Thanksgiving 2013

For Thanksgiving this year we were lucky enough to have my parents and brother's family here in Ann Arbor . It was such an incredible weekend. Definitely one I will never forget! So grateful Dave had the weekend off so he could be with us too. 

We did a thankful tree with the girls for FHE. Glad Dave and I made the cut. It's hard to compete with cake, Rudolph and blowing bubbles. Cute Brooke made a thankful turkey with them too and my favorite was when Hailey said she was thankful for "herself". Gotta love her honesty. 

Thanksgiving day

 My Mom, Brooke and I spent the morning cooking away in the kitchen. I am so glad I had their help!  We had a lot of fun. We ate a delicious dinner, relaxed, watched football then left the boys home with the kiddos and headed out to do some black friday shopping. People here aren't nearly as crazy at black friday sales than I have previously experienced. I really think people in the midwest have to be the nicest in the whole world! 

I had never cooked a turkey before so I did some research online. Glad I did because it turned out really well (phew) 

two of my favorite kitchen helpers

accidentally cut baby Jackson out of this shot. Sorry Jackson! 

Isn't my brother's family darling? I loved getting to spend more time with them! 

I put Hailey in charge of making place cards. She is doing such a great job writing and is starting to read some. When did she get big enough for that?! Time flies 

Henry Ford Museum- Detroit

I have been wanting to get to the Henry Ford museum for awhile and was glad we were finally able to go. It is pretty incredible (the exhibits and the building itself) They have a lot of fascinating memorabilia of our nation's history. They also had special Christmas and Avatar exhibits going that the girls really enjoyed. 

The presidential limo JFK was riding in when he was assassinated

lego model of Detroit

 mailing letters to Santa. 

this one is always building something. 

The Rosa parks bus

 The girls loved having Jackson around and I think the feeling was mutual. I love seeing them together. Nothing beats cousins! 

Renaissance Center - Detroit 

We ventured into downtown Detroit to visit the "Ren" center. Back in Detroit's prime it was a bustling place but now we pretty much had the place to ourselves. Detroit makes me a little sad. It's so empty now. You can tell it once was a beautiful and booming place but since the economic crash it has changed dramatically. My parents were shocked how much it has changed since they lived here 30 years ago. 

We were glad we decided not to wait in line to see Santa at the Ford museum because the Santa at the Ren center had no line whatsoever. He was so cute with the girls. I think he was happy to finally have some kids there to see him. 

 taking a nap with Santa 

I thought if I went with her Nora wouldn't be as afraid but I was wrong. She walked around the rest of the day saying "I don't like him, Santa Claus".  Maybe next year. 

Window to Canada. Detroit is the only place in the U.S. you can look south and see Canada. 

It was freezing but we ventured out to the river walk to check it out. That is Windsor Canada in the background 

caught this without Dave knowing, kind of love it (and him of course) 

Rivalry game

One of the  highlights of the weekend was definitely going to the Michigan vs. Ohio State football game. It is one of the biggest rivalries in college football and the energy in the stadium was incredible! It was hands down the most intense football game I've ever been to. Michigan ended up losing by one lousy point. I kind of thought we would get killed though so I am glad we at least were close. Urban Meyer after the game deemed it "an instant classic" and I would have to agree. I will never forget being at that game. Thanks Mom & Dad for taking us. The tickets were not cheap!