Always something to be thankful for: Everly’s First Thanksgiving

I find myself stuffed, tired, and so thankful as I type up this post.

Our Thanksgiving feast all ready to be served up.

Thanksgiving weekend started out a little rough, as Jason has been down for the count since early this week. He has been battling some sort of cold/flu combo. It has also been filled with a special gift of sleep (more on that another time), Everly is in on a much better sleep routine. For that I am thankful, Mommy has not been enjoying all the early morning wakings that have been going on for some time now.

Yummy home made pies, brownies, and pumpkin spice cupcakes.

My family has had a tradition for as long as I can remember, we’ve had the odd Thanksgiving where we did get rained out, but the tradition is that we go for a picnic for Thanksgiving. Everyone pitches in to bring items to share, and this year we did it a bit differently and had everyone bring their own meat as there is just so many of us we always seem to run out of turkey. It always works out great, there’s lots of food options. Mashed potatoes with gravy, lots of stuffing, baked potatoes and chili, turnip with apple sauce (amazing by the way!), cranberry sauce mixed with pears and ginger, and of course home made pies for dessert! If its part of a traditional meal, we more than likely have it at our picnic.

This year we had incredible sunny weather, it was a little cold in the shade, but in the sun it was glorious. We all met up at Fleetwood Park, and some how we managed to get picnic tables (does no one else go for a picnic this time of year?). It was a great park to go to this year, and a new one to most of our extended family. It has a playground, a nice little field area, and nice walking trails.

I was a little excited for the first big family dinner with Everly. Her first Thanksgiving. She is the perfect age right now for this sort of meal as she is more than willing to try all sorts of items. She loved getting to dig right into the food  we put in her dish. Her favourites were the apple and turnip dish my Mom made, and of course turkey with cranberry sauce. She really loved getting to feed herself, which gave us a chance to eat at the same time. We lugged her portable seat to the park and set it up. this also helped us be able to enjoy a warm meal.

Digging into her first Thanksgiving meal… yes she did want seconds.

Rescuing the Frisbee.

There was of course the usual tossing around of Frisbees, base balls, and footballs. This year a family football game did not break out. Everly got to see lots of her extended family. Her Aunty (my sister) and Uncle (my sister’s hubby) even made it up from the States. Everyone was happy to see the two of them, as it has been a little while. Everly was loved on immensely by everyone at the picnic.

Playing in the leaves.

It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without reflecting on things we are thankful for. Some other things I am thankful for are my incredible daughter Everly, my loving and supportive husband, family and friends, my wonderful church and the fact that I live somewhere where I can be free to be a Christian, for having tummies that are filled with yummy food, Fall and all of the beautiful colours that come with it, and so much more. What are you thankful for?

This evening Everly went to bed extremely early thanks to a turkey-induced-coma, so Jason and I will be settling in to watch a movie together. There is just something about having youngsters around during holidays that makes them so much more special. Thanksgiving has just made me look forward to Christmas so much more!