Thanksgiving

We started the Thanksgiving holiday with something I've always wanted to do...the Turkey Trot! It is an 8K put on by the Ridgewood Shopping Center up the road, and the race goes right by our house! We have always been in Hickory on Thanksgiving or I've been pregnant so this was my big chance to do the race.

My two tiniest people were up to see me off.. 

The race went really well, and I had my best time yet. It was a festive race with people all over the neighborhoods cheering for the racers who were decked out in turkey outfits, tutus, you name it. I loved running by our house where the kids shouted at me and waving to other neighbors. My legs were almost numb by the end (pretty cold morning), but I was so glad I did the race.

We went to lunch over at the Forks for Thanksgiving meal #1. Donna always makes an amazing spread.

Luke knows you're supposed to throw the football on Thanksgiving day...

Donna made the kids a special turkey dessert...

and I made two traditional pies. My fave!

We had a great meal and a lot of fun together!

Then it was off to Hickory. Time to hit the road and get a little snooze in...

We went straight to Paul and Pat's for Thanksgiving #2. The kids got their own table, and crushed the yeast rolls. We don't see this side of the family but once a year, so it was fun to see all the cousins and catch up with everybody. The surprising thing that happened though was that everyone decided to end this celebration. Turns out it's hard to prepare a meal and find space to feed 28 people! The family has just grown so big over the years. They want to have a family reunion every year so we can still see each other, but find a time to do it other than Thanksgiving. It makes me a little sad to change this tradition, but also excited to see what new tradition we can build. 

Back at Dad and Heather's, the cold night and the lit up house made it easy to get excited about the next holiday right around the corner...

 

Apparently last year Collins made the comment to them, "Why are you not decorated for Christmas yet??" so they scrambled to make sure they were decorated this year!

 

Over to Mom's for Thanksgiving #3- our final one, I promise. Good thing Thanksgiving meal is my favorite meal of the year! It was delicious of course, and little Luke had fun with Lilly (my most dog-friendly child). The sad thing that happened is that Mom had to put Zoe down the week before. She had gotten sick with a heart condition so it was hard to be at Mom's house and not see her there.

Mom surprised the girls with a Christmas dress- one to wear to the "Nutcracker" play that we had tickets to this year!

 

We had a wonderful trip to Hickory to celebrate the best holiday of the year. Now quick back to Raleigh because it was time for the Carolina/State football game and we had some visitors coming. We truly pack it in, don't we?!?