Pies and Pasta Salads

I loved Thanksgiving this year! It's been quite a long time since I've really genuinely felt festive and the real heart of a holiday on the day of. Sad to say it, but honestly, being an adult during the holidays kind of ruined them for me. I still love the smell in the air and the changing of the leaves, but there was something wonderful as a child being free to play and run around, help mom cook, laugh at dad getting mad because not all the lights were working on the Christmas tree he was getting ready to put up and getting excited to see grandma and stuff my face with goodies. Now, it's my job to see that the food is made, the house is clean and we are getting to each place to visit that day on time. Which means clean faces, cute hair, nice clothes and punctual house exiting. I'm not always in the mood for that kind of stress on a holiday, but this year, it was different. 

I woke up excited to get the parade playing for the kids to see. We watched as each baton twirler and famous singer rode by doing their numbers and entertaining everyone in the streets of New York. The kids watched and ran up and down from the toy room to their own rooms with their happy and loving dog Bella. I started cooking and Mitchell and Jessica both helped me in preparing every dish I committed to making. While Owen cooked his traditional stuffed mushrooms, I took my time getting ready then got the kids changed.

 Next we headed out to grandma's house. The kids were so excited! We got there, stuffed out faces and stayed to chat for a while so the kids could have some good play time with their cousins. Owen was relieved to be there for a visit for once without having to log into work and listen for his phone every ten minutes. Then we headed to my Mom and Dad's. The treats were all laid out ready for consuming and the tree was ready for its face to be put on! The kids love this. We literally couldn't get Mitchell to stop eating the goodies!! Lol. He finally just said, "that's it, you should just take this away from me so I don't eat it all" hahaha way to be, Mitch. :-)

Afterward, my father was pretty sick that night so Owen was asked to give my father a blessing. Is meant a lot to me. With everything we have been through together, and how long of a road we have traveled, it was a true marvel to see my husband give a blessing to the man who had given me blessings my entire life. I loved that special moment and I am so grateful we were there and we were both capable in that moment to be worthy of such a need. 

Driving home, the kids fell asleep in the car and for just a moment, I felt like that happy kid again. Thanksgiving was back to the way it always should be. Full of happy, memorable and loving moments.