Life with Kids : The Weekend after Thanksgiving (and other things)

Wow, that was a pretty busy ~~week~~ err two weeks we had. Life has been great and we have actually been pretty busy.

Let's just talk about the Thanksgiving recap that I just know you are dying to read about, ha!

We had a great day that started off with a trip to the Doughnut Shop and now that is all Ellie wants to eat... We decided to start setting up our Christmas Tree and when we brought the stand out of the garage it was so cold that I couldn't get it open so Thomas tried and he busted it. Thankfully (get it ;)) Walmart was open to save the day and we could continue our plan to decorate the tree, although while I was at Walmart I did a little more shopping and picked up a new tree for Ellie's room. When I got back we started on the tree and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I just love our tree and it is so much fun opening up all the ornaments wrapped in tissue and remembering each one, it's like a sort of Christmas.

After a little while we got Ellie down for her nap and then I started to make our contribution to the feast, Pioneer Woman Sausage Apple Dressing. Totally not the traditional route but I have to admit that it was actually pretty good, there were random bites of the apple that was a nice surprise. While Ellie was napping we started to get ready for dinner, I even curled my hair...which lasted about 10 seconds and then Ellie woke up and it was time to go. Thomas' brother was hosting this year and it was great to have a change of venue. I have to say it was a really great night and we totally outstayed our welcome - which is always a plus with family ;)

Friday morning we woke up at the leisurely hour of 6:30am and started the water for our coffee, our coffee maker bit the dust quite a while ago so we have just been making French Press every morning and I have to tell you: I don't think I'm ever going back! and put on a show for Ellie. Then we loaded up the truck with a load for the dump (we replaced the carpet in our house and needed to get rid of all the demo) and then to Lumber Liquidators to return the unopened boxes of flooring, a stop by Lowes and we picked up this, since ours is pretty bad, and then we had lunch at BWW. Thomas and his dad went to see the new James Bond movie, so Ellie and I headed back to the farm for her nap and so I could start decorating the inside of the house for Christmas. I also did some online shopping and was able to cross one person off our list. I was also able to narrow down a time and place for our family photos!!! When Ellie woke up we headed over for dinner at the Inlaws and she had a blast just making everyone laugh - and she likes Salmon, so lets add that to the protein list along with bacon, sausage, and chicken!! When we got home we checked out a few more online sales and grabbed one more present so we are almost done shopping!

Saturday, we woke up to the babe demanding more Doughnuts (good thing we got a dozen) and then we headed out to the mall so I could grab a sample of foundation for our family pictures. And while we were there we had to check out a couple more stores so I could pick up some more holiday/Christmas inspired clothes for Ellie since I realized that we don't really have any this year and that just simply will not do, I grabbed these pants, this top, this outfit, and this outfit and I cannot wait to see how cute she is! We got home and it was time for Ellie's nap so we got her down and I finished up some more indoor decorating while Thomas headed outside and started to put up lights on the house, hands down one of my favorite parts of Christmas. When I finished up inside, I stepped outside to help untangle some strands of lights and get them up on the trees/bushes.

When Ellie woke up from her nap she hopped into the car with her Nanny and Papa and cousins and they headed to a nearby park to see some Christmas lights. Thomas and I had a mini date night and watched a little bit of P.S. I love you and dreamed of Ireland. Then we met up with his parents and Ellie for pizza for dinner!

Sunday morning we got up and had our morning coffee and Ellie had her doughnut, we watched Jingle all the Way and then it was time to get ready for our Family Photos. Our photographer was actually one of the cheerleaders I coached back in the day and it was so fun to catch up with her, I am so proud to see how well she is doing and has her own photography business!!. She is such a hard worker and so dedicated to making her clients happy, it was so COLD y'all like 29 degrees this morning while we were taking photos. I know that is crazy but we were totally bundled up in between shots, Ellie did awesome and I was bound and determined to get some family photos of us and this was the best weekend for it! I have already gotten some sneak peeks of them and I love what she captured.

After our photo session we headed to Costco to get the essentials: diapers, wipes, and Egg Nog. Then my dad came over to visit and drop off his dog, as he is headed on a vacation and we went to a tree stand to get him a tree. One day I will be able to get a real tree, but not in the near future since our sweet little Cooper pooper is allergic to pine, spruce and fir...I mean what dog is allergic to trees?? We also got the rest of the lights up on the barns and I am in love!! Bring on the Christmas.