Thanksgiving Weekend 2014

It was a long weekend that was filled to the brim.  Thursday started with LOTS food preparation.  Dinner time rolled around and of course, Lucy had to have her Thanksgiving dinner!

A little bit of everything

And then she had to have dessert!

Our dinner was a little smaller than it has been in years. Jeff had to work Black Friday so it was the three of having dinner together.

Let the Thanksgiving movie begin.  Alli, Madison, Ben, Missy, and Sam taking in Penguins of Madagascar.

With Jeff working, this was the perfect opportunity for Madison and I to visit with Grandma and Grandpa. But first, we had to go buy a Christmas tree.  And where better than the Home Depot at 5am...yes, you read that right...5am! When you have to get a good deal on a tree you have to be there early.  Luckily Santa was available and it made the very early morning shopping worth it.

Check out the PJs!

It had been years since we had seen the Lights of Celebration at Newport News Park. We haven't found anything like it in Raleigh and there's nothing like being in a warm car on a cold night looking at Christmas lights!!!!

It's been nearly two weeks since Dad had his knee replacement.  Here he is preparing for his first 5K (kidding). First step...getting rid of the walker!!!  Although he is using his walker, don't let the picture fool you.  He's doing great and when I left on Sunday he was down to using his cane for longer distances!!  Keep up the great work!

Keeping Dad moving made him very tired.  Mom, Madison, and I gave him a break during the late afternoon, late into the evening and had a girls night out at the Christmas Town. Lights, lights, and more lights is all I can say. BEAUTIFUL and a magical evening.

Another photo bomb :-)

Madison and I left fairly early Sunday morning to get home to beat the Thanksgiving-Getting-Home traffic.  We've made it home safe and sound!!!!

And the Christmas Season has begun!

Last Thursday was a VERY busy day for the Sanford family.  It all started the night before with Jeff making white chicken chili to take into work.  There was a chili cook off and he took FIRST PLACE!!!  Once again, that chili (and Jeff) kicked butt!!!!

 



 

That afternoon, while Jeff and his crew were warming up with chili, I had an early Thanksgiving lunch with Madison at school.  She and I LOVED sharing our time at lunch.



 



And then the start of Christmas season!  One of the local shopping centers has a BEAUTIFUL Santa each year and he's FREE! Perfect opportunity for Santa pictures.

 

We made  a full night of it...Santa, dinner, and fun afterwards....

 

Being photo-bombed while drinking Christmas in a glass!



Another photo-bomb moment!!!...that lil' girl!

Hanging out with just a few of her new friends!

Look closely at the picture that follows and you will see that there are three girls in the picture, Madison and the two girl performing their act. They were INCREDIBLE!!!

Completely amazed over the act

 

Daddy's photo-bomb

Getting ready to sled...

Hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner...now the fun begins.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

 

 If going out for Black Friday deals, please be safe!!!

Food Prep, Birthday, and Bonfire

We had a very busy Saturday but took it easy on Sunday.  There are times when it's good to slow down a bit!

Saturday morning Madison helped me prepare a few meals at Dinner Savvy. She was excited to know she was going to have a part in making meals for the weeks to come!

The first FROZEN birthday party this year.  Not too bad, considering...
Reagan's brother had a pet lizard named Spike and couldn't wait to show him off.  Madison couldn't take her eyes of Spike but wasn't too sure when she finally got to hold him.

Madison and Alli having a photo op.

The weather is just starting to turn.  With the weather being a little closer to "FROZEN", Lisa lit a fire in the firepit to get us to come outside and have some good bonding time!  Thank goodness for close friends!!!

Halloween Weekend 2014

It all started again on Friday night at 6pm. A HUGE group of us met for Trick-or-Treating. The Elsa's were ready for anything that came at them!

 

Alli, Madison, and Emma

 

Olaf better watch out how close he gets to the fire!!!

 

 

Emma stayed the weekend.  Saturday the weather was not really all that great.  Took the girls to Home Depot for the Kids Workshop.

 

 

Thank goodness the weather cleared; however, it turned MUCH cooler on Sunday.  A great opportunity to get outdoors.  A little family day of hiking at Umstead State Park.

 

Trying to keep Lucy (and Madison) from getting in the water!

 

  

Family Portrait!...If you look closely, Jeff has Lucy!