Thanksgiving 2012

“We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have."

~ Frederick Koeing

I am beyond thankful this year for my husband and daughter and for the life we've built here in Mt. Juliet.  And I'm beyond thankful that when we think of our family, we consider some of our closest friends our family for we've learned that family doesn't have to be defined by blood.  

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.  It turns what we have into enough, and more.  It turns denial into acceptance, chaos into order, confusion into clarity....Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow."

~Melodie Beattie

Mark was off the entire week of Thanksgiving and I was actually off on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  Tuesday was Zoe's last day of school for the break so I had to make sure she looked super cute.  I think you'll agree that she did.....

On Wednesday, Mark and I had our yearly physicals with Dr. Shaw and then Zoe had her six month checkup with her allergist, Dr. Sanders.  I'm so very thankful to say that all appointments came out great!  We had told Zoe that we would stop by Bass Pro to let her see Santa and try to beat the rush - and it would've worked - if Santa came on duty before 3:00 p.m. during the week!  Sheesh!  I did get some cute pics of my girl at Bass Pro......

And, Daddy, I know you want one of these and that seeing Zoe on them makes you want to purchase one; however, the answer is an emphatic "NO!"

We went home and put up the Christmas tree, which was eventful.  Let's just say that some certain person...ahem...Daddy....decided to fall through the spare bathroom ceiling like Clark Griswold.  Thankfully, he was fine, but we did have to pay for a ceiling repair.  Let's just say that he won't be living that one day anytime soon!

And to add insult to injury, the tree wouldn't light completely so we had to go and buy a new one.  Mark's truck looked like Sanford & Son - I was so proud!

Here's our girl putting the first ornament on the tree.....

Now with the fully decorated tree.....

I cooked a rather large meal and I would like to say that Martha Stewart ain't got nothin' on me.....

And Thanksgiving just wouldn't be the same without my Black Friday shopping spree with my bestie, Shelley.  We actually made it a 14 hour shopping spree and it was beyond fun!  I think it wore me out because I slept 12 hours that night and then 12 hours the next night.  However, it's my favorite thing to do and I can't wait to do it again next year!

I'm not sure what Shelley and I will do next year because we've always gone to see each movie for the Twilight saga on the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend.  We carried on that tradition and saw Breaking Dawn - Part 2 and it was, by far, the best one.  I don't know what we'll do without it......

I guess it's time to start a new tradition - right Shelley?