Thanksgiving 2011

Dear Abigail,

What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had this year. On Wednesday, your class had their very own Thanksgiving meal and your whole family was invited! Mommy, Daddy and Kate met you at school at lunch time, just in time to eat some the yummy food Miss Barbara made.

You little sister was happy to be there, too! And all your friends loved seeing her.

Right after your Thanksgiving lunch, we all got in the car together and headed to Cookeville to Aunt Amy and Uncle Martin's house. We got to their house early afternoon and what a beautiful afternoon it was. And you had no problem enjoying yourself outside... Harrison decided to show you the creek behind their house.

It looks all innocent and sweet, you playing with your cousin and all. Well, I finally figured out what had your attention. The creek was full of water, and so were your shoes and pants! But you 2 played and played and played. At one point I looked out and the two of you were trying to sit in a plastic tub in the water. Something about going fishing. Who knows - but eventually I had to get you inside, dried off and warmed up! And get ready for dinner. Uncle Martin made his favorite dish, or well, one of them - Paella and guess what? You loved it! Aunt Amy got a kick out of you because you asked "Mom, do I like this?" and I said "Sure" and you said "I do like this!!"

Thursday morning, Thanksgiving Day, we woke up and got ready to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade. I'm pretty sure Aunt Amy and I were more excited than you kiddos, but we made you watch it anyway! Well, sort of. Eventually, Papa volunteered to take everyone on a walk, including Kate!

I said go for it! And I told him to make Daddy and Uncle Martin go, so Mommy and Aunt Amy could have the parade to ourselves! Now, your Aunt Amy was SUPER awesome this year and volunteered to cook the entire Thanksgiving meal on her own since we're in the middle of moving, and Aunt Steph is in the middle of having a baby, or super super close! At first I was a little hesitant because, well, she and Uncle Martin tend to make, how do I put it, different meals than the normal American family, which might make sense since Uncle M isn't exactly American (i.e paella). But anyway, I was a little hesitant, but Aunt Amy sent me the full menu, including multiple potato dishes, so I was content. And I was a little worried we might be eating at 10 that night, but she assured me that that is always Uncle Martin's fault and that she was the head chef today so I had nothing to worry about. Well, you know me, I had to see it to believe it, and at 9 that morning, we were chopping onions, cutting green beans, baking potatoes, and all kinds of things! So far, she was very organized and ahead of the game!

Meanwhile, you and your buddy played and played and played...

I think poor Caroline was getting her feelings hurt that you were playing more with Harrison than with her. Harrison has always been a fan of you though, and I think the same goes for you, too.

By noonish, I felt Aunt Amy may just pull this dinner off so I went off to clean up and get my girls looking spiffy! And, might I just say, you spiffed up mighty fine indeed!

It was such a relaxing Thanksgiving. It was so nice not to be scrambling around the kitchen, jumping over one person or the other trying to get your dish made and at the same time as the others just to make sure you're not the reason the dinner isn't served on time! Well, it was relaxing for everyone except maybe Aunt Amy. Don't worry, she had a little help... The boys had to do their part.

And Uncle Martin had to tell them what they were doing wrong...

And believe it or not, we were sitting down to dinner by 6 o'clock!!! Look at the beautiful turkey!

Aunt Amy outdid herself and we all ate and ate and ate, and then went around to tell everyone what we were thankful for. You made it clear that you were very thankful for chocolate ice cream. I thought that was a good one. The night before, when I was putting you to bed, I asked you what you were thankful for and you said "flowers, ice cream and Monkey Joe". Please keep in mind you are still not a fan of Monkey Joe. Interesting, very interesting...

I of course said I was very thankful for my girls and their Daddy but also to be have such an awesome family and relaxing Thanksgiving day!

After dinner, you kiddos watched a little television and headed to bed. Mommy got to stay up late and play games with the fam and the next morning we had a delicious breakfast. I will say, I was a little disappointed that we didn't do our annual day after Thanksgiving Day hike. It was SUCH a beautiful day, but we really needed to get back home to finish packing. Other than that, a fantastic Thanksgiving. Fantastic!

Love you little turkey!!!!