Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thanksgiving. Show all posts
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Thanksgiving Daily
I appreciate the message of this video: the goal to "live in Thanksgiving daily"
by paying attention to the simple everyday beauties and people around us.
Yesterday I took the time to notice the simple beauties of our backyard and photograph the kids' simple joys of playing in the perfect Autumn weather. I'm glad I have these happy moments on camera, especially since childhood comes and goes so quickly. I hope I remember the sound of the kid's giggles when they are grown! Likewise, walking around our backyard intent on noticing the beauty inherent in the changing of seasons helped me recognize the stability and peacefulness of nature.
I hope you smile at the photo montage below and find the time in your busy lives to slow down
and express gratitude for simple, joyful moments.
The leaves are finally changing colors in Texas. The kids filled a bucket with varied shades of red, orange, green, and yellow leaves. You can see part of what's left of our garden under the tree.
Simon wanted to pull a carrot from the garden bed.
He ate that entire carrot when we went inside!
He pulled the last mini pumpkin from the vine. The vine died in our frost last week. Hopefully we get a couple more zucchinis from the vine in the top corner before it dies.
This is our pecan tree. There are still pecan shells hanging onto the branches. And beautiful clouds above!
I am grateful we have a playground in our backyard.
The colors on the tiny peach trees were so pretty. Even little trees undergo Autumn's beautiful transformation.
I took this picture to capture the colors of the Bradford pear tree under the canopy of the Pecan tree. I was impressed at the colors in this photo, without using photoshop or a filter. Thank you camera! (And nature)
I am glad these two are good friends. He is a helpful big brother! This moment happened without my prodding as a mom. He offered to catch her on his own, and she happily obliged.
Those happy eyes.
And her infectious smile.
Happy simple moments with the kids and nature. What a wonderful afternoon.
Gratitude? Check.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
Thanksgiving 2016
I can't believe Thanksgiving has already come and gone! Where does the time go? We were in Iowa and had a great time with family and friends. Here are some fun pictures from our long weekend. :)
Lots of good Bubble Guppies watching with Papa! And my parents scary cat Willy that tries to kill of us...
Bradley grabbed this cordless phone and said "Hello? School Bus? Watch TV?" I died laughing!
Bradley requested "double hugs" from Papa and Grandma! :)
Train ride! He had to go twice.
Hanging out with Great Papa and Great Gram.
Thanksgiving Day! I posted on Instagram about my love for all the plaids for holidays.
Bradley loved the rocking horses at Thanksgiving! :)
Post turkey dinner snacks bath time with all the cousins! :) Lots of boys in our crew and somehow we got a pic with no body parts! :)
Baby Connor got out so the boys could really let the bubbles get big!
Then we all changed into our elf jammies!
Not ready...
As ready as we will be!
I always find good treasures at my parents house. Check out all of my old Sing Along Songs! Lots of good memories with friends watching these. :)
And lots of Disney classics!
Attacking Papa!
Now attacking Uncle Natey!
Concon loved the box of duplos. :)
Park time! Busted Uncle Jon on his phone.
Big Papa hugs.
Time to go home. Bradley was very distraught that I wouldn't give him Bubble Guppies because it was nap time. (For fellow paci discussers he gets his paci for bedtime and naps still). :)
We always love seeing the cousins and can't wait to see them super soon! I hope everyone had a great holiday!
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Monday, May 22, 2017
Thanksgiving 2010
We had a great Thanksgiving this year.
Every year, we have the same Thanksgiving plans.
For the past 45 years, Kevin's family has gone to Golden Gate Fields on Thanksgiving to watch the horse races.
Here is part of our group at the races!
For the past 45 years, Kevin's family has gone to Golden Gate Fields on Thanksgiving to watch the horse races.
Here is part of our group at the races!
We had 10 more people in our group, this is just Kevin's immediate family (parents, siblings & their kids!)The girls were both excited about the races this year & couldn't wait to see the horses!
Kevin let Kate pick the horses to bet on, here she is holding her ticket.
Cheering on the horse, hoping that #3 wins.
Claire just hanging out:
Claire loved cheering on the horses....well really, she just loved having an excuse to yell & be loud! :)
Claire with 2 of her cousins, Alexis & Megan:
Megan finally getting Claire to smile.
We had a really good view of the track from our box:
Golden Gate Fields is beautiful:
The kids were getting restless inside, so we took them down to the track to get a closer look at the horses:
It was COLD out there! We have had a cold streak the last few days. Brrr!When you are outside, you are really close to the track. I didn't even use my zoom lens on this shot!
After the races, we headed to my parents for Thanksgiving dinner!
