The Day After Thanksgiving

Instead of sleeping late on Friday we got up at the crack of dark and headed to the hospital. Abigail was scheduled for an endoscopy to review the progress of the meds she has been on and to see just what is going on inside her.



 I've said it before and I'll say it a lot more, it's routine for us. Needles, IV, sedation... but it's never easy. It just plain exhausting. When we get home that day I have such a wipe out feeling that's hard to describe.

She stresses forever the night before about what "friend" she wants to bring the next morning.  I loved this time how when I went to carry her to the car in the morning. (she usually stays asleep for the ride to the hospital) she said half asleep... "do you have Twinkles and Black Bear?"  And then went back to sleep on my shoulder.




 But... Gloria, our favorite IV nurse was there with a huge smile on her face. And Maureen was there for all of her prep care.



 We had the 'good' anesthesiologist (the one that looks like for sure he's a grandpa), and the cutest young Chinese post op care nurse. So it all went so well! ~ This time Abigail surprised us by not sleeping off the sedation for an hour like usual. By the time we got to Recovery she was already away in a very groggy, not making sense way. She kept trying to sit up and was rattling off all kinds of things that were crazy and not her. We had to keep telling her to lay down and take a nap. She was so cute. She kept saying, okay, going under the blanket and then popping right back up. ~ We will find out on Tuesday the results of the biopsy so I'll fill you in then! I am so grateful for an amazing Children's Hospital in Hartford, the best internationally known pediatric gastroenterologist, (here too) and caring nurses!

Our 'we're back home' exhaustion picture.  

Thanksgiving Morning

Nestled among the Thanksgiving ~ness on our family room mantle are three little Christmas packages. We started this tradition waaaay back and I'm so glad we did.



Three ornaments in those packages. One for each and one to share as sisters.



These ornaments are for "their tree" which goes up promptly on Thanksgiving morning while the parade is on.

And even though the girls opened them up right before we left to go here it is a special tradition non the less. When they see those ornaments on the Thanksgiving mantle, the Christmas season has officaly begun!















"My Little Pony" for Anna



And a Santa cupcake for Abigail



And a Bible Time bear to share!

Thanksgiving... it was beautiful

I am so very thankful for my little family.  And for my parents warm home.  For my Moms cooking and decorating and making a holiday perfect.



She's not a baby on my hip anymore but I love her so.  And my crazy fun, adorable, loving niece.



I am so thankful for my two big brothers.



And this happy baby in our family.  And the look on his sisters face because, well that's how we all feel about him.



For cousin love.  There is nothing like it in the world!







For the prettiest dining table.  For sparkling crystal, tiny butter dishes, those green water glasses that were my Grandmothers...







I'm thankful there is still someone to rock to sleep when the holiday just gets too long for him.



For this family and even Abigail sticking out her tongue.



For Grace and the relationship I have with my Lord that I love with my whole heart.



I'm thankful for this favorite photo of the evening ~ candles lower, tea kettle on the stove whistling, my brothers face exhausted and full, empty wine glasses, dinosaur sippy cup on the table for baby cousin, and Grandpas's arms.



For the good food (Can you believe how rude I was?  The only food picture I took was of my carmel apple pie when my Mom cooked for a week and a half... literally)



And can I just say one more time ~ for this family, a gift from God.  When I look at us I am shocked at what the Lord gave to Scott and I, how He entrusted us, and just how wonderfully differnent it is from what we talked, planned, and dreamed about when we wed at 22.  Praise God for whom all blessings flow.  Praise Him all creatures here below.  Praise God above thee Heavenly Hosts.  Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.  



(oh and of course Turkey smocked dresses because well, I love a dress with smocking.)

Christmas In Boston (part 2) Tea at the Four Seasons

On Saturday we had such a wonderful afternoon together.  I loved my time with my girls but mostly I loved the sweet surprise Scott gave us...

Tea at the Four Seasons

We left our hotel early so that we could walk around the Boston Public Gardens. It's so beautiful there. This one is blurry because it wasn't posed. I was trying to capture it before it was over. I love this photo!



Abigail wanted to get in on the cuddling







It was a beautiful day (and I love love love love Anna's happy face here)



but it sure was cold!



On our walk to the Boston Gardens it was very windy and I put a hat on Abigail. She's never had a problem with bundling up before but man, she did not want to wear that hat. (I think it is because I ran to a Janey and Jack store to buy the girls these flower headbands when Scott told me about tea at the Four Seasons) There were tears and she was just plain unhappy after that. When a sweet woman offered to take a picture with my camera I knew I wasn't going to get a real Abigail smile that is usually ear to ear. But a photo of my little family... yeah!



The park with its beautiful bridges was almost empty that pretty day. It was so great to have it all to ourselves! (Anna, I adore that coat on you)



After not wanting to wear a hat she settled for her crazy earmuffs!



Old trees and curved walkways make me happy!



We were here back in 2013



And anything that says 1837 too!



But it was time to cross the street to a tea house that overlooked the Boston Gardens... ready for this?



This place was amazing and I felt funny taking my camera out.  So I only took a few and then tucked it away.  We left our phones tucked away too so that we could soak in the moments.







There was one small sad moment for Abigail who couldn't eat the treats that were brought to the table. It is very rare that we will ever eat out because it is just too hard for her.  But it's only a moment.



But stirring her sugar stick into her pink tea seemed to do the trick. (along with all of the goodies I brought from home)



Georgetown cupcakes



This was one fancy tea!







And such a wonderful memory to store away forever!



We had a brisk walk back to our hotel and then hopped into the car to drive home.

It was short but it was more than lovely.  I love the city in the cold weather.  Crisp air, lights, romance and girls in pretty coats.  Boston, we'll be back!