A Quiet Thanksgiving

This was our first year that we made no plans for Thanksgiving, and I must say that it was so nice to just be able to relax at home and not have to worry about doing anything, cooking anything, hosting anyone, or going anywhere.  Our little family had such a chill day.  We watched the parade, went for a run, went out for a nice brunch, watched football/Christmas movies, started decorating the house, and finished off the day by visiting with some friends and watching more football.

My running partner---obviously she didn't burn off any pre-turkery calories.

Family picture taken after brunch.

Someone is a little upset over how the game ended.

And now on to the Christmas festivities!!

"Let's get to baking, Mom! I'm ready for Christmas cookies!"

Savannah is checking out her 2nd year ornament.

following in the footsteps of my mother---a picture every year of putting our new ornament on the tree.

We had such a fun day together as we were constantly reminded of all the things we have to be thankful for---we have each other, our families, our friends, our health, our new home, and so much more!    

Savannah's Book Selection

Savannah LOVES LOVES LOVES books but that's nothing new and I absolutely love reading to her but we disagree on our book selection.  I like to read different books to her everyday before nap and bed but she wants the same two books every time.

And if I start to read something other than these two, she throws a fit--screaming and throwing the books on the floor.  I often have to read both Pinkalicious and Purplicious twice before she's ready to go to sleep.  I've even tried hiding them so she will forget about them but that only leads to another fit.  I guess it only makes sense since I make her sleep in an all pink room.
If anyone has any suggestions for other books similar to these two, please let me know.  I'm starting to recite these books in my dreams at night.

Savannah's 1st Birthday Party

Savannah had her first birthday party on Saturday, November 13.  We had such a fun time with our neighbors and friends here in Chapel Hill.  And Grams was even able to fly out to spend the week with us.  We wish more of our family could have been here, too, but I guess that's how it is when we all live so far apart.  Luckily we'll see a lot of them next month for Christmas!  

Here are just a few of the many pictures we took during the day:       

Here comes the Birthday Girl!

So happy was Grams was here to celebrate, too!

the party crowd 

yummy snack time

Oscar and his brilliant idea of hanging the pinata

she's after the party bags

we didn't make much of a dent in it...

but she loved being able to whack at it!

she was a little unsure of all the singing

"hmmm, let me see what this feels like."

"Mom, it's icky!! Get it away!"

Having a tea party with Mrs. Telling

Gift time!!!!

She loved digging in the bags.

woohoo! a new baby!

she got bored with opening gifts until........

a big one came out! 

she was most excited about just pushing around the big box

woohoo! another box to push around!

she LOVES her grocery cart!

she's off to the grocery store with her baby

sorry for the vulgar hand motion---she must be tired of all the photos.

pushing this all over the house is mom's new form of exercise

a new piece of furniture to add to the living room

she LOVES it!!!!!

my beautiful happy 1 year old!!!

I know Savannah will never remember her first birthday party but it's one that I will never forget!  As much fun as it was, I think I need at least a year to recuperate.  Thank goodness birthdays only come once a year :)  

Savannah's 1 Year Photos

Savannah Grace at One Year Old