Thanksgiving Firsts

Thanksgiving was very different this year for both sides of our family.  Usually Rob and I visit our families on this day, but this year we were surprised with a trip to Disneyland.  As many of you know, Rob and I live only ten minutes (if that) from both sets of our family.  We chose to do this because we wanted our children to experience the importance of life, family connections.  This also means that the holidays can get a little tricky.  Being out of town on Thanksgiving meant that we were going to switch a few traditions; this was a first for all of us.  This year we celebrated Thanksgiving a week early with my family and left for Disneyland the Tuesday before Thanksgiving to spend it with Rob's family (Grandma, Grandpa, Dawna, and Taylor.) Another first was not having Cameron with us.  Cameron decided not to go on the Disneyland trip, instead, he went to Devyn's house for Thanksgiving and visited Oma and Opa for a second time.  We missed him dearly, but knew this day would eventually come.

The food and company took priority which left me with only picture from our Thanksgiving dinner at Oma and Opa's house.  We spent the day eating, playing games, and enjoying the conversations.
 Let it be noted, that the girls won the games again (I think this was the third year in a row)--we aren't competitive, my team simply plays to win!  GO GIRLS!

 Disneyland Trip

Our trip started on the road...we sang, slept, watched movies, and Daddy drove!

When we arrived, we pulled in at the same time as Grandma, Grandpa and Taylor.  After we checked in, we were off to the park. Dawna flew in later that night.

The lights, the ornaments, and sheer size was a testament of Disney's ability to make things magical!

Grand California Hotel (with cousin Taylor...he has a great smile!) The kids had a lot of fun together.

Mommy and Jessie waiting to get onto Space Mountain...first ride of the day!

Sitting back and relaxing at the end of the day...getting older isn't as much fun as I thought it would be!

Grandma and Missy enjoyed themselves on numerous rides.

Kids...so cute--especially the big kid in the middle!

The Christmas Parade was like no other.  The kids were enjoying themselves with Grandma; they all looked like a bunch of kids on Christmas day (amazed with the lights, the characters, the music, and excitement.)

Sisterly love!

Poor Grandpa went on Splash Mountain with the girls; they screamed, yelled, cried, and ended the ride laughing away the tears.  Jessie even said that she wanted to go again...girls!  Grandpa was a trooper and tried to calm them down throughout the entire ride.

The girls survived, but Missy clams she will never ride Splash Mountain again!

Missy getting sympathy from her Daddy!

We had Thanksgiving dinner at Steak House 55.  The dinner was delicious and the desserts were even better.  Jessie is a girl after my own heart...she ordered a chocolate cake that had endless layers of chocolate delight in every bite!

My dessert was so pretty, I didn't want to eat it.  When I did take a bite, it tasted better than it looked--YUM!

Going to Disneyland during Thanksgiving was a first for our family,
a first that will be cherished for years to come.  Thank you!