Thanksgiving!

Happy belated Thanksgiving!

It has been a while since I wrote, and wanted to just write a quick note.

Thanksgiving was wonderful once again.  My family went to my sisters house where we were joined by Jose's parents this year.  It was nice because we don't get to see them often (usually 2-3 times a year) and they usually cannot stay at a place close to us (they usually are most comfortable staying in Milford) but, this year they stayed at an Inn close to my sisters house and they were able to spend a good portion of the day with us.  We had a small gathering of 26.  The kids were great and had a blast playing with their older cousins.  Manny discovered the ever popular "baa baa clock" at my sisters and was obsessed with it.  Basically, it is a clock that is a coo coo clock, but instead of a coo coo, it has a sheep that looks a lot like a wallace and gromit sheep that comes out and baa's.  Ava used to love it and now Manny is obsessed with it.  He made anyone who was holding him take him over to the clock and make it baa for him.  (it has a little button that lets the sheep come out)

Friday we cleaned up the house, Ava went for a playdate that she was dying to get to with her friend from school, picked up our new minivan, and headed to quincy for our left over turkey sandwiches.  As you can imagine, there was not a lot left but I managed to have mine.  :-)  I am going to make a turkey just to have the sandwich because it is the best part of thanksgiving.

Saturday my mom came over and picked up Ava to take her to her house for a sleep over.  It was a little strange to not have her here and only have Manny here.  He really misses her and looks for her when she isn't around.  We decorated the house for Christmas...had no decorating fights this year...(amazing) and it was cold enough for a fire at night.  I totally crashed on the couch by the fire.  It was so nice to relax.

Sunday we headed out to meet up with my sister and her family to cut down a Christmas tree.  We went to Newbury to a tree farm but we were not impressed with the trees they had so we headed over to Newburyport for some lunch by the harbor, saw Santa come in on a boat, and the town had a tree lighting.  The stores in town are all little shops that are just delightful.  We got a couple of ornaments for Ava and Manny (his first, ava picked it out).  Ava got a Clara holding a nutcracker (that is what she was for halloween this year) and she picked out an elf boy holding a rocking horse for Manny.  The store had a million beautiful ornaments in it and it was hard to choose.  I left feeling like I should have just went ahead and got the "burger meister, miester burger" ornament...oh well.  We headed next door to the candy store and got a count down to Christmas chocolate goodies for Ava.  I think Santa may be bringing a couple of those HUGE candy canes just like the ones in the store....hmmm...if we are good!

Today the students come back on campus and I am back to work.  I have a senior portrait today and then I concentrate on my year in the life projects.

I am hoping to convince my husband to get our tree tonight.  The ones you cut down yourself are supposed to last a long time.  I hope so, we don't have a lot of free time to go get a tree this year so it looks like the sooner the better.

2 weeks of school and then we are on Christmas break!!  YAY...my favorite time of year.

Happy Holidays everyone!  I promise to post some photos...later.  ;-)