Thanksgiving, 2011

Thanksgiving, 2011 was held at our home in Burke, VA. Auntie Tracy, Uncle Eduardo, Marina, Siena, Nana, Bumpa, Uncle Patrick and Ryan arrived the day before Thanksgiving. The kids quickly made up with each other and played all around the house. It was fun to watch them interact. The adults caught up and prepared some of our Thanksgiving dishes. A highlight for me was making Butterscotch Scottie cookies with Marina.

I must give a huge thank you to Nana because she had to take over preparing Thanksgiving dinner. I bit off more than I could chew. I really wanted to give Nana and Bumpa a Thanksgiving where they did not have to do anything; however, I just could not keep up with a newborn and an ill toddler... Poor Mason had bronchitis and an ear infection.

Thanksgiving day proved to be a lot more work, which Nana, again, had to take over because I could not keep up. I do feel like we were working in the kitchen all day long. There were memorable moments during the day. My favorite: Matt and the girls went outside and raked the leaves in the front yard. It was fun to watch them from my bedroom window. I later learned that Uncle Eduardo went outside to help with the raking; however, as soon as he got outside, Matt and the girls left for a walk around the neighborhood, which left him to finish the job by himself. From my opinion, I think Matt and the girls owe one to Uncle Eduardo!

Nana, Bumpa, Auntie Tracie, Uncle Eduardo, Marina and Siena also broke away to explore Burke Lake Park. The were able to take a walk and to play on the playgrounds, which they enjoyed.

When they returned we finished preparing our Thanksgiving feast which consisted of shrimp spread, turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms (which were the hit of the evening), cranberry, ambrosia salad, asparagus with almonds, pumpkin pie and apple pie. Dinner was delicious.

Isabel slept and was so quiet most of the day. She did decide to wake up and get fussy right when it was time for dinner. She has great timing! The highlight of our dinner, however, was Matt's prayer which was a perfect reflection of the past year.

We were very blessed to be around family and to have had a wonderful Thanksgiving.