Happy Thanksgiving

This year's Thanksgiving was really special to me for a couple of reasons.  First of all, Greg and I hosted at our house.  And second, I got to use my Granny's heirloom china for the very first time.  As I said in the last post, I had spent weeks planning each little detail and I was so excited that it all came together so nicely.  Dennis, Janet, Ryan, Cindy, and Jillian were all there with us and the ladies were an immense help in the kitchen.  Whew, I couldn't have pulled it off without them!  Unfortunately, I didn't get to spend the holiday with my side of the family (Mom in Missouri with my brother and Dad working) but I had them all in my thoughts the entire time.  The food was delicious and everyone was in a very festive mood.  Who could ask for anything more?

I realize there are a boatload of food pictures here.  I'm sorry.  I was really excited:

 This is baked Brie with molasses and balsamic vinaigrette and almonds on top.  DE.  LISH.

 And here's the recipe in case that tickled your fancy:

 The grown-up table...

 and the kid table...

After we let our food digest a little, we headed over to Mimi's house to take some pictures of Jillian for their Christmas card.  I was so honored that Cindy asked me to do it and of course, Jillian was adorable!  I'll show a couple that didn't make the final cut but were still just as cute as could be!

So, now it's on to Christmas (my absolute favorite) and Sunday afternoon was spent putting Christmas lights on the house and decorating the tree.  Nicholas was squealing...SQUEALING...as he watched me pull all the Christmas trimmings out of the storage boxes.  This was the first year that he was able to actually help me and that boy was completely thrilled about it.  He was the cutest thing in the world, pulling out the ornaments with very gentle hands and picking just the right spot on the tree for them.  Santa Claus also dispatched his elf scout to our house yesterday while Nicholas was taking his nap so hopefully there will be lots of good behavior for him to report to Santa each night. I couldn't stop smiling as I watched him looking up at that little elf sitting curiously on the mantle, shyly telling him what he wanted for Christmas.  We haven't come up with the perfect name for him yet but we'll find a goodie, I'm sure.   This week is pretty full with a trip to the mall to visit Santa and also the Christmas parade in downtown Edmond, so check back for an update soon.  Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the fun is just getting started!!

(I have to admit that I spent most of the day yesterday in tears.  It seemed like everytime I turned around I was tearing up about something and getting all mushy over the littlest things.  I was just so happy to have been able to share the holiday with family and take a little time to relish in life's blessings.  My son is amazing and growing faster than I'd like sometimes and every day that passes brings more happiness to my life.  I think it really hit me when he was helping me decorate the house for Christmas and I realized that I was standing right in the middle of one of those moments you dream about your whole life.  The happiness I felt at that realization was palpable.  I may be a little sappy sometimes but I will never be sorry for that.  I will proudly wear my heart on my sleeve and carry a big box of kleenex at all times.)