Thanksgiving

All of us! Tony and Elliot

Diva!

Em and I sledding

Don't worry, we both have medical coverage!

My special girl

Bathing Beauties!

Sweet Angel

I was asked to make the butter into a shape so why not a turkey?!

Ellie and Aunt Ingrid

Rosy cheeked Emmy after playing in the snow.

Ellie and Aunt Greta

Ellie and Mimi

Ellie and Mimi

Emerson found Great Grandma's cane...

Me and my girls

Emmy Bach!


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We just got back from spending several days at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Richland, Washington with nearly all of my family. All my mom's siblings and their families were there, my grandma, my family, and my sisters came too. And of course, mom. My grandma got to meet Elliot for the first time which was wonderful! It stinks to say this but I think this was my mom's last time traveling and I'm so thankful that I got to be a part of it. I don't think our family has ever gotten together like this because there always seems to be an excuse or it is just too difficult getting everyone together from all over Washington at the same time. I know that it meant so much to every person there to share this holiday with mom and for most of them, say goodbye, forever. My mom is so strong to be able to do this over and over with friends, family, past coworkers etc. She is letting go and none of us want her to go. It had to have been so difficult hugging her mom for the last time. My Aunt Dot and her have always had an incredible connection with each other and to see them say their goodbyes to each other is just heartbreaking as I don't think I could stand the pain of doing that with my own sisters. I hate even thinking about this! Even though this all sounds like a bummer of a time, it actually wasn't at all! We had a lot of fun (until the end of our trip when the goodbyes couldn't wait any longer). It was so great that Tony was able to join us for a couple of days before having to leave for work early Thanksgiving morning. We managed to get a huge family picture and we enjoyed spending time together playing pool, visiting, chasing my child around, watching movies, and cooking like crazy. It was warm, cozy and something that I didn't realize how badly I have missed throughout my life. I always felt like I had a very small family until this past week. It was nice. We all had so much to be thankful for. Mostly, I am thankful for all the blessing that God has giving me...Tony, my precious babies, my family, and my friends. It's funny, I just realized that there are no possesions in my thankful list. I of course am thankful for my home and cars, and my stuff, but at the end of the day, those things just don't seem to matter near as much as feeling the love from those around you and being able to give it right back!

So, enough of that!... =) Emmy did a couple of cute things this week that I would like to share (mostly because it makes me happy thinking about her and Ellie)!

Emerson ADORED my 10 year old cousin, Bailey. She followed her around EVERYWHERE and constantly asked "What are you doing Bailey?" "Where are you going Bailey?" "Come with me Bailey!". I hope that she wasn't annoyed by it but she seemed to be a really good sport. Bailey and family left a day before us and after they were gone poor Emmy wandered around the house looking for her and kept insisting that Bailey needed to come to our house or that we needed to call her on the phone.

My little family of four all slept together in one room (which can be a challenge) and I put Em in a Pack and Play so that she couldn't wander around when she should be sleeping. Well, one morning I woke up before her and got in the shower. All of a sudden, the door opens and in strolls Emerson! "Whatcha doin' Mama?" I was so surprised to see her! "How did you break free?!" I asked. She calmly responded "I climbed out." Good to know...!

Baby Elliot doesn't get near the amount of attention that Emerson gets simply because she is so easy going (when her tummy isn't hurting her). She is definitely going to be the little charmer between the two. My mom and I were just commenting today how when Ellie smiles and blinks her eyes, it's like she blinks in slow motion with her beautiful eyelashes. If you so much as look into her face and talk to her she usually rewards you with her entire face breaking into a smile. Even her nose seems to smile the way it crinkles. What a joy she is! And oh how she loves her big sister! I watch her always looking for Emmy in a room and once she finds her, her eyes follow her everywhere. She is fascinated by everything Emmy does. Hooray for sisters!

Well, I know that I probably have way more to write about but I'm tired so I'm going to head to bed. I have posted a bunch of pictures from our trip. I hope that you all had an incredible Thanksgiving holiday and that you found many things to be thankful for. I'm thankful for all of you...

Peace.