual, canceled due to weather, but this year was different.  We got there before everyone else, because the kids couldn't wait to get their feet a bouncing in the bounce house.  Just the smell of the bonfires burning and seeing the hayride got even me excited for the season.  You see the hayride means it's almost Thanksgiving and then the holidays have begun for our family and we set flight on the world wind of activities that follows. 

Of course Mikyla couldn't wait for Aubrey to get there, and once she was they were thick as thieves, two peas in a pod.  I don't think I saw one seperated from the other all night.  It warms my heart that she has someone so close to her.  I didn't see Aidan much, he spent most of the night in the bounce house with the other boys wrestling.  He did make it out for the hayride, of course and he cracked me up because he was determined to roast his own hotdog for dinner.  It took much longer than I thought to accomplish this task, I don't know if any hotdogs fell in the fire in the process, (he's not telling); but he did it himself and was very proud!  Ethan bounced his little heart out and when he wasn't in the bounce house he stuck pretty close to my side, which is fine with me.  And At the end of the night who were the last people in the bounce house?  Ethan and Aidan, bouncing as high as they could, my only thought was that they were going to sleep well that night.

Amanda and John came to visit and got to experience their first hayride.  It was a good time and filled me up with gooshiness because I knew the memories that my kids were making with all our friends and family.  And so...now let the holidays begin!  Bring on the food, the family and cousins, the fun...and did I mention food?!