Thanksgiving 2013

(Nolan's Kindergarten handprint turkey)

We have so much to be thankful for this year...a warm home, steady jobs, closets full of clothes, too many toys, a full refrigerator, loving families, supportive friends, and health. Oh how we are thankful for God's provisions, the steady hands of surgeons, and medicines that can keep us strong and spirited even when we are living without organs we were designed to have! 

We had a fun month creating our "Thankful Books"! For about the first 20 or so days the boys had an easy time thinking of specific things that they were thankful for as we sat down to write each day. They were truly authentic and the boys came up with their ideas on their own each day. The last few days they needed to do a little verbal brainstorming as their own ideas began to dwindle. But this is always such a good exercise for kids to do to realize and understand just how blessed they truly are. I always love hearing their ideas and I have kept record of them from year to year. Such good memories for us. 

Here are their lists from day 1 to day 28...

 

Who know's what all of those little drawings are? Nolan loves to draw and sketch and he has such an imaginative mind. 

Dad, Mom, Heath, my house, 

 my school, Brooks, my bed, fruit, my cousins, homework, uncles, aunts, books, Grandma & Grandpa, Oma & Opa, friends, 

doctors, hospital, nurses, cats. 

 Daddy, Mommy, Brooksie, 

water/water bottle/swimming pools, T.V.- watching shows, my house, McDonalds, light so we can see, games, football and the Broncos, Aunties, Grandpa, Oma, my blankies, Grandma, Uncles, Opa, Arie, trips, applesauce, movies, cousins and all my family. 

Nolan did his own spelling and writing and would read back his sentences to me each day. And Heath practiced writing his name each day. 

Heath's Class performed 3 quick Thanksgiving songs for us parents before dismissal one day last week. It was so cute to watch. We didn't know what to expect from his first performance.  

I love how the one little boy tried to push Heath out of the way but Heath just squeezed his way back in and kept singing! 

But he did a really good job! He was a bit shy, but we could really hear him singing! 

He was so cute and we were so proud! 

Nolan's class has done some really cute Thanksgiving crafts. 

On his last day of school before Thanksgiving Break Nolan's whole class walked out the door wearing these and saying, "Gobble, Gobble, Gobble!" 

They were so cute! 

Turkey leg hats! 

He also made this turkey at KED. He told me it was "for the center of the table".

Nolan had the whole week of Thanksgiving off. It was nice to have him home more and to be able to relax as a family together. But he is a creature of habit and routine and thrives off of structure, so we had to deal with a bit of talking back and had to wrangle his strong will a few times as he had a bit more free time on his hands. He is happy to be back at school learning and running around with his friends again thisweek. (We successfully managed to get him out of his pajamas- he seemed to live in them around the house last week! Ha!)

Thanksgiving morning we slept in, drank coffee (check out my cute new mug from Brad & Jayne and the boys), watched The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and cuddled on the couch together doing puzzles on the ipads and reading books. It was a nice way to relax and enjoy time together. 

It was cold, but the boys still loved hanging out around the house with no shirts on. They always want to be just like their Daddy. 

After a light lunch, showers, and naps for all, we headed for a Thanksgiving Feast at Cara & Wes' house. 

I sure am thankful for these two! I feel like I can see some resemblance in them in this picture! 

Nolan and Brady had fun messing around together and eating next to each other at the long table! 

Grandma had the very important job of making the Corn Casserole and helping Brooksie eat! He was our best eater of the day! He sure can put it down these days! But he's a mess...so thanks for the help Mom! 

I got to sit by Heathy...who ate a total of 2 bites of applesauce and that's about it. I'm sure he ate something else, but he sure didn't eat much. He was having a moment. He just wanted to play. He really has matured a lot lately and we are so proud of the fun, silly, and happy guy he is. He can go with the flow and is respectful. But even at 4, he still has his crazy moments. 

Chowing down! Nolan ate a little bit of most of the foods and was a good sport in at least trying almost everything. His favorites though were the cranberry sauce, applesauce, and rolls! 

After stuffing ourselves with delicious food we spent some time relaxing and chatting and watching the kids play and then stuffing ourselves some more with yummy pies. 

I didn't really take too many pictures of the day because I was feeling tired and kind of out of it. But I was thankful to feel well enough to get out of the house to celebrate the day surrounded by so many people we love! 

(Abby's Kindergarten turkey circa 1986)