Being Thankful

It was a Happy Thanksgiving...everyone was happy and finally healthy and we spent the day with friends. Living far from family has given me a new gratitude for good friends and good people who are and who do become family in a way.

Everything I made for our Thanksgiving feast reminded me of someone I love: Grandma Rowan's rolls remind me of my Mom because she taught me how to make them, Yellow Pineapple Jello reminds me of my Grandma because she taught me how to make this, and Andes Mint Coookies remind me of my Mom and Abigail because my Mom taught us how to make these when my parents were here for Abigail's baby blessing.

It was extra wonderful to have Tyler home for a few extra days. I am most happy when we are all together--Tyler, Abigail, Lucy and I. Family is what I am most thankful for--- eternally thankful and words can't even begin to express these feelings of gratitude that fill my body.

I squeezed in some Black Friday shopping--although at a decent hour of 8:00am.

And--I squeezed in some creative projects to help our home be filled with "thankful" reminders.

Created by me....tips and advice given by Tyler when solicited.

Created by me, inspired by this.

There used to be 3 pumpkins here...but Lucy got a hold of one.

When the Relatives Came

My sister Becca, her husband Derek, and their darling daughter Hannah came for a visit. Visits are rare treats around these parts and we soaked up the time we spent getting to know Hannah. Our time was really mostly spent playing and hanging out.

We played and played and played. Hannah was in love with all the new toys our house offered and Abigail was in love with her cousin Hannah. Abigail kept saying things like, "I love my cousin Hannah" and became her little buddy the whole time. She was also quite protective of Hannah as Lucy, unfortunately, was in a biting stage.

Check out those cheeks. Check out those eyes. Adorable.

We kept oohing and ahhing over how small Hannah was. Compared to Lucy, she is so tiny and light, even though they are only 3 months apart.

Playing here, playing there.

A walk on the Big Creek Greenway.

Seriously--isn't she cute?

Hiking Sawnee Mountain all bundled up.

We fell in love with this little girl and

Abigail took right to Aunt Becca and got tons and tons of snuggles while she was here. (Abigail just came in while I was working on this post and said, "Can they come again on a airplane to see us?).

It was a great visit, even though much to our complete sadness, Lucy came down with an awful stomach virus and it then passed along to Abigail and Rachael. Thankfully, somehow, Derek, Becca and Hannnah all escaped coming down with it as well and were nice enough to help take care of the girls when I (Rachael) was too weak to do much of anything.

Between sickness though, we were able to do lots of talking, playing, walks, cooking (including Derek teaching me how to make homemade chicken stock), eating, and enjoying watching the girls play together.

Lucy's First 1st Birthday Celebration

Little Lucy, although she isn't so little, turned ONE November 12, 2011.

Unfortunately, a few days before the 12th, she was hit hard with the most awful stomach virus...and so we had to cancel/delay her scheduled birthday party with friends. Lucky for Lucy though, cousin Hannah and Uncle Derek and Aunt Becca had come for a visit, so it was still such a special day. Abigail and Hannah helped Lucy unwrap her musical presents. There was much singing and playing and noise making. For a while, all thoughts of sickness were forgotten.

It is amazing the difference a year makes. Lucy started out so small, yet, a year later, is still off the charts for height and is mere pounds away in weight from her older sister. Her once dark hair has lightened up to a beautiful blond and her eyes shine the bluest of blue skies. She is active and happy. She started walking right around her 1st birthday, took a break for a few weeks to recover from the stomach bug (it's effects stayed around for 2 weeks), and then came on strong moving her legs everywhere. She delights in playing with Abigail and keeping up with her. She is fiercely independent. She can already throw a tantrum like no others I've seen. She gives the worlds best cuddles day and night. Oh-we love her cuddles. She loves to play peek-a-boo. She babbles on, she makes noise, she keeps herself busy with all sorts of things. She is following simple directions. She loves to open cupboards and empty them out and she especially delights in turning the tv off while we are watching it (and then she turns and smiles at us). She claps and claps when we say "Hooray for Lucy".

She is our little Luce-Goose. We do love love love her.