Our Thanksgiving

It's always a bit lonely spending holidays away from family...so we try to make the most of them. This is mainly a selfish attempt...since the girls really have no clue. This year was no exception...we followed the tradition we set up last year for Thanksgiving and made reservations for Texas de Brazil. I love this tradition...mainly because I'm not a cook, I can cook decently...but I don't love it enough to cook a big traditional meal for our small family. It was SO busy there this year...and I even heard a lady remark "I guess no one wants to cook this year"...um, lady...you are here too, ya know! lol.

We parked at James' work in downtown Ft Worth, then walked up to the restaurant. I love this part of it...parking 4-5 blocks away....it's such a pretty downtown area and having to walk back helps to fight the fullness! It also gives me a chance to check out places to take pictures of my kids. I loved this little doorway...with the stars and bricks! (Made me feel better since we weren't able to get family pictures this year, such a bummer)For some reason the pictures turned out with this reddish tint to them...must have been the overhang above us... but I just love the way it looks.

The girls surprised us this year with their healthy appetites, especially Aube. This girl hardly ever eats...but she packed it away on Thursday. Maybe it was the tongs...it's always fun to feed yourself with something different Ü. (The tongs are intended to be used to take your piece of meat from the server when he comes around...*sigh*)

Bella really loves to take pictures...everytime I get the camera out she asks for it. So, I had her take a picture of James and I. It's funny because it looks like I'm about to punch my sweetie. But I wasn't, I promise...at least not THAT day.
We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and even got pie for dessert! Well...James got pie...I got cake...but to each her own, right? It's the most filling meal we have all year (just as Thanksgiving should be)...we were smarter this year and stopped before we ACHED with fullness.
After we ate...we walked down this short path to take some pictures. We did this last year, too...this year was a bit shorter...since we started to get followed by some homeless guy. As we are walking fast-ly away I am thinking to myself "where is my spirit of Thanksgiving" but my intuition wasn't telling me to stop and give him a dollar. Eeek.

Our attempt at a family-push-the-timer-run-real-fast-10-seconds-later-picture. We took a picture in this same place last year. It's amazing how much my girls have changed!!

Once again...Bella taking some good pics...I consider it good, since both of our head are in the shot!

This is actually a hard shot to take! And James thinks my feet are really small.
But I love all these feet! And I am thankful for each one of their special spirits. And I love that there's a little gap between Bella and Aube for their little brother-to-be (You know....ColtonMerlinEugeneWilburLarryJohn, duh).

And even tho Holidays are hard without extended family to share it with...I'm grateful for my sweet little, growing family and the happiness they give to my heart!