Downtown Cleveland

Since I was a little girl, I've gone downtown Cleveland every year with my family at Christmas-time.  We went again yesterday and had a lot of fun.  Andrew and Darrell have gone a few times before, but it was Jake's first trip to Cleveland and his first time meeting Santa. So fun!

My grandma bought Jake a cute "baby's first Christmas" ornament, we stopped at the candy shop, and I got some lotion from Bath and Body Works with a coupon I received in the mail.  Aside from that little bit of shopping, we visited Bruce the Spruce- a talking Christmas tree, saw Santa, and had a fantastic lunch at Hard Rock Cafe.

Apparently Jake LOVES Hard Rock Cafe, because he ate more there than I've ever seen him eat in his life.  He gobbled down some baby food, then hamburger, bun, pickle, and even some french fries. YUM!

I love the Christmas season and sharing family traditions with Jake.  I'm so SOO excited for Christmas!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I love holidays with a baby.  It's so fun to have all Jake's "firsts."  We very much enjoyed his first Thanksgiving!

In the morning, Andrew, Kim, Darrell, my dad and I did a Turkey Trot while my mom stayed home and watched Jake.  This was the first trip to my parents house (which is a couple of hours north of where we live) that Jake had a hard time sleeping.  In fact, it was a nightmare.  The first night, aside from a 1.5 hour stretch, someone had to be holding him ALL night.  That's way worse than when he was a newborn!  He seemed to be afraid of the playpen.  So the lucky guy got to sleep in a real bed for the first time in his life- my parents- in between them.  He is so lucky they love and spoil him!  So are Andrew and I!

When we got back from the race, my mom fixed us a nice breakfast, we got ready for the day, and were off to my Aunt Carolyn and Uncle Tom's house.  This was the first Thanksgiving held outside of my grandparent's home, but it was perfect.  My aunt goes all out, and everything she does is nice.  The tables looked amazing, there was lots more room for us, and Jake had new territory to crawl all around. In all his adventures, his favorite finds were dog tails and my great-aunt's walker.  He loved playing with that!

Jake had fun with my aunts, uncles, and cousins and his great-grandparents.  Aside from all 3 of us having colds (mine came on just the day before, and I felt MISERABLE), it was a wonderful day.  The dinner was to die for (my grandma and aunts are wonderful cooks) and the company was great.  We have so much to be thankful for!

That night Kim, Darrell, my mom and I went shopping while Andrew and my dad held down the fort and watched Jake.  We found some good deals, although we definitely could have waited until Friday morning.  We headed too a few more stores Friday afternoon and played cards as a family in the evening.  Darrell was especially a good trooper, standing in line FOREVER.  I'll be surprised if he ever goes shopping again...ever.

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend!

Turkey Trot

Thanksgiving morning Andrew and I did a 5K Turkey Trot in Perry, OH with Kim, Darrell, and my dad.  It was so fun! 

It was my first official race in about 5 years, and the first 5K I've completed without walking!  I realize that's not too impressive, but I was proud of myself for getting back into running, even if it's only short distances, after having Jake.  I had been doing the elliptical, but it's nice to actually be outside while exercising.  The race took me about 33 minutes, but Andrew completed it in less than 26 minutes.  Kim, Darrell, and my dad were right after that.

During the race, as it was Thanksgiving day, I thought about the many things I am thankful for.  Most of all is my family.  I am so grateful for Andrew and Jake!  I love and adore them both so much, and I'm so glad we can be a family forever.  I enjoy every minute we spend together, and I'm incredibly thankful for the most wonderful marriage and a sweet little son.

I'm also very grateful for my parents.  It's really intimidating having a little baby who will learn so much from us, including right from wrong.  I'm so glad my parents taught me well and helped me become a better person.  I'm so lucky to have them!

I'm also thankful for my sister, who is always so fun to be around, so encouraging, and thoughtful.  She married an awesome guy, Darrell, who we all love having in the family.  I'm so glad my brother, Kory, is serving a mission in Brazil.  I also have amazing grandparents who are so full of energy and spoil us, even now.

I'm also grateful for Andrew's family- they are wonderful in-laws and amazing grandparents, aunts, and uncles.  I love that they raised Andrew and helped him become so, so wonderful.  

I'm also thankful for a job where I can work from home, a comfortable place to live, a warm (and extremely comfortable) bed, modern medicine, pictures, the beautiful Earth I live in, the college education I was able to receive, chocolate, cars, indoor plumbing, laughter, and so much more.

While I'm grateful for so much, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is top on my list.  I know that God lives.  I know that Jesus Christ came to Earth and atoned for the sins of the world, including my own.  I know that through Him, I can return and live with Them and my beloved family forever.  I am so grateful for the happiness and peace I have from knowing that Jesus is the Christ.  I'm very grateful for the guidance I receive from that testimony!  I know who I am, where I came from, and what will happen when I die.  What a blessing!!!!

What a perfect start to a wonderful THANKSgiving day!

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