Happy Thanksgiving!

Pictures:

Niko and Mommy. Lauren preparing her pudding. My kids and their tee-pees!

We heard from Daddy this morning. He wished us a Happy Thanksgiving and said he got stuck with McDonalds for his dinner (Yuck!). But otherwise he has a lot to be thankful for today. He has been having a grand time fitting in up to one city a day, seeing places and history he has been reading about for years. Says he will visit the town of Duenas next! That should be very cool to hear about. Forgot to ask if he is taking pictures--Juan, if you're reading this, TAKE PICTURES!

As for the three of us here at home, it is nearing 5pm , and it didn't go half bad. We took it easy and slept in until 10 am. Then, I made blueberry pancakes (actually, the kids ate the hotcakes. (I chose to eat 3 pieces of See's chocolates!). After dishes, Niko and I saw National Treasure 2 on tv and without really saying it out loud , agreed to snuggle next to the fire, and watch for the next two hours. Lauren came down and joined us about half way through, and then, it was time to start to prepare the turkey. To be completely honest, I don't enjoy cooking. Never have. My dad taught my brothers to cook because I had no interest even then. Fortunately, my daughter DOES enjoy the preparations and she jumped right in to help me. I got the turkey and sage stuffing going, while she got her banana pudding started --this is a tradition and always a hit! Then, for the next three hours we hung out and waited for our tiny turkey to turn a yummy golden brown. I enjoyed the sprinkling of rain outside while Club Penguin got the kids attention.

At 3:30pm , when the turkey thermometer reached 170 degrees and the timer dinged "done!", Niko volunteered to set the table with the placemats they each made in the first grade (another tradition) and then we all got dressed up and sat down to dinner. Our gratitude circle filled more of the dinner hour than I had anticipated, and I was thoroughly pleased. Niko was grateful for, "Jesus, who died for our sins, so we don't have to go down there." and also, "for my mommy who is funny, and takes care of me, and who is very pretty" and "for my daddy who is cuddly like a teddy bear and cares for me" and " for my sister who makes me laugh, and always comforts me when I am sad" and "for pretty girls---oh yeh!". Lauren laughed and said, "And I know which one!" Then she said, "I am grateful for my family who loves me and keeps me safe, and for my friends because they are always kind to me, and for Mrs. Lett, because she always watches over me on the playground at school. My teacher, for giving me an education, and for my principal. Oh, and for Chloe. I love Chloe."

For me, I was thankful the turkey didn't burn while I was upstairs and Niko, in a panic yelled,

"Mom, I think the turkey is burning!" Also, I must mention my turkey gravy. I dont' even own a gravy bowl because my boys don't like gravy, but this year, for my girl, I made the gravy.

Lauren loved it so much she put it on everything, and for a moment I thought she might take the bowl and eat it like soup! For me, being able to be in my home, filled with my hearts desires, making a meal, making memories, my kids will remember, well, that was the cat's meow. This isn't the first year Juan and I have spent the holiday in different places, but it is the first one, neither one of us has been with extended family. Our day was still filled with traditions, but one important one was missing--Daddy and our other loved ones. There is a reason folks gather together, to fill the hours of the day with cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. We do that because it is enjoyable and annually, it reminds us what is truly important. Next year, we will be sure to get back to that tradition as well!