celebrating the holidays with Grandmom and Granddad

Mason,

As mentioned before, we traveled to Tennessee for Thanksgiving to visit Grandmom and Granddad. You had a ball. Grandmom and Mommy worked hard to prepare a Thanksgiving feast for us. In this first picture, it's a little hard to tell if the bird in the pan or you is the bigger turkey. 

After our meal, we did a little photo shoot, in which you begrudgingly participated.

Mommy and I even took the opportunity to get a picture with just the two of us. We don't get those opportunities much anymore. What can't be seen is you throwing a fit just beyond the camera that we would dare leave you out.

Then Mommy and I got a special treat. We got to go to a movie! We used to spend the holidays seeing every Oscar-watch movie. Somehow our schedules and priorities have changed. And while we wouldn't have it any other way, we hadn't seen a single movie together since you were born. So we took advantage of the opportunity and snuck away to see Lincoln. You had a great time playing with Grandmom and Granddad while we were gone. But you were glad when we came back, too, which always does our hearts good.

On our last night, we celebrated Christmas. You're still a year or two away from fully embracing the whole present thing. You were more interested in your milk and your snack than your presents. But you still enjoyed running around with your new toys and book.

We had a fun time visiting Grandmom and Granddad and celebrating the holidays. But you were a little exhausted from all the excitement and pretty thrilled to get home and back to your crib. Now you get a few weeks to recover before Grandma and Grandpa arrive and we do it all over again!

Love,
Daddy

Thanksgiving

Mason,

Happy Thanksgiving! We celebrated your first Thanksgiving with Grandma, Grandpa, and Auntie. Here are some photo highlights from the day.

 

Daddy and I are thankful for you, sweet Mason! Lord willing, we can't wait to watch you gobble down the Thanksgiving meal next year. You will love it!

I love you!

Mommy

one turkey picks up another

Mason,

A few years ago, I discovered the delight of cooking and eating a fresh turkey on Thanksgiving. Part of the experience includes joining the masses in picking up turkeys at Eastern Market a day or two before the holiday. What a joy to take you with me this year!

Grandma and Grandpa helped us prep for Thanksgiving dinner--I couldn't have pulled off this meal without their help this year. I would get 10 minutes into a recipe, you would start fussing, and I would return 30 minutes later to find the dish completed by Grandma and Grandpa. They did all the work while I cared for you--what lifesavers!

Here we are at the end of the turkey line.

We waited in line 40 minutes. You were a doll and put yourself to sleep in your car seat.

But then you woke up and helped me select fresh flowers for the table.

You weighed more than the turkey, but not much. You will have less patience for the turkey line in future years, if you accompany me on this errand. I hope you will, though. It's one of my favorite DC Thanksgiving traditions. I loved having you with me this year!

XOXO,
Mommy