Thanksgiving 2015

This year's Thanksgiving was extra special to us as it was our first Thanksgiving in our house.   We hosted this year and if I don't mind saying so myself, we did pretty well!   Everything came out amazing.

4 Generations with my Grandmother on the left, and my mother in the center 

"Put the camera down and come eat!"

Gabrielle hanging out and chatting with Nanny Olive and Nanny

Gabrielle wasted no time once the tryptophan hit everyone else

Gabrielle's favorite past time is climbing stairs

Selfies with Nanny

After giving up on escaping to the stair case, Gabrielle settled on playing with her toys

Being silly with Daddy

Family (minus Samantha)

Thanksgiving 2013

A very Happy Thanksgiving to you!  I hope to all who read this had a great holiday with your friends and family.  We had a great week leading up to the big day and spending some time with my sister in law and nephew home here followed by an awesome weekend following with Jeremy's family up in Maine.

Here's a few photos from our week/weekend of fun!

A stroll in the Mall (surprisingly not too much traffic!)

My sister in law kidnapped Samantha for an overnight sleepover.  So Daddy and I took Sarah out to see Disney's new movie, "Frozen".

Thanksgiving Night at Samantha & Sarah's aunt and uncle's home in Maine.  They recently bought a very large rabbit named "Sammy" which is sitting in Sarah's lap.  

(This was taken with a cell phone...sorry about the quality!)

There's always time for skating to shed off those pounds of turkey we ate.

I may be a little bit biased, but I think she's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen...

next to her sister of course ;)

Thanksgiving 2012

For Thanksgiving this year, we decided to take a little drive for some turkey.  We took a drive to Pittsburgh to visit Jeremy's brother and his wife and family.  We left last Tuesday night at 10:30pm and drove all night.  We stopped for breakfast about 6am on Wedesday morning and arrived at our destination at about lunch time on Wednesday.

I've heard horror stories of parents who road trip with their young children and their response is, "Never again will I do that".  Jeremy and I were so fortunate and had a long drive, but it was overall a very pleasant drive.  I found lots of fun things on Pinterest.  I had an extra packed iPod full of good tunes.  We had a plethora of entertainment, and didn't even have to invest in a portable DVD player.  Seriously, we would totally do another road trip.

Sarah being silly as we were packing and getting ready to leave Massachusetts.

Jeremy printed off an 11 X 14 poster of the route of our trip to prevent any "Are we there yet?"   We could show the girls exactly where we were at that moment.

Lamar, Pennsylvania - About 8 hours into the trip.

While waiting for the red light, Samantha shrieked from the backseat, "Daddy!  Look!"

Samantha, Sarah and their cousins being giggly and having a good time.

Tots and Chicken Nuggets 2012

Yesterday, Sarah's preschool class celebrated their "Potlatch Meal".  Each of the children were asked to bring something to contribute.  Sarah contributed a loaf of corn bread.  Others brought tons of yummy things too.

Sarah feasting with her classmates.



No matter what angle, her smile is just beautiful and lights up a room.

Sarah and her classmates let the Mommies and the Daddies know what they are grateful for.

And we are just as grateful for you sweetheart.

Thanksgiving 2011

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving at our home with my Mother and Father and Brother. It was quite relaxing...even before the tryptophan settled into our blood stream.

This year, we ate turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, squash and turnip. Plus rolls and homemade cranberry sauce. Afterwards, we had homemade apple pie and a pumpkin spice log from Russo's bakery. (Let me just say that anything from Russo's bakery is just plain yummy).

Here are some of my favorite photos from the day:

The Madore-ables got their aprons on and were anxious to help!

While the turkey cooked in the oven, Daddy played Angry Birds with Sarah

The Madore-ables were very entertained by the squirrels that were running around in the front yard.

In fact, they were laughing!

Tots And Chicken Nuggets 2011

This past Monday, Samantha's pre-school class put together a "Thanksgiving Potlatch" feast. It consisted of several yummy goodies: stuffing, popcorn, corn muffins, cranberry sauce, and chicken nuggets.

Samantha's class compiled a list of what they were grateful for:

And once the meal started, the class transformed from their birth names, to their Native American names. Samantha was "Princess Shooting Star". She completed her wardrobe with pasta and Fruit Loops (a.k.a Wampum) necklaces plus feathered headdresses and vests.

On This Day Of Thanks

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am truly blessed.

• I'm very grateful for my Madore-ables. They're healthy, happy, and they are just so smart.



• I'm very greatful for my husband. He works so hard, and doesn't take much time for himself just so we can have what we need. I'm also greatful for the fact that he helps me be a better person.



• I'm greatful for my parents for allowing us to rent their house so we have a safe neighborhood to live in and the girls can play.



• I'm greatful for the jobs that I have. Not many people can say that they enjoy their job much less than have multiple to support themselves and their families. They allow me to stay home during the day with the Madore-ables and then I head into work. They allow me to witness life's amazing moments that pass by so quickly. They all allow me to earn a living.



• I'm greatful that my Mom can make it possible to watch the Madore-ables from the time I leave to go to work and Jeremy comes home



• I'm greatful for my friends...old and new.

And last but most certainly not least:

• I'm so greatful for this wonderful, amazing, life that is always full of adventures. Always full of hugs and kisses. Always full of smiles. Always full of chaos and always full of snuggles. I don't know what I did in life to get to where I am today, but I certainly am thankful everyday, but especially today.

So, on this day of thanks, I hope you take a moment or two in between passing the turkey and the mash potatoes and focus on the things that you do have in your life. Let yourself be surrounded by your friends and loved ones and celebrate!

H A P P Y T H A N K S G I V I N G!!!!

(I am especially greatful for our Madore-ables)

Thanksgiving 2010

This year, Jeremy, the Madore-ables and I celebrated Thanksgiving with my sister-in-law Jessica, and her fiancee Paul at his house in Orr's Island, Maine. Paul and Jessica really out did themselves by preparing us a fantastic meal for all of us. Amazing job as always you two :)

We had a very relaxing morning and while we were getting things ready, the Madore-ables played with their cousin Mia (who was very nice to share her toys with my girls). We ate, and after dishes were washed dessert was brought out and we listened to Jeremy's younger brothers jam on their guitar and mandolin playing songs for the Madore-ables. I think we sang every verse for Old MacDonald there ever was.

We of course documented our time on the island with photographs. (Would we do it any other way?)

This is Paul's living room...there's a view of the ocean from mostly every window in this house

Paul felt that it was necessary to make sure we left extra plump, so not only did he create the meal, but he also made hors d'oeuvres too.

Mashed Potatoes

Gravy

Carrots & Brussels Sprouts

Now I Can Officially Say I've Eaten A Chestnut...Not Too Bad. They Taste Like Yams.

How Many People Does It Take To Put A Table Together?

Sarah Sitting In the Courtyard Of The Castle...Talk About Storming The Castle Sarah!

Sarah Was Incredibly Giggly That Morning

Playing With Daddy

Daddy Singing "You Are My Sunshine"

Daddy Blowing Raspberries Into Sarah's Feet...Maybe This Is Why Sarah Was Extra Giggly

Samantha Listening To the Music

Sarah With Her Grand-Mamere (Jeremy's Grandmother)

Jeremy's Youngest Brother, Andre



I Think We Were Singing Acoustic Versions Of "The Itsy Bitsy Spider"

I'm grateful for many things in my life...

I'm Very Grateful For This Madore-able

And I'm Grateful For This Madore-able

Lots Of Room For Love In This Family

Happy Thanksgiving everybody!!