This Thanksgiving definitely goes down as a tie (with our 2013 Thanksgiving) as my favorite one yet. You may remember our 2013 Thanksgiving where we gathered both sides of our very healthy families around our homemade table in our home. That same holiday we hosted a little gender reveal to find out Baby M was a girl! So yes, very, very hard to beat all that but like I said this Thanksgiving definitely was one of our very bests!
This year Matt’s parents hosted Thanksgiving in their cabin in the mountains which was a fun, new tradition. I was a little worried (wait, no. Matt was a little worried) that it would still be too uncomfortable for me to travel one month post opp, but thankfully we didn’t let that keep us home. Right before we jumped on the road I had an expander fill that was a little more painful than I had anticipated so I arrived to Thanksgiving unexpectedly hopped up on Oxycodone. Thankfully there were three extra sets of hands to help Matt and I out with the minis.
On Thanksgiving morning the kiddos were up bright and early, early, early! We spent most of the day lounging in front of the fireplace, grazing on appetizers, playing outside, watching the parade and getting ready for dinner!
How sibling photos usually go: Do you want to hold your baby brother? Okay, give him a big hug! No, don’t choke him. Wait, you’re choking him. Nope, still choking him. Cheeeeeeeeese! Take 47, got it!
Time to go outside and get some wiggles out!
I should also mention that the cabin has such a stunning view too (which makes waking up at 5 am not so bad)!
This really old swing has been passed down from generation to generation and now resides at the cabin. We have so many pictures of Caroline sitting on this swing when it was at the great grandparents house and now we will start collecting swing memories here too.
Naps and parade watching!
One of the new traditions that Matt’s
mom started this year was marking Thomas and Caroline’s height each year on an outdoor post.
Another really fun tradition she started was covering the table with a large drop cloth. Every year each person adds a little something in permanent marker. It can be artwork, a recipe, a note, whatever!
And for the centerpieces Matt’s mom hollowed out a few pumpkins and made some really pretty floral arrangements. She is seriously the most talented (house, flower, plant, holiday, etc.) decorator. Puts my tablescapes to shame!
Matt decided to go all out and draw the entire family. Good work, Matt.
Other dinner preparations included getting Donald Duck seated at the table — Caroline’s request.
And bibbed.
There was tons and tons and tons of food but I wanted to make sure I got a picture to document the cranberry sauce which was hands down my favorite food this year. Matt’s sister, Ann, made it and told us that the secret ingredient was chopped celery!!! Noted forever. Also, against doctors orders I whipped up a potato casserole as my contribution.
I just love this little video of the family giving thanks to God! We sure do have so much to be thankful for this year, not just the delicious food we ate. And Caroline loves it when we all hold hands and pray together. She knows not to eat until we’ve sang our little song and most of the time sings parts (or words) of it with us. And of course, she is an excellent little celebrator at the end of the prayer.
Shout out to Matt for building one heck of a seat cushion tri-pod to document our 2015 family Thanksgiving!
Previous Thanksgivings
2014 Thanksgiving
2013 Thanksgiving
2012 Thanksgiving
So glad to see you got to celebrate with family and friends. You look amazing!!! The pictures are all so sweet, and love the prayer. Reminds me of the ones my littles sing before snack each Wednesday at Bible study. And, love the traditions your MIL started. I am thinking I may need to steal that tablecloth idea. I am hosting my children's team for brunch next week and it would be a wonderful reminder of our time together!!
So so happy that you were able to make it to the mountains and celebrate! Loving the idea of that table cloth every year!The family photo at the end is priceless!
We do the tablecloth tradition too, it's my favorite!!!! So glad you guys had a wonderful weekend!!!!
Your Thanksgiving sounds wonderful! I love those pumpkin flower arrangements, the personalize your own table cloth idea and measuring the kids. What fun traditions you have going. Hope you're feeling well and able to take it easy this week 🙂
So precious!! Love the new traditions and glad you felt good enough to make the trip!
Aww! I'm so glad you guys decided to make the trip. The pictures are perfect – particularly the family picture!! Those views are amazing!! I love the fall colors… we don't usually see that in Dallas. It feels like it just goes from green to brown/dead… though I am sitting at the courthouse this morning and I'm seeing some pretty leaves in Dealey Plaza…. it doesn't even compare to your views! 😉
looks like such a great time! im glad you are feeling a little better. xo jillian – cornflake dreams
What a beautiful holiday! So glad that you guys were all together and could just relax and enjoy. Not a bad setting either…gorgeous! Love all of the photos of the family too 🙂
Oh love love love! I'm so glad you got to get out and about for some family and holiday fun! Looks like a fabulous time! Lawter gets excited about holding hands and doing prayers too and also claps and says "YAY!" when we're finished. haha I love it so much!
What a beautiful family!! Looks like such a special time altogether! Love the Thanksgiving smocked dress!!
That view! I wouldn't mind waking up to that either!So glad that you were well enough to make the trip 🙂
What a great Thanksgiving and view!! I love your new traditions…Thanksgiving is the best family time!
I'm so glad you got to go and enjoy this Thanksgiving break my friend – little Caroline is too cute! x
love those traditions!
Great that you were still able to make the trip! Love those new traditions!!
What an amazing Thanksgiving!! So glad you were feeling well enough to go up to the cabin – it looks beautiful!! As always, Caroline and Thomas are so adorable!