First Thanksgiving

On Thanksgiving Day, we got up and tried to quickly finish getting packed & ready for our trip to Florida. (We no longer go down on Wednesday night after work....it is just not worth it to fight the traffic! Have been driving on Thanksgiving Day for years now, and not too many folks on the road!). Mackenzie was decked out in her little turkey day outfit and happily kicking her legs in her bouncy seat while Brannon & I ran around trying not to forget any critical baby gear.

And much to my surprise, we made it on the road around 8:30, only 30 minutes after my goal....not bad with a newborn & it being her first trip! Anyways, we made good time (see point above about no traffic!) and only had to stop once to feed/change her about halfway down.

We got to Meemi (Brannon's mom has chosen a name!) and Poppee's house and my parents came over for Thanksgiving dinner. Uncle Jake was in from Washington & Lee - so all our immediate family was there except for Aunt Natalie :( We finished the evening with a family celebration for my birthday. And as it goes for a new mother....I had to hold Mackenz while I blew out my candles since she wanted to be held by her mommy. I guess it reminds me that this truly is a new phase in my life! Mackenzie did pretty good overall, but with all the hub bub (is that how you spell it??) she did have a really hard time settling down that night to go to bed. Maybe because she passed out in Meemi's arms earlier in the evening?

It was a great meal & a great day spent with family. We have so much to be thankful for this year - a healthy baby, health for us & loved ones, good job for Brannon that allows me to stay home, loving grandparents (who live in the same town.....everyone gets to see baby), 5 solid years of marriage for us & both sets of grandparents married 35+ years, and so much more. I feel so blessed and really couldn't ask for more! God has been good to us.