Many thanks!

I'm not sure where this sudden burst of energy is coming from to sit down and edit pictures and blog tonight, but I'll roll with it.  Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with both sides of the family, while still making time to do a few traditions of our own.

I feel most thankful for the family that we were able to share today with, including my 92 year old grandma!  But, of course, I'm thankful for my own family.  For my husband, who I know I don't show how much I appreciate.  Because it's such a blessing watching him love our boys and because he puts his heart and soul into this family in his own way.  For my boys, who both challenge me and fulfill me daily.  I hope they know how much I truly love them.

We got into the Thanksgiving spirit within the past week since the boys both celebrated it at their schools.  Evan had a Pilgrim Party in his class where they were able to eat all the traditional Thanksgiving foods for lunch.  We brought in juice.  Lame...I know.  But, we found out about it the day before.

Sean didn't have a party like Evan's, but he certainly did enough arts, crafts, and educational worksheets about it at school.  It was fun seeing all those things come home in his folder.  The best one?  The letter he wrote to Evan.  He was so excited to give it to Evan after he got off the bus on Monday.  It totally melted my heart.

We're proud of what he's bringing home and I know he's excited to share it with us.

This Thanksgiving morning we started our day with our traditional breakfast: cinnamon rolls, bacon, and orange juice.  Not the healthiest breakfast, but it's a special occasion and one that's all about the food!  Evan wasn't a fan of getting his picture taken, but I snuck one in anyway to capture his mood.

The boys wanted to put up the ornaments on the tree that we got up yesterday, so I agreed to letting them help this year.  They actually put up about 80% of the ornaments all on their own.  Of course I had to put up the ones at the top and I'm happy to say we only lost one ornament in the decorating.  It was nice to sit back and watch them get excited about certain ornaments and remember where some of them came from.

We're getting in the holiday spirit over here...

I put together my food items to bring to my mom's house later and the boys watched the parade with Scott on the couch.  I had a little bit of time to look over those Black Friday sales papers before having to get ready to head over to Scott's sister's house in Plymouth for a visit and to watch part of the Lion's game.

After Scott's sister's house (which I'm bummed I didn't take any pictures at), we drove to Troy for dinner at my mom and dad's house.  My aunt and uncle from Plainwell came in to town and my grandma and other two uncles came too!  It was nice to have everyone together.  I just wish my brother and sister-in-law could be in town too.  Portland is so far away!

This year the boys didn't eat much.  I shouldn't even say "this year", as they never eat very much on Thanksgiving.  They both had some turkey and some crescent rolls.  Sean had some mac and cheese with it and Evan actually ate sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top (we told him they were s'mores and he actually believed it).  Neither of them tried either pie for dessert.  I can't complain, as they both filled up on fresh veggies and hummus as appetizers.

The boys showed Uncle John and Gigi how to play Pie Face after dinner.  It was a hit, as always!  They got washed up and in their jammies before we hit the road to head home.  Tomorrow we are laying low in the morning.  We'll get some laundry done, put away the Christmas and Fall decoration tubs, Scott will start prep for putting up outdoor lights, and the boys can just play.  "Chippie the Elf" is ready for his debut tomorrow morning, complete with advent calendars and a Tsum Tsum advent calendar for the boys.  In the afternoon we're going to see Moana at the theaters.  And if we're up for it, Santa arrives in downtown Plymouth tomorrow evening with Christmas music and the fire truck leading him in to the park.

Happy Thanksgiving!  It was a beautiful day with family!  I can't help but feel blessed tonight.  My tummy and heart are full tonight!