Thanksgiving Weekend Blessings

Thanksgiving weekend in itself was a wonderful blessing:  five days straight off work for me and off school for Luke.  This was our first five day break together, without any travels/vacation planns, since June!  I just love breaks from school with our boy:)  We started a list of things we wanted to do, fun stuff, over the Thanksgiving break (highlighted in bold below).  We were so blessed to be able to do them all!

Wednesday was a preparation day for Thanksgiving at our house with the Pickers on Thursday.  We ran a few errands and Luke got to have a sleepover at Papa and Gma Picker's Wednesday night.

First thing Thursday morning, we met Audra, Ethan, Luke, and Papa Kerry at Soldier's Field to run the Gobble Wobble 5K.  The younger boys ran the kids' 1K around the park first then headed home with Papa Kerry.  Audra, Brent, and I ran the 5K.  It was a great way to start Thanksgiving supporting Salvation Army and getting some exercise before the feast (even if it was quite chilly).  We spent the rest of the day with all of the Pickers eating and relaxing.

Ready for their 1K!

Friday, we were able to coordinate a trip to the pool with the Picker cousins.  The kids, all but Annie, and the parents, all but Brent, had a great time in the nice warm pool at the RAC.

Pool Time!

The 4 bigger cousins

Annalise proud to be swimming on her own with her life jacket

Nora had fun "counting" with us, then
"jumping" in holding our hands:)

Troy, Alaina, and Audra

Friday night Luke, Mekhi, and I saw Frozen, a very cute Disney movie released this week.  The boys loved the snowman character and shared a lot of giggles:)

Mekhi & Luke in matching coats at Frozen

Saturday was a day of rest after a busy few days.  In the evening, we brought Luke to his choice for dinner:  Cici's Pizza, then the kids hung at Papa & Gma Picker's while Brent and I caught The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

Sunday we spent the day with Beckmanns visiting the Festival of Trees, which has become a Thanksgiving weekend tradition with Papa and Gma, sharing a Thanksgiving meal, and playing games.  Nora loved the Festival of Trees, taking in all of the lights, sights, and people.  She pointed and chattered away:)  

Festival of Trees

How has Luke gotten SO long???

Best attempt at a pic together

A few of the out take pics:
Nora was slapping Luke on the head...
Luke was laughing, not crying as it looks...
nice...

We even got an action shot of her wind up...
though it looks like she was trying to hit me...
she did not...
that girl!

Tonight we came home and the kids kicked off their Twelve Days of Christmas gifts from Gma Ruth.  Each year Ruth gives each of the grand kids 12 gifts, one to open every other day from December 1-24.  She starts the tradition with a letter to the kids and a gift on the first day.  The grand kids all love the tradition.  I'll be posting pics and updates on Facebook in the 2013 12 Days of Christmas album if you care to follow the fun:)

My hope is that everyone reading this enjoyed their Thanksgiving holiday with the ones they love as we were blessed to do:)