Thanksgiving Part 2

We’re nearly at the end of December, so it seems like I ought to take the time to share photos from the second half of our trip to Austin, visiting with Chris’ mom, step-dad, siblings and extended family.

When we first arrived, we had a little time warp forward to this month: Chris’s brother and sister went all out decorating the little cabin in their backyard with Christmas lights as a surprise for the girls.  It may have been one of their favorite parts on the trip, although nothing could hold a candle to playing with Grandma Helen.  I think our girls may have wrapped their grandma around their little fingers, because from morning to night, she was pretty much either playing or reading with them (and occasionally their cousins).  She even took everyone out to a ceramics painting shop and let them paint to their heart’s content – Nora was in seventh heaven when she was allowed to paint four different things.

Chris, of course, commandeered Thanksgiving dinner, and made a whole bunch of super delicious food, which we all ate way too much of before passing out for an afternoon siesta.  On days like Thanksgiving (and Diwali and pretty much any other major holiday), I am quite thankful for my husband’s chosen profession.  It’s sort of nice to not have to stress over holiday food because I know Chris has it handled especially when I had to spend Thanksgiving morning stuck on the couch with a bag of frozen peaches on my poison ivy swollen face.  Hah.  (Luckily I can laugh about it now.)

This year, I was also especially thankful for my in-laws.  I’m lucky to have married into a family that feels just as welcoming as my own, with whom I genuinely enjoy spending time, and who love my children to pieces, even if they don’t get to see them much because of distance.  We had a wonderful trip to Austin, all due to the generosity of Chris’ family, and a week full of joy that I wouldn’t trade for anything.