Thanksgiving

We love Thanksgiving...it's a time to come together with family, have good food and laughs, enjoy the last bit of mild weather fall has to offer and not worry about the chaos that comes with preparing and hauling presents all over. This year, like every year, have a LOT to be thankful for... Each other, our health and our family's health, warm homes to visit, jobs and a new baby on the way. So many blessings!!!

It was a big year for Emilia at my Nonno and Nonna's house... She found the chick egg filled with M&M's that lives in the closet :) This little chick has been around through the whole childhood of me and my cousins. It's fun too watch Emilia light up at the site of it.

Jeff was REALLY full after our feast...and his vision needed a little help...

On Saturday morning, we headed to Alexandria for a Pearson family gathering. It was going to be our first meeting of Mike and Karen's beautiful new baby girl, Ella Grace. To say that Emilia LOVED Ella would be a HUGE understatement. She couldn't get enough of her and barely wanted to let anyone else hold her. She shushed her when she fussed, patted her back and gave her lots of baby talk. It was SO fun to see the "sister-in-training"!

Emilia was pretty smitten with Ella's big brother too..."her cousin Ben":) Jeff and I caught the two of them playing quietly by themselves in the bedroom. Ben was playing with some shark teeth, holding them up to his face and acting scary while Emilia watched, wide eyed.

Here's a video of them being their cute little toddler selves :)

It was hard to slow down the all the kids for a picture, but somehow, we made it happen! Here they all are, rounded up on steps.

First some smiles and funny faces...

Then a big group hug :)

On Sunday, we headed into town to visit Grandma Beth. She is doing just great recovering from a broken leg and knee surgery (again...SO THANKFUL!). Emilia found fun in it all as well...getting rides up and down the hallway on Grandma's walker from Papa.

Our holiday's always involve lots of traveling, which can be pretty tiring, but we're always happy to arrive at our destinations. Family is what makes the holiday special :) Plus, we always manage to get some fun videos of the miss in the car :) Here she is talking about being "sassy."

I do have to admit that we're quickly breaking down and feeling like a portable DVD player to occupy Emilia may be a MUST! Especially since it gets dark at 5pm and reading books or coloring are no longer options... Maybe Santa will come through...