Thanks(giving) for the Memories

We had a lovely weekend in NH with Mike's family for Thanksgiving. I didn't realize it beforehand, but it was the first time all four granddaughters have been together at once. It was WILD and there were periods of four-way screeching, but it was mostly joyous screeching and everyone had a marvelous time.



We also had two other big first-time experiences over the weekend: Maggie went to her first movie in a theater and we went to a tree farm and cut down our Christmas tree ourselves!

Now Ana is five and a pro at movie theaters, but we've never taken Maggie to one, mostly because of Kate. What to do with that younger kid who will certainly want to spend the movie running up and down the aisles throwing popcorn?? So when Jeannette mentioned that Ana really wanted to see Tangled, the new Disney Rapunzel movie, I jumped at the chance to take Maggie along too. She LOVED it. She was excellent, quiet and rapt, inhaling her popcorn and sucking down my root beer. Both girls ended up sitting in Jane's lap for the last third or so of the movie! Not because it was scary; just because they could, I think. After the movie was over, Maggie had an emotional breakdown in the hallway outside while we were trying to get her coat on... She said she wanted to stay there forever and ever! We're keeping an eye out for something else she might like that Mike can take her to see sometime soon, poor thing!

Then yesterday the four of us went with Mike's parents to a tree farm near their house. The girls had a fantastic time running around looking at trees and eating free cookies and hot cocoa. It was pretty cold but there wasn't more than just a dusting of snow on the ground, so it was fairly easy. I'm glad we didn't go alone though because it would've taken us A LOT longer if we'd had to chase two kids running in two different directions through a maze of trees while trying to choose a tree, cut it down, carry it out, and tie it to the roof of the car! When the girls can help with the sawing and the hauling, then... well, then we'll make them go get the tree by themselves and we'll stay home and drink coffee in our pjs!! Ha!




Eating cookies and stomping on a patch of snow




Pretending to be presents under our tree


Kate chatting with some other little girl


Manly men cut down trees in the woods






Eagle Scouts know how to tie excellent knots!