Thankful

We had SUCH a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I hope you all did too. Ours was so fantastic that even though it's nice to be back in our own home, I am more than a little sad our holiday is over...=(

On Wednesday afternoon we packed up the van and headed down to my Dad and Step mom's house.

Me and my turkeys before we left...


We got to their house and set up "home" for the next few days. What wonderful hosts those two made! Seriously. I have never seen two people so genuinely thrilled to clean up Gerber Puffs off the floor and fold our laundry.

This trip came right while we are in the thick of dealing with separation anxiety. Throw in illnesses this past week and a new environment, and you've got some clingy babies. Oh and we developed Thrush again while there too. Fun stuff. But my Dad and Ann were so patient and understanding, and did an amazing job doing whatever it took to keep babies happy when I needed to be otherwise occupied...(jumping up & down, waving their hands in the air, dancing around to keep a high-chaired Luke smiling...our kids have the BEST grandparents ever!!)

We had delicious meals while we were there...even Abbey enjoyed some fruit in the morning with Daddy...
GrandDad and Lucas


It was just wonderful to be able to stay a few days and be with family. David and I are blessed with wonderful, supportive parents, and that has been SO important as we have become parents ourselves.

One of the neatest things about staying at my Dad and Ann's was getting to see them and spend time with them in the mornings and evenings. Our babies slept poorly (insert shocked expression here) while we were there and so we were up a lot during the night, and up early in the morning. On Friday morning Luke and I were up at the crack of dawn, and my Dad came out and chatted with us, and we ended up putting in a movie and just hanging out together. So fun. One of the nights after the twins went to sleep, David went to go visit a friend and I got to just sit and sip tea and talk with Dad and Ann...they are so encouraging. And last night after the twins went down, David and I went out on a date!

My Dad, Abbey, my giant thigh, and me...


For Thanksgiving Day we went over to my Mom and Step Dad's house. My Mom always puts on the best Thanksgiving! It's her favorite holiday, and from the decorations to the stuffing, it's fabulous. Three out of the four of my sisters were there, as well as my aunt and uncle, and my grandparents. We had so much fun!

Luke all dressed up for his first Thanksgiving...seriously, how handsome is my little boy????
Getting smooches from Auntie Natalie...
Playing games with Auntie Nessa...

Cheesin' with Auntie Em...

Grandma Linda is so fun! She lets us play with crinkly bags that make lots of noise...
Luke and Abbey loved their first Thanksgiving meal. They tried turkey, mashed potatoes, rolls and stuffing...

They took turns taking their afternoon naps on Daddy...
I love the way my husband looks with a sleeping baby in his arms.



Friday we went over to David's parents house for another wonderful Thanksgiving meal! More delicious food and even more family fun.

Luke and Grandma Donna...
...and with Poppa Bruce...

Luke and cousin Nastia...

I didn't get nearly as many pictures as I would have liked on Friday. Even though we had a great time, at this point in the trip both babies were overstimulated from so many new places, and their thrush was in full force and so they weren't nursing well, and so they were both fussy. Oh well, Christmas pictures are just around the corner =).


We have so very much to be thankful for this year. On Friday Donna and I were talking about what a difference a year makes. This Thanksgiving at their house entailed FIVE more kids than last year...our twins, and Tony & Risa's three little ones. Can you believe that??? We are so blessed.



And speaking of the difference in a years time, here is a picture taken last year on Thanksgiving day in my Mom's backyard...

And here we are in the exact same spot this year...


Sometimes, I think my heart may just explode...


Happy Thanksgiving all.