The Arledges: Happy Thanksgiving!!

We have had such a wonderful week! There is so much to tell--I won't try to fit it all into this post, so be sure to keep checking back! Lee was able to be off from work all week, so we were able to do a lot of things together as a family. Monday was clean the house day. Since our remodeling was just finished the end of last week, we had a lot to do! I will post before/after pictures of our new and improved home soon. Tuesday we had our Christmas portraits taken. Claire was a doll! She loved the photographer and smiled away at the camera. I will post some of these pictures as well. She also got to sit on Santa's lap for the first time. I have some video to post, too! Then came the big day--Thursday. Mom and I began cooking Wednesday afternoon, so we were in great shape Thursday morning. We had a yummy breakfast and began preparing all of our favorite goodies. Lee was again in charge of the bird--he has become a real pro at frying turkey. Our new patio was the perfect spot! Around 2:00 Lee's mom and Bill came over to join in on the fun. The girls finished up in the kitchen while the boys tended the fryer. Finally we were able to sit and enjoy our delicious spread. Claire was dressed in her Thanksgiving best and enjoyed the family dinner from her highchair (she had her Thanksgiving meal a little later in the evening--squash and green beans--yum!!). We sat around the table and talked for the longest time. This is always my favorite time of the day, being able to just be together and laugh and talk. After cleaning up we joined the boys in the living room for more football. Yippee :) Lee's dad and Laura came over for a while to visit as well. It was such a wonderful day. I look forward to this holiday every year. There's just something about the food, family, and fun that I can't get enough of. And of course, this year there was a little something new at our table to be thankful for--my little turkey.