Alright, here goes...
On Thursday morning Dallas woke up to rapidly dropping temperatures, high wind, and rain. We were registered for the 8-mile Turkey Trot, but we decided that morning not to run it, since Eli would have been miserable in the jogger while we ran. We want it to be a fun family Thanksgiving tradition, and Eli certainly wouldn't have had fun. So, sadly, we didn't run this year. We had already done several 8-mile runs in the previous weeks, though, so we still feel proud of ourselves for working up to that distance!
We ate french toast and got ready to go to Uncle Albert and Aunt Kathy's house in Justin. A perk of not running was that we got to actually look nice when we showed up versus showing up sweaty and nasty from the long run. :)
As always, being at the White's house was so much fun. It's the classic Thanksgiving there- lots of family, kids running around, tons of food, so much love and laughter and joy... it was just perfect. They even had a bounce house set up out back for all the kids. They all spent hours out there in the freezing cold while the adults all stayed inside drinking cider. :)
We went back to my parents' house for dinner with my sisters and their families, all of my cousins and their significant others, and my aunt and uncle. It was another big, wonderful meal with much-loved family, and we finished the night with crazy games, as usual. Eric and I completed the night with late-night turkey sandwiches, wine, and the Family Stone, as per our tradition.
On Friday we drove to Oklahoma to be with Eric's mom and stepdad for yet another Thanksgiving meal. It was fun to be with that whole side of the family, and Eli did so well on the long car trip. We are so thankful for wonderful families to be with during the holidays!
On Saturday morning we went to the Christmas tree farm to cut down trees with the Heinzs, another Christmas tradition. We stopped for donuts and watched the kids devour breakfast, and then it was on to the farm. Eli had been talking about this for the entire week... "BIG tractor pull us in hay wagon!" It was, as usual, such a fun time with some of our favorite people in the whole world, and the weather was perfect. It was the perfect way to kick off the Christmas season!
On Saturday my mom had the kids over for cookie decorating, though it was hard for the boys to focus because my dad had the train set up and running. :)
On Sunday we went to church, and then we dragged our exhausted-by-the-long-weekend selves back here for some much-needed time at home! Eric worked on putting lights outside, Eli took a long nap, and I spent time cooking and baking. And then we topped the day off with hot chocolate and tree decorating. 
And with that, the Christmas season begins! I hope you all had wonderful Thanksgiving weekends as well!
Park City Utah
2 years ago
