The Thanksgiving weekend continues to be one of my favorite five-day stretches of the year. We are generally all on vacation Wednesday - Sunday. The last few years, we've been able to meet my brother on Wednesday morning at a park, run around like maniacs to pick up Cas' cake in one of the most traffic-prone areas of town, hit the grocery store, cook, clean, and get ready to host Cas' family Wednesday night for our Thanksgiving Eve meal.
My cuties on the Sunday before Thanksgiving -
Wednesday night, the cousins gathering on the couch in a rare moment of calmness. Throughout the night they were dressed up in super-hero and princess costumes (Maya eating Thanksgiving dinner as Disney's Mulan), building legos, playing outside, fighting with foam swords, and generally burning a ton of energy throughout our house. Smiles from all but Maya -
We are so thankful to have 91-year-old Lita with us for Thanksgiving. She has been pretty sick the last few months, but we are grateful she and Cas were able to continue the tradition of celebrating their birthday together.
On Thanksgiving Day, we stopped by my mom's family's lunchtime gathering for a quick hello and a few photos -
We then made our way to New Braunfels - poor Maya had the sun in her eyes when we needed her to nap in the car, but with Collin's hat, she eventually conked out.
We arrived in time to heat our food, go for a quick deer walk, and gather for dinner and family time. My kids were often seen in the lap of cousin Jackson or their Great-Uncle Bobby.
With all the family taking turns with our kids, the long weekend gives Cas and I a chance to eat meals in a more relaxed atmosphere, play tennis and basketball, watch college football, and catch up with family members.
Friday was spent on the tennis courts followed by Advil in the late afternoon. Friday evening was Hanukkah - lighting the menorah, singing the song, eating potato latkas, and opening presents.
Showing off one of her presents - monster finger tattoos and a princess shirt -
Collin tagged along to the gym with the cousins and loved every minute of hanging out with the boys!
Saturday morning we played putt putt and hung out at the tennis camp, eventually making our way to the park. Posing with cousin Jasper -
First up at Landa Park was riding the train with Uncle Alex and Grammy -
Then we walked along the train tracks in route to feed the ducks -
Not sure where they came up with their pose, but they were committed to the hands-on-hip stance with the beautiful scenery behind them -
We arrived at the park later than normal, and the ducks must have consumed a hearty breakfast from other park goers, because most turned their beaks up at the bread we tossed to them!
Luckily we had a bread consumer in our midst to prevent it from going to waste -
They finally found some ducks to not only eat the bread, but take it out of their hands -
Maya was so proud of herself -
Last stop - the playground -
We're all fans of Uncle Alex, with Maya warming up to him more and more with each visit!
Before BBQ dinner and trivia night on Saturday, we took family pictures - this time in gingham -
The kids wouldn't cooperate when we took professional pictures earlier this fall to pose like this, but they were happy to oblige Uncle Larry, our photographer -
Waiting for Cas, the last one to jump in the shower, to join us -
Cas arrived before the sun had set - hooray!
My parents, their children and grandchildren -
We need to practice our jumping timing, but we're leaping with love after a great Thanksgiving weekend -
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