This year we hosted Thanksgiving at our house. My parents came up for the day and over night. I am so thankful to have them so close by. It is easy to take it for granted, however. I found myself responding, when someone would ask about our Thanksgiving plans this year, that it would "just" be our family and my parents. I was convicted that yes, it may not be as "big" a deal as it would be if they had a travel a long way. I realized just how blessed I am that it is this way instead. I am also really thankful that we have all been very purposeful about making our times together very special, not just routine.
My mom did these appetizers. Aren't they cute!
Putting the finishing touches on the meal.
I made all the sides the day before so all we had to do was bake them
and the turkey on Thanksgiving day. Soooo glad I did it this way.
I actually got to sit down and enjoy just being with my family!
Tim and The Bird
Grandpa Time.... not sure who was having more fun :)
The best part: The Meal
It was a great day, eating and eating, enjoying Apple Cranberry Pie, playing Apples to Apples, watching the Macy's Parade, and visiting around the fire after the littles we were in bed.
I honestly don't remember the last time I blogged. I'm guessing it was for Oliver's birthday. This little spot is so neglected, and not because I lack things to say, but simply because life is busy. I am thankful now for a few minutes to type down some random thoughts so as not forget this current slice of life.
We spent a delightful Thanksgiving with my parents. This deserves a post by itself.
I am thankful for the season of thankfulness we have passed through, and am daily hoping for a more thankful heart, not just once a year.
Along with thankfulness, I am conscious much more of specific situations and people God is laying on my heart to pray for. I am encouraged by this tenderness of soul and humbled that He wants to hear my heart.
I am thankful for the week before Thanksgiving that Tim worked just half days and for the long weekend we got to spend as a family. He decorated the outside of our house for Christmas, even washed some windows! Wonderful! I was able to go out for a several-hour shopping day just to myself on Saturday while he stayed home with the kids. I went to like 8 different stores. That never happens, people!
I am enjoying the beginning of the Christmas season, specifically eggnog in my coffee every morning. This is seriously becoming a bad habit!
Right now I am on the last short story of the LM Montgomery book I am reading myself to sleep with at night. I'm a little sorry to see it come to an end, but I'm already on to "David Copperfield". Why did I choose one of Dicken's longest books at this stage of life? Also, I don't know how I'm going to read it in my favorite, on-my-side, book-propped-up-by-one-hand position before bed? I am determined, however.
Tim and I are enjoying reading "A Christmas Carol" together this Christmas. We are two chapters through and enjoying it very much. It is the first read for both of us, though we've seen multiple movie versions, and my personal favorite, Focus on the Family's Radio Theater rendition.
Over Thanksgiving, Katy Grace took her first steps! She has been standing on her own for some time now, and still has a while before we can say she is officially walking, but it was very exciting none-the-less.
Oliver is providing no end of entertainment these days, as he imitates anything and everything his sister does that gets attention, be it hurting herself or getting in trouble, or learning to walk. He had us all laughing as he staggered back and forth between supporting hands!
We, sadly, ended up with no picture evidence, but we hosted a fall party a few weeks ago. It was an opportunity we took to thank various people who have helped us out a lot this past year. We had 13 people for dinner and appetizers. It was A LOT of work, and yes, we admit to at least partial insanity for putting on such a thing while I'm pregnant and we have two kids under two, but it was a great success and the kids were ideal and very much enjoyed by all. It was a fun way to begin the holiday season as well.
Maybe because we're gluttons for punishment, we are gearing up for our annual Christmas party open house in a couple of weeks. Today I made the invitation and it's going out very soon. We're very excited, especially after taking last year off... something about having a baby. The day of our party this year also falls on Katy Grace's birthday, and because she's still too little to know any different, and to make it easier on us, we're celebrating her birthday at the same time. I AM decorating "birthday" not Christmas for this portion of our house, though. It's going to be a "Sprinkle Party" and I'm very excited!
While we're talking parties, Tim and I are really looking forward to attending our first holiday event this coming Saturday. Looking forward to just being adults without kids, dressing up, delicious food and wine tasting with friends.
Tim and I have been making our way through the movie "Hugo" the past couple of nights. It is beautiful... and slow moving. Not sure I like it enough to see it again, but it is enjoyable for now. Tim loves clocks and Oliver loves trains, so it is a good movie for our family in those regards!
After a change of plans, we are planning to go cut our Christmas tree this weekend. We decided to invite friends along this year, since we now have a vehicle large enough to do that, and a trailer plenty big enough for two trees. Should be a fun time! This will be Katy Grace's first time to go tree hunting, well and Oliver's too, come to think of it. He's slept through it the past two years. His first year he was barely under 2 months old, and though awake, I don't think that really counts!
Over Thanksgiving my parents showed us a couple of Tim Hawkins' videos on YouTube, They were pretty funny and have provided laughs since then! Here's a sample if you want to laugh, too.
No more saying he's ___ months old. He is just two, for a whole year. It is a big change for me.
We threw him a train party to celebrate this year. It was easy to choose a theme. He talks of little else but Choo-Choos.
We had a few of his little friends and their families over for a fun evening.
Here is a little look at the festivities.
{ Beginning work on his train cake }
{Engine }
{ Box Cars }
{ The Party Place }
{ Tickets }
{ Friends }
{ Good gifts: train books read by Grammie and a starter train set }
