a merry thanksmas.

It's hard to adjust to the reality of holidays with family stretched across the country.  This year we had a combination Thanksgiving/Christmas with my family already, pulling in also the birth of a new family member (our niece Brynn).  We are so grateful for the good chunk of time we were able to spend together, its just going to take some getting used to when these holidays arrive. 

Our holiday gatherings also look and sound a little different as well.  Instead of Christmas music playing during dinner, we hear screams, whines, loud talking, and cries; instead of taking our precious time opening gifts in birth order, we randomly open presents and are lucky if you get to see half of them.  It's crazy, it's chaotic, but it's memories of this time with a 5 year old, 2 year old, 9 month old, and newborn in the family that we will all look back on and laugh at.  Aidan is old enough to read the names and hand out presents, Liam randomly opens everyone's presents with the expected patience of a 2 year old, Quinn crawls on them, and Brynn cries and then just might poop on them (yes, someone was even pooped on for this family gathering). 

Hello a very Griswold Christmas.

Despite the chaos, there was room leftover for good family time, a delicious meal (fried turkeys by Uncle Drew included), and the fun of gift-giving.

A first for this little girl...

cute turkey outfit huh? another masterpiece by grandma

Quinn with Thor (aka  cousin Liam)

matching turkey outfits made by Grandma for Quinn and Brynn.

complete with precious boots (turkey headband, tutu, turkey shirt)

adorable cousins.

Merry Thanksmas!