Giving Thanks

Back around March or April, I started to realize that the Holidays would be different for me this year. Every year of our married life, we have celebrated Thanksgiving with my sister, Suzanne and her family. I absolutely love Thanksgiving! I love her family. I love that our kids play so well together. But I also knew that going to Idaho for Thanksgiving likely was not going to happen. She has all her grown children there, with her grandbabies, and so if we were to go there, we'd have to stay in a hotel, and that would be hard with the current unemployment circumstances we are dealing with. Plus, we have our two huge dogs, so that makes it tough. We debated on what we should do, going back and forth with having it by ourselves, just the 5 of us, or accepting our friends' invitation to share Thanksgiving with them. We finally accepted their invitation. However, two days prior to Thanksgiving, Pat's brother ended up in the ICU, and she felt completely overwhelmed with hosting the festivities. So, the Chief and I decided to offer our home, and invited all of their family here. We all kept our food assignments, so all we had to do was round up some chairs and tables, and clean up the house.

We moved the furniture out of the family room, and set up tables, and prepared for the feast. We spent the day watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and then playing games once Shauna and Craig arrived! It was such a wonderful day, even if we weren't with our family. Our friends have become our family. We all are so grateful for the many blessings we have, especially our Saviour Jesus Christ. 

One of our three tables set up to serve all 23 of us

We even had place cards!

It was such a beautiful day that the boys had a pick up bball game!

The adult table!

Seth with his chocolate turkey, Brendan in the background

The beautiful bird

Lou and Pat

Shauna and me

Ohhh Baby!

The Chief was wonderful and supportive recently when I asked if I could go to Denver alone to spend the weekend with my oldest friend in the world, Julie. It was a big deal as he had to be dad and mom all rolled in one and coordinate schedule, carpool, football practice, and daycare. Meanwhile, I just got to fly off, and relax in beautiful, sunny Castle Rock!It was an amazing weekend for me! (Thanks, Schatz, Ich liebe dich)

Big Brother Nicholas plays and sings to baby Lydia...He was so sweet with her!

Some tummy time for Lydia

This little girl was only 12 days old when she lifted herself up off this contraption! It almost looks like she is smiling! On this little toy, she lays on her stomach, with her feet touching the ground, and she is able to "kick" herself around and the thingee in the middle spins. It made me laugh! It amazed me that at such a young age, and only 6.5 lbs. she can do this. Reaffirms to me that God is Great!

Here's Mamma Julie and Sweet Lydia. I love this photo!

I got to tend Nicholas and Lydia while Lee took Julie to her 2 week follow-up appointment. I absolutely loved snuggling with this sweet girl! I loved this photo because of the way she was looking up at me. Made my heart melt!

 Julie is my oldest friend. We met when we were 15, and have been there for one another since then. Isn't she beautiful? She is so smart too, and a wonderful mommy! I love being in her home, with her family. It was a wonderful, relaxing weekend for me, and I look forward to going again. Maybe next time, I'll let Seth come along, to play with Nicholas!

Thanks for sharing Lydia with me, Lee & Jules. IU friend!