Thanks-Givens-ing 2013

One of my favorite holidays of the year, Thanksgiving (or in our house - Thanks-Givens-ing) just passed and it was everything we had hoped for and THEN some! It was Hailey's first, so we were excited to share in the goodness of the day. Although she couldn't partake in the deliciousness of it all, as she's still a strict milk-a-vore, she could certainly join in on the family events as we made our way to not one, not two, but ALL THREE family households.

To start the day, we made sure to ease into it so we grabbed Hailey from her crib at 6am when she woke up and brought her in our room to snuggle. Think she takes after her dad much?

Like father, Like daughter

 Once we felt sufficiently lazy we got up and started making the dishes we were bringing to our dinners. My mom's family has always always always had cheesy grits on the menu at big dinners like this and this year we were bringing them! I had no idea until probably college that pretty much no one on the west coast knows what grits are, as they're much more of a southern dish but let me tell you, they are dee-lish. And no I'm not biased one bit even though I've been eating them with my family ever since I could eat solid foods. OK, maybe just a tad biased.

Cheesy Grits in the making!

 Once food was assembled and cooked, we got dressed. Well, Joe and I wore whatever, but Hailey got dressed in an adorable ensemble that her Auntie Carolyn knit for her. Check out those booties!

Pretty in Pink!

 Then we were off to house #1 - The Van Nuys Family Thanksgiving (my mom's family) As one of four kids, my mom's got a big, loud, wonderful family and this year everyone was there! It was perfect.

Hanging out in the yard

Mom and Me - Happy Much? Ah-Yep

Aunt Jenny & Hailey - Look at that face! 

Did I tell you we had a big family? We do and I love it! So great to see everyone. Even my cousin Seth and his pregnant wife Jamie made it and Jamie was literally 2 days away from her due date! Hailey can't wait to meet her cousin Felix!

The Van Nuys Family Thanksgiving 2013

 After we were sufficiently full, it was time to hit the road and head to Joe's parents house for Thanksgiving #2 with the Givens family!

Hailey, Auntie Marianne and Joe

What a spread!

Tons of food. Good thing we weren't full or anything by this point. Oh wait… Meh, didn't stop us from diving in!

Daddy, Hailey & Salad on Hailey's Head

Hanging with the fam - please note Grandpa, Uncle Jeff and Cousin Yosef are ALL playing on their phones

It was so great seeing our nephew Emil around Hailey. He's such a cutie and he's totally in love with his cousin. Adorableness overload.

Hailey & Emil

Uncle Jeff holding Hailey

Lots of fun seeing everyone and Hailey loved all the snuggles she got :)

After dinner we popped over to my dad & Carol's house to say hi. There was NO way we could eat another bite of food at this point, but we wanted to squeeze in one last visit. Unfortunately I was a bit tired and didn't take many pictures at that point, but I did manage to get this one shot in...

Hailey & Gramps

Thanks-Givens-ing Success! We have an excessive amount to be grateful for this year - a beautiful healthy daughter, an amazing marriage, great friends, and an incredible family. Basically our cup runneth-overeth. Blessed.