We had the best little Thanksgiving at home this year. I enjoyed it so much. I didn't get into posting the things I'm thankful for every day like people were doing on Facebook and on blogs, but mainly it was because I knew I couldn't keep up and I hated to start something and not do it every day. But it certainly doesn't mean I forgot about Thanksgiving, or failed to think about the things I'm thankful for daily. In fact, being thankful has become part of our lives since becoming a heart family. There isn't a day that goes by that I'm not thankful for. These two little miracles pretty much sum up my thankful list. Of course, there are plenty more. But they rank pretty high. Especially when there was a point in time I thought I may never have children after trying for two years.
This little turkey has blessed our lives in more ways than I can even count. He is a living, breathing miracle, whose heart has been touched by the hands of God. Every day when I see his scar, it still takes my breath away. And I always give thanks when I see it.
And my little dolly...the little girl I thought I'd never have. I pretty much look at her every single moment and thank God for her. Sometimes I still can't believe she's mine and I am actually this blessed. Oh how I love her.
And the two other most important people in my life... my mom, and my husband of course! (No pictures of daddy- sorry!) But I could not survive without either one of them. When Craig is gone at work 3-4 nights out of the week, my mom is always there for me. Of course I spend lots of time alone, but if I need something, have an appointment, or just want company- my mom will be there in a second. I am beyond thankful for her. The kids love her so much and she is just an amazing woman.
Andrew's turkey from Kindergarten- he's thankful for his home, family, school and pets (not sure what pets he means, since we don't have any- ha!) So sweet.
I was so happy to spend Thanksgiving this year with the most special people in my life. Normally we go to my grandma's and my aunt, uncle and cousins come but my grandma was sick so we all decided to just stay home. My mom and I talked about just going out to eat since it was just our family and her but Andrew kept coming home from school all excited about Thanksgiving food! He would tell us what all the Thanksgiving food was and ask what we were going to eat! Somehow telling him we were going out to eat just didn't seem "right." Ha! So my mom and Jim came the night before and brought a turkey so we could get it ready for the next day. Andrew was so excited.
He was completely fascinated by this!
People on Facebook were making me laugh by asking what we were putting in the turkey- HA! No it isn't a bottle of wine! It was oil and we weren't putting it inside, just on the outside.
He was so sweet rubbing in the oil and fixing up his turkey! We did some serious hand washing, sink bleaching and boiling water afterwards!
When Ga Ga and Papa arrived on Thanksgiving morning, Andrew was very intently tracing his hand prints for hand print turkeys!
He made one for each place setting, and he even traced Kerigan's hand and made one for her!
After a beautiful late morning walk, we came home and set the Thanksgiving table.
Andrew loved watching daddy carve the turkey!
My mom took a picture of me every year with a turkey leg! So I had to take one of Andrew- he loved it! And his milk in a fancy glass! He even got to eat on a fancy plate (our wedding china, which I'm not sure we've ever even used!) It was so fun to get all that out!
We went around the table and everyone said what they were thankful for. Andrew got so into this. He told everyone whose turn it was and when he was done with his list and we were about to move on he said "wait! I have another one!" It was beyond precious.
Thanksgiving isn't complete without pumpkin pie! Andrew loved it!
After all that food, everyone just rested and hung out the rest of the afternoon. Craig informed me that this is what guys do on Thanksgiving Day- Ha! Football, nap, newspaper, remote. Check!
Ga Ga snuggled with the kids and read books.
I frosted some sugar cookies for our weekend at Craig's family, and got ready for our special night out that evening.
We took the kids to Disney on Ice, which has become a Thanksgiving weekend tradition. This was the 100th year anniversary, so they had even more characters and it was just awesome. Disney never disappoints, and it was so fun to go and see all the characters we saw this summer. I think Andrew was waiting to meet them and get his picture taken though! Ha!
We weren't sure how Kerigan would do, so we had my mom and Jim on standby at our house, just in case we needed them to come and get her. She did awesome the whole time!
Hmmm, which princess doll do I want?
Little Minnie
Just a few pictures of some of our favorite scenes...
The shark from Nemo was a huge hit!
The Beast was pretty amazing!
Buzz, Jessie and Woody!
This part was so neat, they made the castle into scenes from "It's a Small World" and played the song and had lots of characters from it, it was really spectacular!
Kerigan was just enthralled the whole time! She never took her eyes off the ice, and she stayed awake the whole show (until 9pm!) I was amazed. She loved it.
Especially when Minnie came out! Luckily, she came out in between almost every act so we got to see her a lot! Kerigan would point at her and say "Minnie!!!!" So sweet.
Andrew liked Pinocchio!
And Jimminy Cricket!
But we were all stunned when the whale swallowed Gepeto and Pinocchio! Amazing!
We don't know the movie Mulan, but the dragon was awesome!
A favorite.. the Incredibles!
And the Lion King characters...
They set off fireworks at the end and all the characters skated everywhere- it was a wonderful show!
This little man was loving it! It was so fun we all got to do this together as a family. Kerigan might be finally getting to the age where we can take her places with us! I love it!
It was a perfect Thanksgiving Day.
We are so blessed!
*My sweet friend Autumn made the kids shirts. She was making some for her own kids and offered to make them for mine, too! That was so thoughtful of her- thanks so much Autumn! Andrew especially loved his!
