Traditions From Thanksgiving Weekend

I love traditions. They’re like standing appointments with the people I love. As time goes on, I realize how hectic life can become when schedules collide. It’s too easy to lose touch with friends and family during the day to day shuffle of meetings, appointments, practices, etc. Little traditions lock in guaranteed friends & family time.

When we got married and moved into our house, I took over Thanksgiving hosting duties. I added in a new tradition where my mom and mother-in-law come over Wednesday evening (aka Thanksgiving Eve) to bake pies together. This year, the day started off with an early dismissal from school. I took Max and my nieces to pick up a few ingredients that I forgot on my last shopping trip. We were the shoppers that people wanted to avoid. A rolling sideshow if you will.  Complete with turkey crowns.

When I got home, I prepped as many of the side dishes as humanly possible.  Best tip when cooking for a large crowd (besides prepping ahead) is to write the cooking instructions on the foil that covers it.  Huge time saver.

This year, I had a little help with the food prep.

Thursday was full of food, friends and family.  Looooootta carbs happening over here guys. *belch*

I braved the Black Friday crowds at Toys R Us then spent the rest of the day decorating! There’s something so special about watching a child’s eyes light up with holiday magic.  Dante was amazed.  Max is getting really excited this year and is so pumped to show his baby brother all of the cool things that happen this time of year.

Saturday evening we met my cousin’s family on the town green for the tree lighting.  There was a little train taking the kids around and it was the hit of the night.

Sunday is always our family Christmas tree day.

It was the first year my husband chose the tree.  We snapped our annual family photo in front of it.  You guys, Max hugging his baby brother is too much for me.

Dante was not as excited as everyone else about Daddy chopping down a tree.

Is that pic not a classic?! When we got home, I whipped up some pasta e fagioli and turned up the Michael Buble holiday station on Pandora.  The bottom 1/4 of our tree is VERY decorated.  Max was so so proud of his work.

What are your favorite traditions?  Post in the comments below 🙂