Unfortunately this past Thanksgiving was a bit of a bummer! Why? Well . . . Lee was working and got home the day after Thanksgiving, Heidi moved back to California the day after Thanksgiving so needless to say there were many tears on Thanksgiving, and Grandma and Papa Carlson (our only in town relatives) were on a cruise. The only up-side was that my mom flew in town Thanksgiving evening so we got to see her for 2 hours - she came in to help Heidi drive back cross country to California with all of her pets. No turkey, no stuffing, no sweet potatoes, no cranberries it would have been too much work for just 3 people to enjoy for just 2 short hours and Heidi doesn't really like turkey anyway.
Christmas Lights Car Ride
The kids and I didn't have much to do on Thanksgiving so we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in the morning, went on a neighborhood walk and visited with our favorite neighbors Sam and Rita (who did invite us to stay for dinner but they had over 30 people already) and then at night we took a drive to look at Christmas lights. Cooper and Allie loved the lights and they didn't really know it was Thanksgiving anyway.
Bed heads watching the Thanksgiving Parade!
I have never had a Thanksgiving like this before and I was a little bummed all day but couldn't help to think how incredible the tons and tons of ways that God has blessed my little family. Let me tell you my top 10 . . . Thankful Thoughts:
1. Faith - without God with me moment by moment.
I couldn't do this crazy life!
2. I get to be a stay at home mom
- a dream come true!
3. My husband loves his job -
I am soooo thankful for this (and I love it too)!
4. Let me brag a bit . . .
My kids are very very healthy - Thank you God!
5. My extended family on both sides are fun to hang
out with and we all like each other!
6. I am thankful for our boat.
I know this sounds a bit materialistic - let me explain -
it is our family's peaceful way of relaxing and enjoying each other.
7. God answers my prayers very quickly. I just love this!
I know this may not always be the case but God has been
so faithful which makes me thankful and more prayerful!
8. I am thankful for our little house, all 1600 sq. feet of it
which seems tiny to some and huge to a few million more.
I am thankful that we are learning to be content.
9. I am so thankful for friends that are far away.
People that are special enough to continue relationships with even
though we aren't in close proximity is a true test of friendship!
10. I am thankful that in 33 yrs.
I have had only 1 bummer of a Thanksgiving:)
Cooper was patient and so thrilled to make a lake with fish in it!
Allie and Daddy hung out!
He could have stayed for hours, lucky for 
Cooper enjoying a sailboat decked out with lights!
Allie says, "light, light" and points
Daddy gets help driving the boat!
The blurry picture doesn't do this boat justice.
