Thanksgiving Weekend 2012

We celebrated Thanksgiving with the Crea's this year, so Thursday morning we headed to Wisconsin.  We enjoyed a wonderful meal with many of my Crea relatives and we did lots of visiting and playing.  On Friday afternoon Brendan, Megan and I, along with my parents, sisters and Josh, went to the local tree farm and picked out my parents' Christmas tree.  It was absolutely frigid outside, so the kids and I stayed in the van until they had the tree picked out and ready for cutting, then we raced over to "help" them, had some hot chocolate in the indoor shop they have, and headed back to the farm.  Friday late afternoon we all headed to a local bowling alley and proceeded to teach Brendan and Megan the game, bowl a few games, eat a few snacks, and enjoy some family time.  On Saturday, Dad and I (and Emily!) went Christmas shopping in the Stillwater area, and I love shopping with my Dad as much (if not more) now than I did growing up.  It's not very often that I get to spend one-on-one time with him.  And I got a hot Olive Garden meal to boot!  Emily was really good and only fussed a bit while I was eating supper, otherwise she was a great sport and was content in her carseat (as long as Dad wasn't making faces at her!)  While Dad and I were busy shopping, Brad surprised everyone and set up the Christmas tree, made supper, and cleaned my parents' kitchen.  What a guy!  On Sunday we packed up and headed home.  It was a full weekend, but we really enjoyed every minute of it!

Brendan and Megan, all bundled up and ready to go find a Christmas tree! 

Hurrying to the selected tree...it's crazy-cold out here! (l->r: Nona, Brendan, Megan, Zizzi Liz) 

 Dad and Josh, working out their plan for tree domination.

Lauren and Cathy. 

Mom (Nona) and Brendan, trying to hide from the wind. 

Megan and I.  (I don't normally wear cammo and a Carhart hat, but Brad made me wear his cold-weather gear instead of mine...and I'm so thankful!) 

 Dad's ready to go to work!

The tree is down and "the boys" are dragging it to the car.  (Brendan is always very excited about his chance to help!)

Brendan's helping drag, then whoops!, he's being dragged along too!   This was hilarious to watch, because the guys didn't stop pulling and Brendan didn't let go of the tree...he was just pulled along for awhile until he could stand up.  (I know, I'm such a nice mom to stand and take pictures instead of help him up...oh well.)

Brendan found his footing and he's up helping again! 

"The boys" loading the tree into the truck. 

 Brendan and Papa warming up in the little shop and checking out the large bear hide hanging above them.

Brad and I passed Emily back and forth among us to keep her exposure to illness (and crying!) at a minimum.  She was great!

Brendan, learning to bowl.  He even got a strike (with bumpers), which he talks about to this day.

Brendan is now a huge fan of bowling!

Brad did most of the bowling with Megan.

Brendan, just chillin', waiting for his ball to hit the pins.

The fam.

Auntie Dooney and Brendan, doing some cheering.

Emily with Brad.

Auntie Dooney helping 

Papa's having a good time!

Back at the Crea Farm, where is Brendan?  Playing chess on the computer, of course!

Brendan, helping Nona in the kitchen.

Big hugs for Nona.

Brendan and Auntie Dooney.

Megan and Auntie Dooney.

Emily, relaxing on my lap, playing with her nuk.

Emily having some floor playtime in the living room.

Megan and Nona, watering the Christmas tree.

Brendan, "helping" Auntie Dooney and Nona put up the Christmas Village.  What?  You can't see my son and instead see hundreds of boxes?  You just have to look closer!  We Creas (I mean they Creas) are nothing if not completely dedicated to our (their) collections. :)

Brendan, helping Nona saturate put up the Christmas lights.

Brendan and Megan helped Zizzi Liz decorate the tree in the family room.

A snack on their own little tables.  They love getting to do that at Papa and Nonas.