A Thanksgiving to Remember

Since Mat and I married we have had the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving in many different ways.  From visits to our parents and grandparents, to cooking my first Thanksgiving meal and eating outdoors on our patio in Key West, to visiting and eating with friends in FL, traveling from FL to St. Louis, hosting in Lakeland for my family, and hosting in Dubuque for either Mat's family or my family.  LOTS of great memories made so far!  This year was definitely quite different, but also definitely quite special and one I'm sure that we'll always remember.  It was spent at home just the three of us.  Because both our families plan to visit soon when the baby arrives, no one came to Dubuque, and because we're quite far along in the pungency, we weren't traveling anywhere.  It seemed quite perfect though.  I know I was desperately in need of some quiet low key family time, and that's exactly what we had.  I even took the easy way out and ordered our Thanksgiving meal.  I don't know if it's because I didn't have to cook it or because I'm 8 1/2 months pregnant and always hungry, but it was one of the best Thanksgiving meals ever!!!  Hy-Vee did a good job.  :)  I made macaroni and cheese and pumpkin cake and Hy-Vee made the rest:  turkey breast, gravy, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, rolls, and stuffing.  Mmmm  mmm!  

Our family time was spread out over several days though and began with MJ's first big show.  We took him to see Sesame Street Live!  Unfortunately, he was a little under the weather, but he still did quite well.  He was in awe of Elmo especially and anytime Elmo left the stage, he'd ask "Elmo??"  I have vague, but fun memories of attending SSL as a kid myself and had been looking forward to sharing this with MJ! 

Watching the characters take the stage!

On Thanksgiving morning we woke up and made cinnamon rolls and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Watching the parade is by far my favorite childhood Thanksgiving memory.  I love that MJ is now able to watch it and gets excited seeing the big floats on TV. 

Then, it was time to start doing the little cooking I needed to do.  MJ helped me make the pumpkin cake.  He loves to help mommy cook!  I realize I look quite large and quite scary (pre shower), but this pic of him helping me was too cute not to share.  ;)



Then, it was time for MJ to help me set the table.  He had fun scattering leaves all over the table...also known as throwing them everywhere and making a big mess (he's getting quite good at this skill)!



All cleaned up and ready to celebrate Thanksgiving with my boys.  35 weeks pregnant with the ultimate blessing!



After our Thanksgiving lunch, MJ took a nap and Mat cleaned up the entire kitchen while I rested on the couch and then even took a little nap myself.  Ahhh, pure bliss! 

I wish there were more holidays like Thanksgiving.  It often gets overlooked in the hustle and bustle from Halloween to Christmas, but there's just something so special about taking the time to pause and truly recognize the things in your life you're so thankful for.  I think having the quiet time at home made this even easier this year.  I wasn't as worried about if my house was clean or how my food turned out, but truly focused in on the upcoming miracle we are expecting, our healthy growing toddler, a husband who loves me and MJ, our incredible families, and great circle of friends. 



On Thanksgiving night we went to the drive through light display in Dubuque.  MJ LOVED it this year!!  The last couple years he hasn't seemed too impressed by it one way or the other but this year he was very vocal.  "More lights, more lights" he says constantly.  We even drove around trying to find some homes decorated already and he would get so excited with each and every one. 

I couldn't help but share this one because we were dying laughing when we saw it.  It looked like it was straight out of Clark Griswold's yard from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...

After lights it was home for bath time and then we snuggled in bed together and watched Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving.  Not sure why I thought it would be a good idea to give MJ a big bowl of popcorn in my bed.  Hellllllo salt in my sheets!!!  It was cute watching him enjoy it though.  









The day after Thanksgiving, Dubuque has a cute event downtown just a short ways from our house.  The sidewalks are all lit with luminaries and Santa and Mrs. Claus descend down the 4th Street Elevator (basically like a little street car) and make their grand appearance in Dubuque.  MJ's reaction was absolutely priceless and totally worth it!  We hadn't been to this event before, but last year MJ was completely terrified of Santa.  This year he still says "noooo" when we ask if he wants to sit on Santa's lap, but seeing and touching Santa seem to be a-okay with him this year. 



Daddy and MJ waiting for Santa to make his big appearance

Not the best picture, but the light up the hill right before Santa comes down.  He rides down in the elevator.  For those of you that haven't been to Dubuqe before, the 4th street elevator is in the heart of Dubuque's "Cable Car Square" shopping area.  It's an attraction for tourists to ride up and down the hill.  Gotta love small town attractions!  :)

Santa makes his way through the crowd then and greets some of the children.  He made his way right by MJ and reached out his gloved hand to shake MJ's.  Not sure I've ever seen the kid so excited.  He kept telling us "Ho Ho shake MJ hand!"  Adorable!! 

Once we got in the car, I got him to tell us what happened.  Might be my favorite video ever...



Such a great weekend, and it's not even over yet.  Oh, and one other big highlight?!  The nursery has been painted and mostly all put together!  Woo hoo!!