Thanksgiving... the beginning of Christmas

This was our first Thanksgiving in Michigan away from family and friends. But it turned out to be a great one. It's a tradition of ours to get a Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving, but since Pete had to work the rest of the weekend we decided to fit it in on Thanksgiving morning. We found a tree farm about 20 minutes away that wouldn't officially open until the next day but said we could come anyway. And it was so much fun! There were acres and acres of trees to pick from and lots of different varieties. We went for the Frasier Fir variety. For us it is the perfect tree: not too full and not too Charlie-Brownish. Then we came home and decorated the tree and enjoyed homemade cinnamon rolls before we headed out for dinner.







Our tree! Found at last!


Pete cuts it down with the saw.


John and Daddy carry the tree to the car. John is always eager to help with anything and everything his daddy is doing.


Joe and his "mittens." This is becoming a frequent occurrence. For some reason Joe loves to take off his shoes and put his socks on his hands whenever he gets a chance. If he goes to bed with socks on his feet he will usually wake up with them on his hands.


My friend from high school and 2-year college roommate, Sarah, invited us to her parents house for Thanksgiving dinner. What a treat! Their house was about an hour and half drive, just enough time for Joe to get in a nap. Sarah's brother is married to one of our college roommates as well, so it was fun to catch up with everyone.


The kids made little turkeys before the big meal.



The whole group! About 25 people seated around 1 big table. Thanks Doots!


Pete had to work the next couple days from early morning until late night, so we didn't get around to opening our Christmas pj's until Sunday. We normally do them the night we decorate the tree. We started this tradition a few years ago so that the kids get to wear their fun pj's all December. This doesn't happen very often, but the kids were being super photogenic! They kept saying cheese and posing for us even after we were done with the 15 pictures we took of them in front of the tree... it's at times like this that I wish we had a nice camera!... oh well, the iPhone will have to do for now. I just love these boys so much! Can't wait to have another one :) Let all the Christmas fun begin!