Thanksgiving weekend

This post is long overdue but late is better than never...

Thanksgiving Day is not a holiday with which I grew up, consequently I still struggle with incorporating it as a family tradition. Throughout the years we have only celebrated at our home once, mostly we have traveled out of state to visit the Ingrams or crashed the Fischers. This year we did not do either and we turned it into a four day festival.

First we celebrated with grandpa Tim by having a special, yet not traditional dinner consisting of Arroz Relleno con Patacones.

Then on Thrusday we went for the prescribed turkey dinner (and then some) at the Barnards. Since dinner was not scheduled until 5 pm we had the whole day to play. In the morning, we all went to the movie theater to watch Madagascar 2. It was so much fun that I am thinking it will become our new thanksgiving day tradition. Following the movie we had lunch, then opened our thanksgiving jar.

Inside the jar there was lots to be thankful for. Some were simple things like coupons, toys, fish, slime, iboprufen and shot blocks ... Others were definetely a testimony to God's grace in our life. As a family were thankful for good health and no injuries, the beautiful Fall weather, Mike's job and the opportunity to help other people heal and God's abundant provission. Gabriel was particulary thankful for his bike, new fishing pole and camelbak and his Sissy and Doménica for papi (daddy).

On Friday we celebrated again with JP, Claudia and Sofi. We hosted another non conventional (yet delicious) dinner and spent the whole day together. This particular day was memorable, not only because of the good company but because I (okay, I will admit aided by Claudia) became the Lady of Catan. I can only recall winning once before!

No matter the festivity, we always like to do a holiday hike and this Thanksgiving was no exception. For all time's sake we headed to Geronimo Trail on 20th St (near our old house). The weather was perfect, the view rewarding and Gabriel hiked the entire trail on his own. This time the emergency back pack even stayed home. And this was , in short, how we gave thanks for 2008. Now some pictures :

Gabriel at his school Thanksgiving performace

Gabriel with his hiking gear Having a treat at the top of the mountain
Neni brought her friend George out for a hike I almost forgot we also went to the zoo that weekend (it's been so long...)
Our thanksgiving masterpiece!