December 14, 2014

Thankful


Wow, what a year this has been! We have so much to be thankful for - welcoming Fisher into our family, our new home, our health, careers, friends, and family. Having the support of family (ahem, Nana) during such a challenging year was beyond what we could have ever dreamt of. It really DOES take a village to raise these stinkers!

Speaking of family, we were lucky enough to host Thanksgiving this year. John, Nancy, Charlie, and Billy Fisk stayed with us, and Grammy and Papa Jack stayed in an adorable VRBO home just two doors up from us. To say that the week together was memorable is an understatement. Everyone seemed nervous that I was hosting my first (family) Thanksgiving for 18 people, but I knew all along that it would go swimmingly with all of the hands on deck. Such a special week!

I honestly don't know where to start to explain the week, so I hope that photos will do it justice:


Eleanor's special Thanksgiving Feast at school. How amazing to have 4 generations sitting at that preschool table!

Billy and Fish playing at the park

Pit stop at the neighborhood vet for a photo op.

Giant gorilla in Clarksville!

These crazy Seattle cousins braved our 58 degree pool - insisted on a swim during their Austin visit. Brrrrr!

Fish loves his Grammy!

Ventured out to the local soda fountain for treats.

Dapper young men - Charlie and Billy - ready for Thanksgiving dinner.

Yay for cousins!

Plaids prepping dinner - Justin and Aunt Nancy

The big boy cousins were so sweet with Eleanor and Fisher all week.

Nana and her handsome grandson.

More Grammy love!

Grammy spent the week with her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. She didn't have any fun at all;( Poor thing.
Family boating outing on Town Lake.


Who can resist the old fashioned candy shop on South Congress?!

Grammy with our loot.

Thanksgiving dinner prep. I look prego in this pic - I can assure you I am NOT.

A table fit for a feast

Gluttony ensues.
Zilker Zephyr action

Lots of park time in Austin when it's in the 70s in November.

Great Aunt Sally, Great Uncle Jim, and Cousin Dave came for a quick visit. Dave was visiting from St. Louis... great to catch up!

South Congress must



Rock Chalk action at Allen's Boots.

Hooray, we found a tree!

Had to up our Christams tree game this year now that we have vaulted ceilings. This 10' beauty before making it into the house.

Our little elf decorating the tree. The purple scarf on her back is her Elsa cape. She looked at me very seriously and said, "Mom, I'm not a super hero, I'm Elsa."

Daddy tops the tree.









Peek-a-boo!


A little out of order... but the week before Thanksgiving, we went to Playa del Carmen with The Dreilings. It was a fun and relaxing vacation. While I adore my kids, it was a much needed adult week. Not many pics because we were in the relaxing/phoneless zone, but here are a few:

Primera cerveza sin ninos!

El Taj, our condo for the week... absolute perfection.
Over 20 years of friendship standing here - Justin and Jeff Dreiling.

Not a bad place to park it each day.

Wonderful travel companions for the week.




Meanwhile, Aunt Kiki is holding down the fort back in Austin with the two munchkins... Thanks, Kiki!