Thanksgiving 2015

This was our ninth and last Wisconsin Thanksgiving.  Out of all the years we've been here, we've only left once to spend Thanksgiving with family.  Our Wisconsin Thanksgivings have been characterized by Turkey Bowls, lots of relaxing, delicious food, and lots of friends-and this year was no different.  

Our cooking preparations began the day before.  This year I had some help in the kitchen, it was great!

Richard and Marshall played in our ward turkey bowl that morning.  No pictures to document, but it was a hit.  Marshall had the best time and Richard only came home with one injury.  

Thanksgiving dinner was at the Hassell's home.  We are so glad they stuck around for us this year.  The dinner was amazing, but the company of friends was even better.  A wonderful, wonderful night. 

The Bradfords, Bridges, and Pitts also joined us.  The Bradfords and Bridges were in the branch with us, so we don't see them much any more.  It was so nice to spend an evening with them.  

I love these women!  They are some of the best!

This is my most favorite picture from the day.  The Hassells were one of the first people to see Marshall after he was born.  Max wasn't born until after we had Bridget, so for 2 1/2 years Marshall pretty much had Tim and Anna all to himself.  Up until Marshall was almost three he would just let Tim cradle him in his arms and Marshall would just snuggle in and rub Tim's beard.  Right after dinner I was delighted to see Marshall plop himself on Tim's lap, just like old times.  We love the Hassells.  :)

And last, but not least, here is our Thankful Turkey.  We were not very diligent about adding feathers each night, so it is lacking.  Also, look closely, and you will see it has a sad face.  Bridget was the one who made our turkey this year and drew him with a sad face.  She also drew red spots on the back side of him.  She told me she made the turkey sad and sick.  Silly girl.  

Visit From Grandpa Bob and Grandma Becky

The middle of November Richard and Marshall drove to Kansas City and met Richard's parents there for the BYU game.  I am just now realizing I have no pictures to document that trip...I'll have to get on that.  Anyway, the day after the game, all four of them came up to Milwaukee and we got an entire week with Richard's parents.  This was such a great visit with them.  Bob hadn't been out here in two years and he hadn't seen Rachel for a year and a half.  It was so nice to have a week with them here and we sure enjoyed their company.  

We wasted no time and pulled out the games.  

The day before they arrived was Becky's birthday, so we celebrated a day late with a delicious cinnamon roll cake.  

We treated them to a Sprecher's Brewery tour.  Our favorite sodas currently are:  cream soda, orange dream, and their seasonal cherry cranberry soda.  Yum.  

We spent another afternoon at the children's museum.  We practically had the place to ourselves and it was great!

One of our favorite rooms was the news station.  Everyone had a ball, especially Rachel.  :)

You should also take note of Rachel's shoes.  She is out of this phase now, but for a good month she walked around wearing these two mismatched shoes.  

Leake Family Grocery Store.  :)

Love this view.  I will miss it.  

We also pulled out the Christmas decorations one night.  The kids were so happy.  

One of our last nights with them was Organ Piper Pizza.  Always a good time.  

A couple of years ago our friends gave us snowballs made out of yarn.  I believe this is our third Christmas with them and the kids LOVE them.  We had two snowball fights in the living room with Grandma and Grandpa.  Great memories!

One afternoon Bob, Becky, and I enjoyed a kid-free tour of the Pabst Mansion.  It was gorgeous and so festive.  

I am pretty sure this wraps up our visitors until it is time to move.  We have had a great streak of visitors since March and it has been wonderful.  We love our family!

My Favorite Tree

For four falls I have been able to admire the gingko tree in our front yard.  I love that tree.  The leaves go from green to gold in about three days, and then several days after that, the leaves completely fall off within another three days.  I love to see our yard blanketed in gold leaves and I always wait as long as I can before I need to rake them up.  

I waited with great anticipation this year for my golden gingko leaves.  It was a bit disappointing this year because the leaves weren't their usual bright gold, but still a lovely yellow.  The leaves had finished falling by the middle of November, so I took the girls out to snap some photos before we needed to rake them up.  Richard and Marshall were out of town, so they couldn't join in on the fun, but we had a great time!

These two girls are the cutest!  Love our golden leaves!