Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for this year. My blessings have been overflowing and abundant. This past year has been one of the most difficult years we have had to face. I am thankful that we are happy, healthy and together. I am so thankful for the life I have and the people I have to share it with. I am looking forward to spending the holiday with my extended family. I have so many fond memories of Thanksgivings at my Aunt Marilyn's house. There were always about 30-35 people, football on tv and a football game going on in the backyard. I can remember her fancy china and the smell of coffee and pumpkin pie. Times have changed and our family has gotten bigger. Some of us have started our own Thanksgiving traditions with the start of new families. We now gather at my Mom's house, the numbers have dwindled down to 15-20. There might be football on the tv, but we're too old for the backyard game! There is always plenty of coffee and pumpkin pie after our delicious Turkey dinner but, we've traded in the fancy china for pretty Thanksgiving paper plates! I can't forget about the traditional Macy's Day parade. My grandmother watched every minute of it and would discuss all the beautiful floats and balloons with us over dinner. I just love Thanksgiving.

My house is full of excitement as the holidays arrive. My children are ready to burst they are so anxious to decorate for Christmas. I just love the magic that little children bring to the season. Their eyes light up and their hearts are so full of joy. Ryan-5 is obsessed with Charlie Brown. He watches the DVD's over and over. Both Grandma's can't resist any decoration that is Charlie Brown related. We have 3 inflatable Snoopy's for the yard, one set of peanuts gang characters skating that light up a pathway, a replica of the Charlie Brown Christmas tree and a replica of snoopy's house decorated for Christmas that plays music. It is a tradition of mine to decorate the day after Thanksgiving and into the weekend. Ashlyn-15 has promised to take Ryan-5 outside to lay on a blanket and drink hot chocolate with candy canes and just gaze at our yard decorations. Ryan-5 is calling it his Christmas party with Ashwyn (that is how he pronounces her name, it used to be Afwin so it is starting to form correctly!). I can't wait to decorate and really get into the holiday spirit.

My holiday spirit will get a jump start on Black Friday. It is a tradition for my Mom and I to hit the stores the day after Thanksgiving. We never go before 7 am ( we're not that crazy to get up at 4 am ) and we never go for anything in particular. We just like to get a little shopping done, eat a nice breakfast somewhere and put ourselves in the Christmas mood. Not that my Mom needs any help in the Christmas Spirit department. She has always been crazy about Christmas.

I am anticipating a wonderful memorable Thanksgiving and Holiday weekend with my family. I can almost taste the turkey and smell the pumpkin pie and coffee!

So very Thankful,
Maureen