Can you guess who picked out their Thanksgiving outfits? The color should give it away!Yep, Kate picked them out.
Aren't you proud of me for buying more purple clothes?
We attempted a family picture, but Kate wasn't cooperating. *sigh*
We had a delicious meal at my parents house (I didn't take any pictures of the food or during dinner) but my mom cooks an amazing Thanksgiving meal! Thanks Mom!Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebrating with loved ones!
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Thanksgiving 2013
We had a great Thanksgiving this year.
It truly is one of my favorite days.
A day all about food, spending time with family & watching football?
Yes, please.
A day all about food, spending time with family & watching football?
Yes, please.
Dress (got mine a few years ago at Loft, but similar one HERE)
Boots {HERE} Denim Jacket {HERE} Necklace {Stella & Dot}
Me & Luke. Glad he was a happy guy...he is still waking up a ton at night because of those darn teeth he is getting.
Luke sweater {HERE}
I am kind of obsessed with the leaves on our Japanese Maple:
Kev & the kiddos:
Claire's skirt {They are out of cream, but still have black & pink HERE} Sweater {HERE}
Kate's dress {HERE}
The girls shoes {HERE}
Our annual Thanksgiving tradition is to head to Golden Gate Fields to see the horse races.
One of my favorite things is the breakfast we have in the Turf Club (where we watch the races)
I love watching the races & also watching football on my mini TV :)
I love their Eggs Benedict. And bacon & sausage. I eat 2 meals on Thanksgiving. This brunch & then dinner. YUM.
You gotta kick off the races with a Bloody Mary.
This kid kept me busy. He is on the go!
Our whole family on Kevin's side. Love these people.
An "attempt" at getting a pic of all 3 of my kids. #fail
Last year on Thanksgiving....Luke was only 3 months old. 
Kevin's grandparents started this tradition of going to the horse races on Thanksgiving about 50 years ago. So much fun!
Every Thanksgiving, they have a race in their honor. This year it was the 5th race.
So, for the 5th race, we got to go down to the race tracks & watch the horses up close.
We get to be almost *too* close to the race tracks.
Lucky kids.
Cousins!
After the races, we headed to my parents house for dinner & to watch more football.
My mom's table:
My dad Jimmy carving the bird.
So much good food.
And, good wine (my brother in law's wine!)
Luke's first "real" Thanksgiving meal:
My younger sister spend Thanksgiving with her husband's side of the family, and her little guy Jack accicendtly face timed us from his car seat when they were driving home. Hysterical.
Dessert was Pumpkin Cheesecake. Recipe {HERE}
It was a wonderful & relaxing Thanksgiving spent eating good food and spending time with both of our families. Feeling very thankful this holiday season.
Do you have any fun Thanksgiving traditions?
(Or random ones like us going to the horse races?)
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving as well!
Did you know today is Giving Tuesday?
Friday was Black Friday, Saturday was Small Business Saturday, yesterday was Cyber Monday and today is Giving Tuesday.
Here are some organizations that I trust and that we give to:
Charity:Water - a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations fund water projects.
Heifer Project (donate an animal to give a family a source of food for a year. A few years ago, one of my students donated a goat in my name.Best Christmas present from a student. EVER.Compassion International - sponsor a kid for $42 a month to give them food, shelter, education, health care and the opportunity to learn about Jesus in a neighborhood church program.Adopt a Family, Feed the homeless,Make a Blessed to Bless Bag,Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child,Donate cans to a Food Bank
Do Something. Give Something.
I love starting off the Advent Season giving.
It's not about the gifts (although those are fun).
It's about the birth of Christ.
Make this CHRISTmas season meaningful!
What organizations do you give to? Would love to hear more ideas!
Did you know today is Giving Tuesday?
Friday was Black Friday, Saturday was Small Business Saturday, yesterday was Cyber Monday and today is Giving Tuesday.
Here are some organizations that I trust and that we give to:
Charity:Water - a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. 100% of public donations fund water projects.
Heifer Project (donate an animal to give a family a source of food for a year. A few years ago, one of my students donated a goat in my name.Best Christmas present from a student. EVER.Compassion International - sponsor a kid for $42 a month to give them food, shelter, education, health care and the opportunity to learn about Jesus in a neighborhood church program.Adopt a Family, Feed the homeless,Make a Blessed to Bless Bag,Angel Tree, Operation Christmas Child,Donate cans to a Food Bank
Do Something. Give Something.
I love starting off the Advent Season giving.
It's not about the gifts (although those are fun).
It's about the birth of Christ.
Make this CHRISTmas season meaningful!
What organizations do you give to? Would love to hear more ideas!
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