Happy Thanksgiving - 2025

We had a fabulous Thanksgiving this year, full of family, festivities, and delicious food. It also ended up being the perfect transition into the Christmas season.

Our celebrations kicked off on Wednesday night, Thanksgiving Eve, when Alison baked five pies. She made a pumpkin, lemon meringue, coconut cream, chocolate cream, and an apple pie. It was a lot of work, but she genuinely loves making sure everyone gets their favorite pie on Thanksgiving. While she baked, Madeline and I handled dinner duties… though that mostly meant keeping Mads entertained and making a last-minute run to three different stores to track down one extra can of coconut milk. We were determined to get Alison everything she needed for all those pies.

Blake and Debbie stopped by, and Debbie jumped in to help finish the pies while Blake and I followed Madeline around the house, happily playing with whatever toy she handed us. She is at such a fun age, and she truly has all of us wrapped around her tiny little finger.

Thanksgiving morning started off strong. I headed out for a long training run, a 10k on the schedule as I work toward a half marathon in January. It felt good to move before diving into a day full of food. When I got back, Alison and Madeline were curled up watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, one of my favorite traditions. Madeline showed some mild interest in a few balloons, but she is still a bit young to fully appreciate it. Someday I want to take her to New York to see the parade in person. Alison made fresh rolls for dinner, and we made sure Mads got a solid nap before the big day continued.

At about 1:30 in the afternoon we headed to Nana and Papa’s house. They had a big turkey smoking on the Traeger, and the spread was incredible. Madeline was especially excited about the mac and cheese and the rolls. She is in a phase where any time we say “roll,” she repeats it back and then rolls her hands, something she learned from school, and it is adorable every single time.

We enjoyed a slow and cozy Thanksgiving meal together and then took a few minutes to go around the table and share the things we were thankful for, which is always grounding.

After dinner we cleaned up and turned on The Grinch, chatting while the kids half watched and half played. Madeline had a blast playing with her cousins and spent a surprising amount of time chasing the cat around the house. She is in a heavy cat phase right now, with lots of enthusiastic meowing, and it cracks us up.

Then it was time for pie. Alison’s pies were a huge hit. Several people had four or five slices just so they could sample them all. We were all absolutely stuffed.

Friday was intentionally slow and relaxed, which was exactly what we needed. Madeline kept bringing her polar bear suit to Alison, which is usually her way of asking to go outside. Alison told her she would be too warm wearing it inside, and Mads kept saying “go,” so we took the hint and headed out for a walk. She was thrilled.

Later we made homemade pasta, meatballs, and sauce for dinner. Jon and Amanda came over, and afterward we watched Bull Durham, one of my all time favorites. It remains endlessly quotable. It was a great way to spend Black Friday.

Saturday morning was Santa picture day. We met up with Kristin and her girls and Meg and Goldie, and the photos turned out so good they deserve their own post.

Afterward we headed home for Madeline's nap before picking up Skylee and Anna to take them Christmas shopping. Each year we take them out so they can pick gifts for their mom, and it has become one of our favorite traditions. This year we went to Fashion Place and let them loose to pick anything within the budget. They chose some really thoughtful gifts. They were proud of their haul, and we cannot wait to see Kristin’s reaction.

From there we headed downtown to meet Kristin, Blake, and Debbie for dinner at the Little America Coffee Shop. Always a classic. After dinner we crossed the street to see the Picture Windows at the Grand America. The kids always love this tradition, and this year Madeline was especially captivated. She toddled along with her cousins, and watching Skylee hold her hands and walk with her melted my heart.

This year’s theme was Songs of the Season, with each window dedicated to a different Christmas song. There was also a challenge to find Tux the Penguin in each window, which Anna took extremely seriously. At the end they had the giant gingerbread house and the little toy shop, which of course is dangerous territory. We ended up bringing home our own Steiff version of Tux the Penguin and a little noise maker Madeline adored. It was, as always, a magical outing.

Afterward we drove to Blake and Debbie’s to pick up Tex, who had spent the evening hanging out with Blu. Madeline had a great time playing with Papa, throwing tennis balls back and forth, while the dogs stayed outside so they did not bowl her over trying to get the ball. It was so sweet watching her play. She also got some snuggles with Nana while they petted the cat together.

On Sunday night, Kristin and her girls watched Madeline so Alison and I could sneak away for a little date night and go see Wicked: For Good. It felt nice to have some time just the two of us, and the movie was fantastic. It was a little long but very well done.

It was a full, festive, heartwarming Thanksgiving weekend that left us grateful, recharged, and ready for the Christmas season ahead.